Matz Sels once again proved to be Nottingham Forest’s savior in penalty kicks as they advanced to the semi-finals of the FA Cup for the first time in 34 years.
The Belgian goalie denied Jack Hinshelwood and Diego Gomez in the shootout, helping Forest win 4-3 on penalties after a goalless stalemate at the Amex Stadium against Brighton.
Sels had previously made crucial saves in penalty shootouts against Exeter and Ipswich in the earlier rounds of the competition.
This time around, he had Forest fans celebrating like it was 1991, the last time they made it to the semi-finals under Brian Clough.
Stuart Pearce, who was part of that historic 1991 team, was present at the Amex Stadium providing radio commentary and appeared to be in good health after a recent health scare.
Pearce, a penalty shootout specialist in his playing days, must have enjoyed the drama of the shootout, if not the uneventful 120 minutes that preceded it.
Although Brighton dominated possession, they failed to create meaningful chances, to which Forest seemed content to let them have the ball.
It was far from a repeat of Forest's 7-0 victory over Brighton in their recent Premier League clash, but Forest did manage to create the first notable opportunity when Taiwo Awoniyi was put through on goal by Ola Aina after 15 minutes.
Awoniyi's shot was saved by Brighton's keeper Bart Verbruggen, with Neco Williams unable to convert the rebound.
Yasin Ayari tried his luck from distance, but his shot was deflected wide by Murillo.
Pervis Estupinan's long-range effort forced an unorthodox save from Sels.
In the second half, Georginio Rutter and Hinshelwood missed chances for Brighton, while Gibbs-White's powerful shot was tipped over by Verbruggen.
Substitutes Callum Hudson-Odoi and Anthony Elanga injected energy into the game, leading to Forest being awarded a penalty after a foul on Elliot Anderson.
However, the referee reversed his decision following a VAR check, deeming there was not enough contact to warrant a penalty.
Gibbs-White then set up Elanga, whose effort was blocked by Verbruggen.
As extra time loomed, Forest pressed for a winner, with Gibbs-White and Elanga coming close to breaking the deadlock.
The match ultimately went to a penalty shootout, where Sels' heroics ensured Forest's victory by saving shots from Hinshelwood and Gomez before Ryan Yates sealed the win.