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FERREIRAS, PORTUGAL – JULY 22: Arnaud Calimuendo of Nottingham Forest celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal during the pre-season friendly match between Blackburn Rovers and Nottingham Forest at Nora Stadium on July 22, 2026 in Ferreiras, Portugal. (Photo by Gualter Fathia/Getty Images)
Nottingham Forest faced Vitoria in a closed pre-season friendly at the Algarve Stadium in Portugal on Sunday as preparations for the 2026-27 season continued. The Nottingham Forest v Vitória de Guimarães match provided both clubs with another valuable opportunity to improve their fitness, evaluate tactical progress and give their players important minutes ahead of the start of the competitive season.
Forest went into the match after an encouraging start to life under new coach Oliver Glasner, while Vitoria de Guimaraes arrived in fine form after an impressive run of pre-season victories. With both sides heading into the contest confidently, the Nottingham Forest v Vitoria de Guimarães match promised to be a competitive test, despite the game being played behind closed doors.
Nottingham Forest x Vitoria de Guimarães pre-season kit
The build-up to the match between Nottingham Forest and Vitoria de Guimarães demonstrated the significant momentum that both teams have built up over the summer. Nottingham Forest won their first two friendlies without conceding a goal, recording a 2-0 win over Notts County and then a convincing 3-0 win over Blackburn Rovers.
Vitória de Guimarães also entered the match in excellent form. The Portuguese side have won four pre-season matches in a row and scored 13 goals, demonstrating both attacking quality and growing confidence ahead of the new Portuguese Championship campaign.
What the friendly match meant for both clubs
For Forest, the match gave Glasner another chance to continue implementing his tactical ideas and evaluate the team against quality opposition. Strong defensive performances in the opening friendlies sparked optimism and the coaching staff remained focused on maintaining discipline.
Vitória de Guimarães viewed the game as an opportunity to compete with their Premier League rivals before domestic competition resumes. With both clubs enjoying productive pre-season campaigns, this meeting was another important step in their preparation for the challenges ahead.
Dogley Wilberforce is a writer on NASCAR, Formula 1 and the heavy-sports IndyCar series. He has also written for Sportsnaut, FanSided, Total Apex Sports and Last Word on Sports. Wilberforce focuses on the NASCAR Cup Series, delivering news, driver stories and key moments in a clear, fast and entertaining style. His work connects headlines with context, helping readers understand what matters most in sports. More information about Dogley Wilberforce