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9 April, 1980

Victory over Ajax opens semi lead

On this day in 1980 Forest beat Ajax in the European Cup semi-final.

Iconic match memories

Landmark European night
Ajax players Schoenaker and Lerby appealing during Ajax against Nottingham Forest in the 1980 European Cup
Ajax players Schoenaker and Lerby appealing during Ajax against Nottingham Forest in the 1980 European Cup Image: Koen Suyk / Anefo, Nationaal Archief / CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Nottingham Forest gave themselves a strong European Cup semi-final platform by beating Ajax 2-0 at the City Ground.

Trevor Francis scored in the first half with a left-footed finish, giving Forest the breakthrough against one of European football’s most famous names. Ajax brought history and reputation, but Forest handled the first leg with control and made the occasion feel like another night they were ready for.

Ajax players Schoenaker and Lerby appealing during Ajax against Nottingham Forest in the 1980 European Cup
Ajax players Schoenaker and Lerby appealing during Ajax against Nottingham Forest in the 1980 European Cup Image: Koen Suyk / Anefo, Nationaal Archief / CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

John Robertson added the second from the penalty spot after the break, giving Forest a result that carried real authority. The 2-0 scoreline mattered because it gave Brian Clough’s side a clear advantage before the return leg in Amsterdam.

In knockout football, clean sheets and margins both carry weight, and Forest left Nottingham with both. For the City Ground crowd, this was another night when Forest looked at home on the European stage.

The win moved them closer to a second straight European Cup final. Ajax won the return leg 1-0 in Amsterdam, but Forest went through 2-1 on aggregate and kept the defence of their European crown alive.

Extended Highlights

Sources

UEFA; Nottingham Forest official site

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Notts County 0–2 Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest 3–0 Blackburn
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Vitória SC 1–1 Nottingham Forest
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Portimonense 1–2 Nottingham Forest Sporting CP 4–1 Nottingham Forest
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Udinese 1–0 Nottingham Forest Barcelona 1–0 Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest 2–1 Bayer Leverkusen
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Nottingham Forest 2–0 Stade Brestois 29
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Nottingham Forest 0–1 Leeds
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Nottingham Forest 0–2 Leeds
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Liverpool 2–2 Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest 0–0 Tottenham
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Aston Villa 1–2 Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest 0–1 Coventry
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Crystal Palace 14:00 Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest 16:30 Arsenal
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Ipswich 20:00 Nottingham Forest
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Brentford 15:00 Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest 17:30 Manchester City
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Bournemouth 15:00 Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest 20:00 Chelsea
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Hull City 20:00 Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest 15:00 Brighton
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Sunderland 15:00 Nottingham Forest
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Nottingham Forest 15:00 Everton
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Manchester United 16:30 Nottingham Forest
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Newcastle 19:30 Nottingham Forest
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Manchester City 15:00 Nottingham Forest
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Chelsea 15:00 Nottingham Forest
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