Alejandro Garnacho celebrates his winning goal for Chelsea against Wrexham.Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
STōK Cae Ras12:45 PM, March 7, 2026Coverage: ESPN+Wrexham, Wales Attendance: 10,556Referees:Peter Bankes
STōK Cae Ras12:45 PM, March 7, 2026Coverage: ESPN+Wrexham, Wales Attendance: 10,556Referees:Peter Bankes
Chelsea advances in FA Cup with thrilling 4-2 win over WrexhamChelsea gets a tough test from Wrexham, but prevails 4-2 to advance in the FA Cup.
Chelsea advances in FA Cup with thrilling 4-2 win over WrexhamChelsea gets a tough test from Wrexham, but prevails 4-2 to advance in the FA Cup.
Chelsea end Wrexham’s FA Cup run in extra timeChelsea twice came from behind to avoid an FA Cup shock with a 4-2 extra-time victory at 10-man Wrexham on Saturday.
Chelsea end Wrexham’s FA Cup run in extra timeChelsea twice came from behind to avoid an FA Cup shock with a 4-2 extra-time victory at 10-man Wrexham on Saturday.
Mikel Arteta hails Arsenal rising stars Max Dowman and Marli Salmon in FA Cup winMikel Arteta praised Max Dowman and Marli Salmon after the 16-year-olds helped Arsenal reach the FA Cup quarterfinals by edging past gutsy League One outfit Mansfield.
Mikel Arteta hails Arsenal rising stars Max Dowman and Marli Salmon in FA Cup winMikel Arteta praised Max Dowman and Marli Salmon after the 16-year-olds helped Arsenal reach the FA Cup quarterfinals by edging past gutsy League One outfit Mansfield.
Chelsea advances in FA Cup with thrilling 4-2 win over WrexhamChelsea gets a tough test from Wrexham, but prevails 4-2 to advance in the FA Cup.Chelsea end Wrexham’s FA Cup run in extra timeChelsea twice came from behind to avoid an FA Cup shock with a 4-2 extra-time victory at 10-man Wrexham on Saturday.Mikel Arteta hails Arsenal rising stars Max Dowman and Marli Salmon in FA Cup winMikel Arteta praised Max Dowman and Marli Salmon after the 16-year-olds helped Arsenal reach the FA Cup quarterfinals by edging past gutsy League One outfit Mansfield.
Chelsea advances in FA Cup with thrilling 4-2 win over WrexhamChelsea gets a tough test from Wrexham, but prevails 4-2 to advance in the FA Cup.Chelsea end Wrexham’s FA Cup run in extra timeChelsea twice came from behind to avoid an FA Cup shock with a 4-2 extra-time victory at 10-man Wrexham on Saturday.Mikel Arteta hails Arsenal rising stars Max Dowman and Marli Salmon in FA Cup winMikel Arteta praised Max Dowman and Marli Salmon after the 16-year-olds helped Arsenal reach the FA Cup quarterfinals by edging past gutsy League One outfit Mansfield.
Chelsea advances in FA Cup with thrilling 4-2 win over WrexhamChelsea gets a tough test from Wrexham, but prevails 4-2 to advance in the FA Cup.Chelsea end Wrexham’s FA Cup run in extra timeChelsea twice came from behind to avoid an FA Cup shock with a 4-2 extra-time victory at 10-man Wrexham on Saturday.Mikel Arteta hails Arsenal rising stars Max Dowman and Marli Salmon in FA Cup winMikel Arteta praised Max Dowman and Marli Salmon after the 16-year-olds helped Arsenal reach the FA Cup quarterfinals by edging past gutsy League One outfit Mansfield.
ByESPN News ServicesUpdated: Mar 7, 2026, 04:03 pmFacebookFacebook MessengerTwitterEmail
Chelsea twice came from behind to avoid an FA Cup shock with a 4-2 extra-time victory at 10-man Wrexham on Saturday.
With celebrity owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac in attendance, the ambitious Welsh outfit were dreaming of a famous victory when they took the lead at a raucous STōK Cae Ras through Sam Smith.
A fortuitous own goal allowed the sluggish Londoners to equalize but Wrexham’s hopes were rekindled with an improvised finish from Callum Doyle 12 minutes from time.
Yet it was not to be as Josh Acheampong levelled for a second time and Alejandro Garnacho and João Pedro secured Chelsea’s quarterfinal spot in extra time after the hosts had George Dobson sent off.
It was a heartbreaking way for Wrexham’s cup run to end but, nevertheless, the occasion marked another notable chapter in their remarkable rise.
Wrexham, who had already knocked out Premier League Nottingham Forest in this year’s competition, were playing in the FA Cup fifth round for the first time in 29 years.
But Phil Parkinson’s side, currently sitting sixth in England’s second tier, will now go back to their main objective of achieving an unprecedented fourth-straight promotion and a place alongside Chelsea in the Premier League.
And the memory of how they came close to upsetting the reigning club world champions could also sustain them through their playoff push.
Their direct approach paid off after 18 minutes as Smith latched onto a long ball from Doyle and placed a firm shot beyond Robert Sánchez from 18 yards.
