Gibbs-White misses penalty as Nottingham Forest draws 0-0 with Sturm Graz in Europa League

By Canadian Press on November 6, 2025.

Morgan Gibbs-White missed a penalty as Nottingham Forest was held 0-0 by Sturm Graz in the Europa League on Thursday.

The Premier League club wasted several chances to give its new manager Sean Dyche a second straight win in Europe′s second-tier competition.

Gibbs-White had his opportunity to put the visitors ahead in the first half but his low shot from the spot was saved by goalkeeper Oliver Christensen.

In the final minute, Nicolás Domínguez hit the woodwork from outside the area and Forest had to settle for a draw that came after a 2-0 win over Porto two weeks ago in which Gibbs-White converted a penalty.

Midtjylland tops table

Danish club Midtjylland struck three times in a span of seven minutes to keep a perfect record by handing Celtic a 3-1 loss, the Scottish club’s first under interim coach Martin O’Neill, and top the table midway through the league phase.

Martin Erlić broke the deadlock with a header past Kasper Schmeichel after the Danish international goalkeeper produced some nice saves in the 33rd. Midtjylland’s 19-year-old forward Mikel Gogorza set up the opener and doubled the advantage himself just two minutes later with a curling shot. Djú Franculino added one more to put the result beyond doubt.

Substitute Reo Hatate netted a penalty kick for Celtic late in the second half.

First win, first point

Utrecht scored its first goal of the competition through Miguel Rodriguez, which was enough to earn a 1-1 draw with Porto even though the Dutch team was reduced to 10 men in the 66th minute.

Salzburg earned its first win by Go Ahead Eagles 2-0 at home.

Pablo Durán netted twice and Sergi Dominguez added an own goal as Celta Vigo won its fifth match in a row in all competitions by beating Dinamo Zagreb 3-0 away.

Freiburg rallied for a 3-1 victory at Nice, the fourth straight loss for the French side.

Tensions in Birmingham

Later Thursday, Aston Villa played Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Europa League amid boosted security measures including more than 700 police officers.

“We know protests by different groups will take place on the day and we have plans in place which balance the right to protest with our duty to protect all communities in Birmingham,” police said.

Various pro-Palestinian groups plan to protest the visit of the Israeli club.

Maccabi fans are banned from the game after West Midlands Police deemed the match at Villa Park to be high risk and cited violence and hate crimes that took place when Maccabi Tel Aviv played at Ajax in Amsterdam last season.

The ban attracted widespread criticism including from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who said it was the wrong decision.

Pointless Rangers meets Roma while another team with three wins from three matches, Lyon, plays Real Betis in Seville.

Fiorentina beaten

In the Conference League, Mainz rallied to beat Fiorentina 2-1 in the first game for the Italian club’s interim coach Daniele Galloppa, who took over after Stefano Pioli was fired on Tuesday with the Viola at the bottom of Serie A. Fiorentina lost consecutive Conference League finals before reaching the semifinals last season.

Later, Crystal Palace hosts Alkmaar.

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Karel Janicek, The Associated Press

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