Wrexham vs Nottingham Forest – FA Cup Thriller Ends in Penalty Win
Wrexham produced a memorable FA Cup upset on 9 January 2026, defeating Premier League side Nottingham Forest 4-3 on penalties after a dramatic 3-3 draw at the Racecourse Ground. The League One side advanced to the fourth round of the competition in front of a crowd of 10,603.
The match, part of the 2025-26 FA Cup third round, saw Wrexham take a commanding first-half lead before Forest mounted a spirited comeback. The tie ultimately came down to a penalty shootout, where Wrexham’s composure from the spot proved decisive.
This victory marked the first time in 26 years that Wrexham had beaten Premier League opposition in the FA Cup, according to reports from Sky Sports and ESPN.
Match Result: Wrexham vs Nottingham Forest FA Cup Thriller
Key Insights
- Wrexham produced one of the biggest FA Cup shocks of the round by defeating a Premier League side.
- The 3-3 draw featured goals from both sides, with Wrexham showing resilience to hold on after Forest’s late equaliser.
- Penalty shootout heroics from goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo decided the tie.
- This result highlights Wrexham’s continued rise under Hollywood ownership.
- Forest manager Sean Dyche made a triple half-time substitution, bringing on Neco Williams, Morgan Gibbs-White, and Nicolas Dominguez to change the game.
- Wrexham beat Premier League opposition in the FA Cup for the first time in 26 years.
Match Snapshot
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | 9 January 2026 |
| Competition | FA Cup Third Round |
| Venue | Racecourse Ground, Wrexham |
| Final Score (AET) | 3-3 |
| Penalty Winner | Wrexham 4-3 |
| Attendance | 10,603 |
| Possession | Wrexham 38% – 62% Forest |
| Total Shots | Wrexham 17 – 31 Forest |
| Shots on Target | Wrexham 7 – 10 Forest |
| Expected Goals (xG) | Wrexham 2.6 – 2.76 Forest |
| Corners | Wrexham 8 – 7 Forest |
| Big Chances Created | Wrexham 3 – 0 Forest |
How to Watch Wrexham vs Nottingham Forest Highlights and Replay
Official BBC Highlights
BBC Sport published highlights of the 3-3 thriller and penalty shootout. Fans can view the extended match summary and key moments on the BBC Sport website.
Full Match Replay Availability
Full match replays are available via ESPN and other broadcasters’ on-demand services. The match was broadcast live on BBC and ESPN in the UK, with streaming available on BBC iPlayer and ESPN+.
For fans looking to rewatch the match, official highlights are available on BBC Sport, while full match replays can be accessed through ESPN’s on-demand service. The match was originally broadcast live on BBC and ESPN.
Wrexham vs Nottingham Forest: Head-to-Head Stats and History
All-Time Record
According to 11v11.com, Wrexham and Nottingham Forest have met a limited number of times historically. The most recent FA Cup meeting is the third-round tie detailed above, which ended in a dramatic penalty shootout victory for Wrexham.
Match Stats (Possession, Shots, Cards)
Sky Sports and ESPN provide in-depth stats including possession percentages, shots on goal, and bookings. According to 365Scores, Wrexham had 38% possession compared to Forest’s 62%, while Forest registered 31 total shots to Wrexham’s 17. Despite the disparity in possession, Wrexham created three big chances to Forest’s none.
Wrexham’s expected goals (xG) of 2.6 was close to Forest’s 2.76, suggesting the League One side created quality chances despite having less of the ball. Wrexham also completed 347 passes compared to Forest’s 648.
Match Preview: Prediction, Tickets, and Live Coverage
Match Prediction
Pre-match predictions varied; some pundits expected a competitive FA Cup tie given Wrexham’s form under manager Phil Parkinson. The League One side had shown tactical discipline and set-piece threat in previous rounds.
Ticket Information
Tickets for the FA Cup third-round match were sold via the clubs’ official websites and the FA’s ticketing platform. The match attracted a crowd of 10,603 at the Racecourse Ground.
Live Broadcast Details
The match was broadcast live on BBC and ESPN in the UK, with streaming available on BBC iPlayer and ESPN+. Fans could also follow live updates through various sports news platforms.
Match Timeline: Key Events from Wrexham vs Nottingham Forest
- 37′ – Liberato Cacace scores to give Wrexham a 1-0 lead.
