Igor Jesus reacts after Nottingham Forest's 2-2 draw with Real Betis in the Europa LeagueGetty Images

Igor Jesus has scored four times in two starts - two against Swansea in the Carabao Cup and a brace against Real Betis in the Europa League

At a glance

  • Cedric Bakambu fires Real Betis into lead inside 15 minutes

  • Igor Jesus, starting in place of Chris Wood, turns it around with two quick goals

  • Callum Hudson-Odoi hits post from a corner with Forest leading 2-1

  • Ex-Manchester United winger Antony equalises in 85th minute

Neil Johnston
BBC Sport journalist

Nottingham Forest were denied a triumphant return to European action when Antony scored an 85th-minute equaliser for Real Betis in the Europa League.

Forest's first match in European competition for 29 years got off to a bad start when DR Congo forward Cedric Bakambu fired the hosts into a 15th-minute lead.

In a highly-entertaining game, Brazil forward Igor Jesus equalised inside four minutes from close range after a clever pass by captain Morgan Gibbs-White.

And Jesus, a £10m signing from Botafogo in July, was celebrating again in the 23rd minute after heading his side into the lead from Douglas Luiz's corner.

Postecoglou raised eyebrows before kick-off by dropping Chris Wood - whose goals last season helped propel Forest into Europe - to the bench and promoting Jesus to the starting line-up.

And Jesus was denied a hat-trick when his 32nd-minute attempt was blocked after Elliot Anderson's jinking run past a couple of Betis players.

Anderson was outstanding in midfield, while Jesus was a constant threat up front but Forest, who hit the post through Callum Hudson-Odoi in the 33rd minute, were denied victory when former Manchester United player Antony scored late on.

Forest finished seventh under Nuno Espirito Santo last season to qualify for the Conference League but were later promoted to the Europa League, while Crystal Palace were relegated to the Conference League for breaching multi-club ownership rules.

Analysis: Postecoglou still waiting for first win

This was a night Forest fans had waited decades for, with around 5,000 in Spain for the 'I was there' moment.

Some of those present were in Munich and Madrid in 1979 and 1980 when Forest beat Malmo and Hamburg respectively to win back-to-back European Cups under Brian Clough.

Others in Seville were at Yeovil Town, Scunthorpe United and Hartlepool United for demoralising League One defeats in 2005-06.

On Wednesday, there was plenty for them to be proud about before Forest were frustrated by Antony's late equaliser.

Postecoglou, of course, won this competition with Tottenham last season and the Forest boss looked to have got his tactics right on a night his players played with flair and an adventurous spirit in the first half.

But it was a different story after Douglas Luiz, who had a hamstring problem, was replaced at the start of the second half for Dilane Bakwa.

Forest's attacking statistics were impressive with the visitors registering 16 attempts - six on target - to Betis' nine (four on target).

Unfortunately for Forest, they could not hang on for what would have been an eye-catching win.

Instead Postecoglou remains without a win after four games in charge, although this was Forest's most positive display since the Australian's appointment.

Postecoglou's first four Forest games have all been away from home but they return to the City Ground when Sunderland visit on Saturday (17:30 BST).

The question is: will Jesus keep his place ahead of Wood, who scored 20 Premier League goals last season?

What's next?

Nottingham Forest return to England to prepare for Saturday's home game with Sunderland (17:30 BST) and then host Danish side Midtjylland in the Europa League next Thursday (20:00) - their first competitive European game at the City Ground since 19 March 1996.

Real Betis' next Europa League game is away to Ludogorets Razgrad in Bulgaria next Thursday (17:45 BST).

Player of the match

Igor Jesus
8.66
7 Antony
6.46
4 Natan
5.31
10 A. Ezzalzouli
5.27
11 C. Bakambu
5.27
14 S. Amrabat
5.13
20 G. Lo Celso
5.09
6 Sergi Altimira
5.02
8 Pablo Fornals
4.97
40 Ángel Ortiz
4.95
25 Pau López
4.91
16 V. Gómez
4.89
23 J. Firpo
4.82
21 Marc Roca
4.69
17 Rodrigo Riquelme
4.66
19 C. Hernández
4.58
12 R. Rodríguez
4.49
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