ESPN FCESPN FC
Sun, Aug 9, 2026

Udinese upset Barcelona, Forest in triangular cup

Udinese pulled off a stunning upset on Saturday, defeating both Barcelona and Nottingham Forest in a triangular cup competition held in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region of Italy. The Italian Serie A side, known for their spirited and attacking brand of football, proved too strong for the visiting teams, claiming the inaugural Friuli Venezia Giulia Cup in the process.

Barcelona, fresh from a disappointing Champions League exit earlier this season, were expected to dominate the competition, but Udinese had other plans. The Italian side, who have been struggling to replicate their form from last season, rose to the occasion, with a strong team effort and some inspired individual performances. Udinese's victory was a testament to their resilience and determination, and it will be a welcome boost for their confidence ahead of their upcoming Serie A fixtures.

Nottingham Forest, who have been experiencing a mixed bag of results in the Premier League this season, also found themselves on the wrong end of a shocking defeat. The English side, who have been known for their gritty and physical approach to the game, were unable to cope with Udinese's pace and skill, and they were ultimately outplayed by their Italian opponents. The defeat will be a setback for Forest, who will be looking to regroup and recharge ahead of their next Premier League fixture.

The Friuli Venezia Giulia Cup victory will be a significant morale boost for Udinese, who will be hoping to build on this result and push for a top-half finish in Serie A this season. The competition has also provided an exciting platform for the Italian side to showcase their talents and to test themselves against some of the biggest names in world football.