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Igor Jesus Ends Forest's 30-Year European Away Drought

BBC Sport European Football •
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Igor Jesus needed just 82 seconds to end Nottingham Forest's 30-year wait for an away win in Europe. The Brazilian forward, who joined Forest from Botafogo this summer, made an immediate impact after coming on as a substitute. His quick goal not only secured the victory but also marked a historic moment for the club.

Jesus's journey to the Premier League began in Brazil's Serie B with Coritiba, where he helped secure promotion at age 18. After struggling at the higher level, he moved to the UAE with Shabab Al-Ahli, scoring 46 goals in 92 appearances over four seasons. His return to Brazil with Botafogo proved pivotal, as he led them to both Serie A and Copa Libertadores titles last season.

His rapid rise caught the attention of European clubs, with scouting departments monitoring his performances closely. The 23-year-old, who made his Brazil debut last October, has been compared to Didier Drogba by South American football expert Tim Vickery. His ability to deliver in crucial moments, demonstrated by scoring against Paris St-Germain in the Club World Cup, suggests Forest may have secured a genuine game-changer.