In the 12th official game of the season, FC Porto conceded their first defeat of 2025/26. In England, where they are still unable to win, Porto conceded two goals in penalties, had one disallowed for offside and lost 2-0 to Nottingham Forest. With this result in the third matchday of the Europa League, the Dragons are no longer leading the table with only victories and are now 15th, but with the same points as the eighth.

Diogo Costa, Pablo Rosario, and Samu replaced Cláudio Ramos, Gabri Veiga, and Deniz Gül in the starting team, and the first chance of the match came after 15 minutes of mutual study between the two teams. Following another corner and another chance for Hudson-Odoi, the ball struck Jan Bednarek's arm and Radu Petrescu gave a penalty.

Stepping up to the spot, Gibbs-White chose the opposite side to Diogo Costa and opened the scoring at City Ground (1-0). Trailing for the first time since the arrival of the Italian coach, Francesco Farioli's men kept possession and kept their cool, even when Igor Jesus used his elbow to hit Alan Varela in a very hard tackle that only earned him a yellow card.

Five minutes later, the Argentinian midfielder shot from distance and Matz Sels had to fly to save it. Just before half time, Alberto Costa dribbled and crossed, Francisco Moura cushioned the ball and Rosario narrowly missed the target. At the start of the second half, Bednarek put the ball into the net, but Samu was offside before the goal that would have levelled the score.

Martim Fernandes,  Gabri Veiga and William Gomes replaced Francisco Moura, Alan Varela and Borja Sainz, and the Spanish midfielder forced Sels to save what would have been a direct corner. On the other hand, Martim Fernandes tackled an opponent inside the area. Called to the penalty spot, Igor Jesus kept his cool and made it 2-0. Before the final whistle, there was still time for Zaidu and Rodrigo Mora to go in, replacing Alberto Costa and Pepê.