Middlesbrough 1 Wrexham 0

Generated by AI

Match Identification

Match: Middlesbrough 1–0 Wrexham

Date: Friday, 7 August 2026

Competition: EFL Cup (Carabao Cup), First Round

Venue: Riverside Stadium

Attendance: 18,221

Referee: Will Finnie

Match Report

Middlesbrough edged Wrexham 1–0 at the Riverside Stadium to progress from the Carabao Cup first round, with debutant Will Lankshear striking the decisive goal shortly after the hour.

The opening half was competitive without a breakthrough, though both sides fashioned moments. Middlesbrough threatened early and were denied when Danny Ward produced a point-blank save to keep out a close-range effort after a cross from Sebastian Berhalter. Wrexham responded with sporadic danger, including a chance for Danny Imray from a cross and a low Sam Smith effort that was kept out, but the interval arrived goalless.

After the restart, Boro increased the tempo and were rewarded in the 61st minute. A delivery from the right was nodded back into the danger area and Lankshear, swivelling smartly, hooked a spectacular first-time volley into the far corner to make it 1–0.

Wrexham made a series of changes in an attempt to force an equaliser—Ryan Longman replaced Daniel Imray on 65 minutes, with further substitutions following soon after—but clear chances were limited as Middlesbrough managed the closing stages. The hosts went close to a second late on when Morgan Whittaker struck the post, but Lankshear’s finish ultimately proved enough to separate the sides.

Key Events

• 43' Lewis O’Brien (Wrexham) booked.
• 56' Sam Smith (Wrexham) booked.
• 61' Goal – Middlesbrough 1–0 Wrexham: Will Lankshear (volley).
• 65' Substitution (Wrexham): Ryan Longman on for Daniel Imray.
• 69' Will Lankshear (Middlesbrough) booked.
• 72' Substitutions (Wrexham): Bailey-Tye Cadamarteri for Oliver Rathbone; Ben Whiteman for Matty James; Kieffer Moore for Sam Smith.
• 76' Substitution (Wrexham): Davis Keillor-Dunn for Nathan Broadhead.
• 85' Dominic Hyam (Wrexham) booked.
• 90+1' Callum Doyle (Wrexham) booked.

Wrexham Line Up

Formation: 3-4-2-1

Substitutions used: Ryan Longman for Daniel Imray (65'); Bailey-Tye Cadamarteri for Oliver Rathbone (72'); Ben Whiteman for Matty James (72'); Kieffer Moore for Sam Smith (72'); Davis Keillor-Dunn for Nathan Broadhead (76').

Match Statistics