Chelsea survived a dramatic FA Cup fifth round scare vs Wrexham, eventually winning 4-2 in extra time on March 7, 2026.
The match drew a crowd of 10,556 to the compact Welsh ground, with celebrity owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney watching from the stands throughout the contest.
Wrexham, playing in the fifth round for the first time in 29 years, took the lead through Sam Smith in the 18th minute to set the home faithful dreaming of another giant-killing.
Chelsea, who made nine changes with Wednesday’s Champions League trip to Paris Saint-Germain firmly in mind, looked sluggish and disjointed across a difficult first half.
An Arthur Okonkwo own goal leveled matters for the visitors in the 40th minute, but Wrexham refused to be broken and continued to press for a winning goal.
Callum Doyle rekindled the home side’s hopes with an improvised finish 12 minutes from time, giving Phil Parkinson’s side a 2-1 lead that threatened a memorable upset.
Josh Acheampong equalized for Chelsea in the 82nd minute, forcing extra time and setting up a tense climax that Wrexham would ultimately feel they could have won.
George Dobson was sent off for Wrexham in the third minute of stoppage time, reducing Phil Parkinson’s side to ten men just as the match entered its most critical phase.
Alejandro Garnacho broke the deadlock in the 96th minute, volleying in from close range from a Dário Essugo cross, before João Pedro sealed the win in the 120th minute.
Wrexham believed they had equalized at 3-3 when Lewis Brunt turned in from Kieffer Moore’s glancing header, but VAR ruled the effort narrowly offside in a devastating moment for the hosts.
The result ends Wrexham’s cup run, having already knocked out Premier League side Nottingham Forest earlier in this year’s competition, which made their efforts all the more impressive.
Phil Parkinson’s side currently sit sixth in England’s second tier and will now refocus on their pursuit of an unprecedented fourth straight promotion to join Chelsea in the Premier League.
The memory of how closely they pushed the reigning club world champions, in the Chelsea vs Wrexham fifth round tie, may well inspire them through the remainder of their playoff push.