Chelsea’s equalizer came against the run of play after 40 minutes and involved a huge slice of luck.
Liam Delap did well to turn and break from halfway but Garnacho’s shot looked ineffective until it was hacked off the line by George Thomason and rebounded into the net off goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo.
Wrexham felt they should have had a penalty when a shot from Ollie Rathbone appeared to strike the arm of Marc Guiu.
The hosts dramatically reclaimed the lead with Doyle’s brilliant, instinctive finish. Josh Windass fired a shot into a crowded area after Chelsea failed to clear a corner and Doyle reacted brilliantly to flick past Sánchez.
But they were in front for just four minutes as Acheampong slammed into the roof of the net after Dobson lost possession.
Neto fired against the crossbar as Chelsea sought a late winner and Dobson’s night got worse as he was sent off following a VAR review for a high challenge on Garnacho.
Max Cleworth might have snatched victory for the 10 men in stoppage time but his powerful strike was too close to Sanchez and Chelsea made their advantage tell in the first period of extra time.
Wrexham thought they had made it 3-3 when Brunt turned in from Kieffer Moore’s glancing header but he was just offside.
STōK Cae Ras12:45 PM, March 7, 2026Coverage: ESPN+Wrexham, Wales Attendance: 10,556
STōK Cae Ras12:45 PM, March 7, 2026Coverage: ESPN+
Chelsea advances in FA Cup with thrilling 4-2 win over Wrexham
Mikel Arteta hails Arsenal rising stars Max Dowman and Marli Salmon in FA Cup win
Sam Smith – 18’Callum Doyle – 78’George Dobson – 90’+3’Arthur Okonkwo – 40′ OGJosh Acheampong – 82’Alejandro Garnacho – 96’João Pedro – 120’+5′
Chelsea twice came from behind to avoid an FA Cup shock with a 4-2 extra-time victory at 10-man Wrexham on Saturday.
Mikel Arteta praised Max Dowman and Marli Salmon after the 16-year-olds helped Arsenal reach the FA Cup quarterfinals by edging past gutsy League One outfit Mansfield.
Consequently their first-half display was disjointed and Wrexham took advantage.
The second half was an end-to-end affair, and both sides had numerous chances.
Garnacho volleyed in from close range from a Dário Essugo cross.
Phil Parkinson’s men kept on pushing but Pedro had the final say.
2025-26 English FA Cup, Fifth RoundWrexhamWrexhamWXM2AETChelseaChelseaCHE4Sam Smith – 18’Callum Doyle – 78’George Dobson – 90’+3’Arthur Okonkwo – 40′ OGJosh Acheampong – 82’Alejandro Garnacho – 96’João Pedro – 120’+5′
2025-26 English FA Cup, Fifth RoundWrexhamWrexhamWXM2AETChelseaChelseaCHE4Sam Smith – 18’Callum Doyle – 78’George Dobson – 90’+3’Arthur Okonkwo – 40′ OGJosh Acheampong – 82’Alejandro Garnacho – 96’João Pedro – 120’+5′
2025-26 English FA Cup, Fifth RoundWrexhamWrexhamWXM2AETChelseaChelseaCHE4Sam Smith – 18’Callum Doyle – 78’George Dobson – 90’+3’Arthur Okonkwo – 40′ OGJosh Acheampong – 82’Alejandro Garnacho – 96’João Pedro – 120’+5′
Sam Smith – 18’Callum Doyle – 78’George Dobson – 90’+3′
Arthur Okonkwo – 40′ OGJosh Acheampong – 82’Alejandro Garnacho – 96’João Pedro – 120’+5′
Arthur Okonkwo – 40′ OGJosh Acheampong – 82’Alejandro Garnacho – 96’João Pedro – 120’+5′
Arthur Okonkwo – 40′ OGJosh Acheampong – 82’Alejandro Garnacho – 96’João Pedro – 120’+5′
Chelsea gets a tough test from Wrexham, but prevails 4-2 to advance in the FA Cup.
STōK Cae Ras12:45 PM, March 7, 2026Coverage: ESPN+Wrexham, Wales Attendance: 10,556Referees:Peter BankesChelsea advances in FA Cup with thrilling 4-2 win over WrexhamChelsea gets a tough test from Wrexham, but prevails 4-2 to advance in the FA Cup.Chelsea end Wrexham’s FA Cup run in extra timeChelsea twice came from behind to avoid an FA Cup shock with a 4-2 extra-time victory at 10-man Wrexham on Saturday.Mikel Arteta hails Arsenal rising stars Max Dowman and Marli Salmon in FA Cup winMikel Arteta praised Max Dowman and Marli Salmon after the 16-year-olds helped Arsenal reach the FA Cup quarterfinals by edging past gutsy League One outfit Mansfield.
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Terms of UsePrivacy PolicyYour US State Privacy RightsChildren’s Online Privacy PolicyInterest-Based AdsAbout Nielsen MeasurementYour Privacy ChoicesContact UsDisney Ad Sales SiteWork for ESPNCorrectionsGAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit http://www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/WY). Void in ONT/OR/NH. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (KS). Terms: sportsbook.draftkings.com/promos.Copyright: © 2026 ESPN Enterprises, LLC. All rights reserved.