Wrexham secured a historic victory over Nottingham Forest on Friday in the third round of the 2025-26 FA Cup. After a 3-3 draw in regulation and extra time, the EFL Championship side, pulled off a shock by eliminating their Premier League rivals in the penalty shootout.
While Nottingham Forest’s performance in England’s top flight has been unconvincing so far—they sit just above the relegation zone—the difference in league tiers made them clear favorites to advance to the next round.
However, Wrexham played a smart, disciplined game and, near the end of the first half, created a two-goal cushion in just a few minutes thanks to strikes from Liberato Cacace and Ollie Rathbone. After the break, Igor Jesus pulled one back for the visitors, but Dominic Hyam restored Wrexham’s two-goal advantage. Callum Hudson-Odoi then stepped up with a brace in the final minutes to send the match into extra time.
In the 30 minutes of extra time, not much happened, although the Premier League side came closest to scoring. After the final whistle, the outcome was decided in penalties, where goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo made two crucial saves to secure Wrexham’s progression.
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We’ve reached the end of our live blog for the thrilling match in which Wrexham won on penalties against Nottingham Forest in the 2025-26 FA Cup. Thanks for following along, and see you next time!
Arthur Okonkwo saves from Omari Hutchinson!
Wrexham eliminate Nottingham Forest!
Rodríguez nets!
Wrexham lead 4-3 on penalties.
Williams scores!
Wrexham and Nottingham Forest are 3-3.
Thomason nets
Wrexham lead 3-2 on penalties
Hudson-Odoi scores
Wrexham and Nottingham Forest are 2-2.
Doyle scores!
Wrexham lead 2-1 on penalties.
James McClean misses his penalty!
Wrexham and Nottingham Forest remain tied 1-1 in the shootout.
Igor Jesus denied by goalkeeper Okonkwo!
Wrexham and Nottingham Forest remain tied 1-1 in the penalty shootout.
Windass scores the first penalty!
Wrexham take a 1-0 lead.
Gibbs-White scores!
Wrexham and Nottingham Forest are tied 1-1 in the penalty shootout.
End of extra time!
Wrexham and Nottingham Forest are tied 3-3 and will go to penalties to decide who advances to the next round of the FA Cup.
25’ ET – Nottingham Forest pushing for a goal (3-3)
Igor Jesus fired from the edge of the box, but Wrexham goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo held the shot comfortably.
20’ ET – Omari Hutchinson tries from distance (3-3)
The Nottingham Forest player fired a shot from range, but it went wide.
16’ ET – Wrexham come close! (3-3)
Windass found himself one-on-one with the Nottingham Forest goalkeeper but couldn’t get off a comfortable shot.
Final 15 minutes of extra time underway! (3-3)
Wrexham and Nottingham Forest have one last chance to avoid a penalty shootout.
End of the first half of extra time!
Wrexham and Nottingham Forest remain tied 3-3.
11’ ET – Wrexham come close (3-3)
Dan Scarr went up for a header, but the ball sailed wide.
9’ ET – Another substitution for Wrexham (3-3)
Sam Smith is replaced by Jay Rodriguez.
7’ ET – New substitution for the visitors (3-3)
Murillo comes on for Nicolo Savona.
5’ ET – Nottingham Forest searching for a fourth (3-3)
Williams pounced on a rebound from a corner kick and fired a shot, but it was blocked by a Wrexham defender.
1’ ET – Substitution for Wrexham (3-3)
Ryan Barnett comes on for Ryan Longman.
Extra time begins!
Wrexham and Nottingham Forest remain tied 3-3 in the third round of the FA Cup.
The whistle blows!
Wrexham and Nottingham Forest are tied 3-3 at the end of regulation. The match will now go to extra time.
89’ – GOOOOAAL FOR NOTTINGHAM FOREST!! (3-3)
Callum Hudson-Odoi scores his second goal of the night to level the match.
87’ – Another yellow card for Nottingham Forest (3-2)
Douglas Luiz is now booked.
86’ – First yellow card for Nottingham Forest (3-2)
Omari Hutchinson is booked for a foul on Lewis O’Brien.
84’ – Wrexham defending with everything they’ve got (3-2)
Nottingham Forest are doing everything they can to find an equalizer, but the hosts are well organized at the back and are holding onto their lead for now.
78’ – Wrexham come close again! (3-2)
Ryan Longman fired a left-footed shot, but Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels managed to keep it out.
75’ – GOOOOAAL FOR NOTTINGHAM FOREST!! (3-2)
Just moments after Wrexham’s goal, Callum Hudson-Odoi scored Nottingham Forest’s second to quickly cut the deficit.
74’ – GOOOOAAL FOR WREXHAM!! (3-1)
Following a superb cross from George Dobson, Dominic Hyam headed in Wrexham’s third goal.
