The Premier League roster for next season is officially complete. Hull City locked up the final remaining top-flight ticket after defeating Middlesbrough 1-0 at Wembley Stadium, thanks to an agonizingly late, dramatic winner from Oliver McBurnie.
Following a cagey opening 45 minutes that offered virtually zero goal-scoring threats, Middlesbrough initially looked like the better side, enjoying vastly superior control of the possession compared to their rivals. However, they were unable to break the deadlock, leaving the match scoreless as both teams headed down the tunnel at halftime.
The second half was almost a mirror image of the first, with all signs pointing toward the promotion battle heading into extra time. Yet, in the dying embers of the match, Oliver McBurnie emerged as the ultimate hero, popping up in the 94th minute to net the winner and secure promotion for his squad. The goal triggered absolute scenes at a roaring Wembley Stadium, sending the Tigers back to the Premier League for the first time in 10 years.
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Hull City earned a spot in the Premier League after 10 years and you lived every moment with World Soccer Talk!
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End of the game!
Hull City defeated Middlesbrough 1-0!
90'+6- Modifications in both teams (1-0)
Hull City: Regan Slater and Lewie Coyle were replaced by John Lundstram and Paddy McNair.
Boro: Alan Browne and Matt Targett were replaced by Jeremy Sarmiento and Cruz Ibeh.
90'+4- GOOOAAAAL FOR HULL CITY!!! (1-0)
Oliver McBurnie scores for Hull City!!
90'- Whittaker tries from the distance (0-0)
Whittaker fires an ambitious effort from long range, but his strike sails well wide of the Hull City target.
86'- A completely devoid second half (0-0)
Neither side has registered a single shot on target in this second period—a staggering lack of cutting edge that heavily indicates this promotion battle is destined for extra time.
81'- What a save from Pandur! (0-0)
Boro come agonizingly close to finding the elusive breakthrough after a fierce strike from Hansen, which Pandur denies with a magnificent save. However, the referee's assistant immediately raises the flag, chalking the play off for an offside against the Dutch forward.
76'- Modifications in Hull City (0-0)
Ryan Giles and Mohamed Belloumi were replaced by Yu Hirakawa and Cody Drameh.
74'- Modification in Boro (0-0)
Riley McGree leaves the field injured to make way for Sontje Hansen.
68'- Modification in Boro (0-0)
David Strelec was replaced by Hayden Hackney.
63'- Modification in Hull City (0-0)
Liam Millar was replaced by Joe Gelhardt.
60'- Not much action in the second half (0-0)
Following a relatively high-octane restart, the tempo of the match has dropped off significantly. Action has completely dried up in this second half, with Middlesbrough comfortably maintaining their stranglehold on possession.
56'- Middlesbrough control the ball (0-0)
In the opening exchanges of the second half, Middlesbrough are dominating possession, like they did in the first half.
48'- Great second half start from Boro! (0-0)
After forcing back-to-back corner kicks, Dael Fry rises highest to connect with a powerful header, coming agonizingly close to breaking the deadlock as his effort sails just over the Hull City crossbar.
The second half is underway!
Hull City and Middlesbrough are already playing the second half!
Halftime!
The game goes to halftime!
45'+2- Nice chance from Boro! (0-0)
Strelec unleashes a brilliant, low-driven strike from outside the area that finishes inches wide, scraping past the outside of the Hull City post!
42'- Nice try from Belloumi! (0-0)
Belloumi unleashes a venomous strike from outside the box that whistles just wide of Brynn’s post!
37'- Browne tries with a header (0-0)
Alan Browne attempts a header from inside the box, but his effort flashes wide of Pandur’s target.
30'- Hull City gaining rhythm (0-0)
Hull City are beginning to see more of the ball, though possession remain overwhelmingly dominated by Middlesbrough, with Boro dictating a massive 76% of play compared to just 24% for the Tigers.
23'- First chance for Hull City (0-0)
Lewie Coyle commands Hull City's first attempt of the match with a header, but Brynn pulls off a great save to tip it over the crossbar for a corner.
18'- First shot of the game (0-0)
Strelec registers the first shot of the match with a glancing header, though it sails safely over the Hull City crossbar.
15'- No action from Hull City (0-0)
So far, it is a one-way street at Wembley with Boro doing all the attacking, while Hull City drop deep to defend and look to launch a lightning-fast counterattack to cause some damage.
8'- Not much happening at the beginning (0-0)
It has been a quiet opening few minutes at Wembley, with Boro dictating the tempo and dominating possession but failing to carve out any real danger so far.
2'- First chance for Middlesbrough (0-0)
Middlesbrough start off controlling possession and generated the first real chance of the match via a dangerous cross, but Pandur safely plucked the ball out of the air to diffuse the threat.
GAME ON!
The game between Hull City and Middlesbrough is underway!
Players are on the pitch!
Players from both teams are on the field. Everything is ready for the start of the match!
Head-to-head record
Hull City and Middlesbrough have squared off 31 times since 2007, with Boro holding a razor-thin advantage in the historic matchup. In their overall head-to-head record, Middlesbrough has claimed 15 victories compared to Hull City’s 11 wins, with the two sides splitting the points on just five occasions.
Both teams doing warm up activities
Players for both sides have taken the field for warmups at Wembley Stadium!
Middlesbrough lineup confirmed!
Middlesbrough's starting XI: Brynn; Ayling, Fry, Malanda; Brittain, Morris, Browne, Targett; Whittaker, McGree; Strelec.
Hull City lineup confirmed!
Hull City's starting XI: Pandur; Ajayi, Egan, Hughes; Coyle, Slater, Crooks, Giles; Belloumi, Millar; McBurnie.
Kickoff time and where to watch
Hull City vs Middlesbrough will get underway at Wembley Stadium at 10:30 AM (ET).
Paramount+ will be the option to watch Hull City vs Middlesbrough in the USA.
Hull City and Middlesbrough clash in EFL Championship playoff final
Welcome to our live blog of the EFL Championship playoff final! Hull City and Middlesbrough clash at Wembley Stadium, with both teams looking for a spot in the Premier League.
Stay with us for all the action and minute-by-minute updates of this exciting game!
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