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The Brazilian attacker scored twice as Nottingham Forest concluded the group stage of the European competition with a convincing triumph against their Hungarian visitors at the City Ground.

Forest had already secured a berth in the next qualifying round and went into this game with a small chance of making the top eight, although they needed several results to fall in their favor.

Those results failed to materialize but this assured display will give the supporters confidence that their team can navigate the two-legged play-off to reach the last 16.

Kristoffer Zachariassen did hit the upright with a headed effort inside the opening stages for the away team – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from that point forward.

Forest broke the deadlock in the early stages when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by Bence Otvos and added a second four minutes later – the striker firing an effort in at the far post for his tenth strike of the season.

The forward's eleventh goal arrived soon after the restart when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the backline and then place a shot past the goalkeeper.

The third strike killed off the visitors' hopes of mounting a recovery and instead Forest scored again when the impressive McAtee scored from a penalty after a foul by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the penalty area on Dan Ndoye.

Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off lottery takes place on Friday, 30 January (midday UK time), where Nottingham Forest might face either the Turkish side or the Greek club.

"It's more than the result, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these guys to do collectively well, the entire team," said Forest boss Sean Dyche.

"That was another stride forward, but it is a positive step."

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Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Nottingham Forest in Europe this season with half of his 11 goals coming in the Europa League.

His brace also means he has scored a trio of strikes in his previous two outings and the prospect of a challenge for his position in the forward line could be spurring him on.

Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was last week signed on loan and he was observing this game from the directors' box.

That may well have been on Jesus' mind as he was impressive against Ferencvaros, delivering two excellent goals and generally being a menace to the visitors' defence with his speed and runs.

The forward was not alone in impressing, with James McAtee producing his best performance in a Nottingham Forest shirt since signing from Manchester City last summer, while the Swiss international also performed well.

Such positive showings will give the club some renewed optimism as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the Premier League relegation zone when they welcome Crystal Palace on the weekend.

"All you can ask for is a response," added Dyche.

"I have always trusted their commitment or their dedication or integrity. It is just about displaying your quality.

"James was very good and Dan Ndoye was super sharp. Igor got another couple and these are good signs."

Player of the Match

Nottingham Forest Top Players

• #19: Average Rating 9.1
• J. McAtee: Average Rating 8.75
• R. Yates: Average Rating 8.6
• I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.0
• #31: Rating 7.94

Ferencváros Notable Players

• B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.1
• Júlio Romão: Average Rating 4.1
• K. Zachariassen: Average Rating 4.09