- 40′ – Oliver Rathbone doubles Wrexham’s advantage, making it 2-0 at half-time.
- 64′ – Igor Jesus pulls one back for Nottingham Forest.
- 74′ – Dominic Hyam restores Wrexham’s two-goal lead, making it 3-1.
- 76′ – Callum Hudson-Odoi scores for Forest, reducing the deficit to 3-2.
- 89′ – Callum Hudson-Odoi scores again to equalise at 3-3 and force extra time.
- 120′ – No further goals in extra time; the match goes to penalties.
- Penalties – Wrexham win 4-3 on penalties. Josh Windass, Callum Doyle, George Thomason, and Jay Rodriguez convert their spot-kicks. Arthur Okonkwo saves from Igor Jesus and Omari Hutchinson.
What Is Confirmed and What Remains Unclear About the Match
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| The final score (3-3) and penalty result (Wrexham 4-3) are confirmed by multiple official sources (BBC, ESPN, Sky Sports). | Some minor details such as exact attendance and referee name may vary across reports; these are not contested but require cross-referencing. |
| Goal scorers and penalty takers are documented by multiple sources. | Post-match quotes from managers and players are not yet widely published. |
| Match stats including possession, shots, and expected goals are available from 365Scores. | Detailed tactical analysis from independent experts is limited. |
Context and Analysis: What This Match Means
This FA Cup tie pitted League One Wrexham against Premier League Nottingham Forest. The match was significant due to Wrexham’s recent success story and their ability to compete against higher-tier opposition under manager Phil Parkinson. Wrexham’s tactical discipline and set-piece threat troubled Forest throughout the match. Forest’s depth and Premier League quality were evident in spells, particularly through Callum Hudson-Odoi’s double, but Wrexham’s penalty composure secured the win.
The victory marks a historic moment for Wrexham, who beat Premier League opposition in the FA Cup for the first time in 26 years. Goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo was described as the hero of the tie for his two penalty saves in the shootout.
Sources and Quotes from the Match
“Wrexham shock Nottingham Forest in FA Cup thriller.”
– BBC Sport
“Wrexham win 4-3 on penalties.”
– Sky Sports
“Final score 3-3.”
– ESPN
Summary: What Happened in the Wrexham vs Nottingham Forest FA Cup Match?
Wrexham defeated Nottingham Forest 4-3 on penalties after a 3-3 draw in the FA Cup third round on 9 January 2026 at the Racecourse Ground. Goals from Liberato Cacace, Oliver Rathbone, and Dominic Hyam put Wrexham in a strong position, but Callum Hudson-Odoi’s double forced extra time. Arthur Okonkwo’s two penalty saves secured Wrexham’s place in the fourth round, marking their first FA Cup victory over Premier League opposition in 26 years. For more details, see the Wrexham 3-3 Nottingham Forest: Wrexham win 4-3 on penalties – Championship side reach FA Cup fourth round after thriller.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I watch Wrexham vs Nottingham Forest live?
The match was broadcast live on BBC and ESPN. Replays and highlights are available on BBC iPlayer and ESPN+.
What is the head-to-head record between Wrexham and Nottingham Forest?
According to 11v11.com, the clubs have met a limited number of times; the most recent FA Cup meeting is detailed above.
Who scored for Wrexham and Nottingham Forest?
Goal scorers are listed in the match timeline and can be found on ESPN and Sky Sports.
What was the attendance for the match?
The attendance was 10,603 at the Racecourse Ground, according to ESPN.
How did Wrexham win on penalties?
Wrexham converted their first four penalties through Josh Windass, Callum Doyle, George Thomason, and Jay Rodriguez. Goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo saved from Igor Jesus and Omari Hutchinson.
What competition was this match part of?
The match was part of the 2025-26 FA Cup third round.
Who was the standout performer in the match?
Wrexham goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo was described as the hero of the tie for his two penalty saves in the shootout.
What was the possession statistic for the match?
Wrexham had 38% possession compared to Nottingham Forest’s 62%, according to 365Scores.
How many shots did each team have?
Wrexham had 17 total shots (7 on target), while Nottingham Forest had 31 total shots (10 on target).
What is Wrexham’s next match after this FA Cup win?
Wrexham will play in the FA Cup Fourth Round; their next league fixtures are available from the club’s official website.
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