69’ – More changes for Wrexham (2-1)
Nathan Broadhead and Ollie Rathbone are replaced by Lewis O’Brien and Josh Windass.
63’ – GOOOOOAAAAL FOR NOTTINGHAM FOREST!! (2-1)
Igor Jesus met a cross from the right with a header, beating the Wrexham goalkeeper to pull one back for the visitors.
60’ – First substitution for Wrexham (2-0)
Liberato Cacace is replaced by George Thomason.
58’ – Great move from Wrexham! (2-0)
Nathan Broadhead started a brilliant solo run and, after linking up with teammates, finished with a shot that was saved by goalkeeper Matz Sels.
55’ – Wrexham escape danger! (2-0)
Douglas Luiz delivered a precise free kick, but goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo made the save.
53’ – Nottingham Forest appeal for a penalty (2-0)
Morgan Gibbs-White headed the ball inside the box, and it deflected off a Wrexham defender. The visiting players appealed for a handball, but the referee correctly waved play on.
50’ – Nottingham Forest applying pressure (2-0)
With a two-goal deficit, the Premier League side are now controlling possession, searching for a goal to get back into the match.
46’ – First substitutions for Nottingham Forest (2-0)
Nicolas Dominguez, Morgan Gibbs-White, and Neco Williams came on to replace James Mcatee, Oleksandr Zinchenko, and Dilane Bakwa.
The second half has started!
Wrexham AFC are leading Nottingham Forest FC 2-0.
End of the first half!
Wrexham are leading Nottingham Forest 2-0.
45’ – Incredible chance wasted by Wrexham! (2-0)
Sam Smith had a clear opportunity one-on-one with goalkeeper Matz Sels, but the shot was well saved.
40’ – GOOOOAAAL FOR WREXHAM!! (2-0)
Ollie Rathbone battled for the ball inside the box and finished with a precise right-footed strike to double the home side’s lead.
36’ – GOOOOAAAL FOR WREXHAM!! (1-0)
Liberato Cacace unleashed a superb strike from outside the box to score the opener for the home side.
29’ – Sam Smith comes close! (0-0)
Wrexham nearly took the lead, but the striker sent his shot wide from inside the box.
27’ – Forest push for the opener (0-0)
Nottingham Forest are gradually imposing their style, winning the ball back quickly and spending more time around Wrexham’s box, though they have yet to create any clear-cut chances.
21’ – First chance for Wrexham! (0-0)
Ollie Rathbone struck a shot from outside the box, with the ball deflecting off a Nottingham Forest defender.
17’ – Goal disallowed for Nottingham Forest! (0-0)
Douglas Luiz appeared to have given the visitors the opening goal, but after a brief delay the referee ruled it out for an apparent handball.
15’ – Trouble for Nottingham Forest (0-0)
As the match progresses, Wrexham have begun to impose their style of play, while the visitors are struggling to show the difference in quality expected between the two sides.
10’ – Still level in the early stages (0-0)
In the opening minutes, Nottingham Forest have taken the initiative but have struggled to create clear chances. Wrexham are defending well and looking to build attacks through sustained possession.
4’ – Nottingham Forest create the first chance (0-0)
Bakwa delivered a cross into the box for Igor Jesus, but the forward failed to get a clean finish on the attempt.
The match has started!
Wrexham and Nottingham Forest are now underway in their 2025-26 FA Cup third-round matchup.
Other FA Cup matches
In addition to the Wrexham vs. Nottingham Forest clash, three other third-round FA Cup matches will take place this Friday: Port Vale vs. Fleetwood Town, Preston North End vs. Wigan Athletic, and MK Dons vs. Oxford United.
On Saturday, Manchester City will face Exeter City, Tottenham Hotspur take on Aston Villa, and Chelsea meet Charlton Athletic. Sunday’s matches feature Arsenal vs. Portsmouth and Manchester United vs. Brighton & Hove Albion. Finally, Liverpool will make their debut against Barnsley on Monday.
Where the match will be played
Wrexham AFC will host the FA Cup third-round clash against Nottingham Forest at the Racecourse Ground in Wrexham, Wales. The stadium was first used in 1864 and has undergone several renovations since, now boasting a capacity of 12,600 spectators.
Nottingham Forest starting XI
This is the lineup selected by head coach Sean Dyche for the match against Wrexham: Matz Sels; Nicolo Savona, Jair, Morato, Oleksandr Zinchenko; Douglas Luiz, James Mcatee; Omari Hutchinson, Dan Ndoye, Dilane Bakwa; Igor Jesus.
Wrexham starting lineup confirmed!
Here are the XI chosen by head coach Phil Parkinson to face Nottingham Forest FC: Arthur Okonkwo; Dan Scarr, Dominic Hyam, Callum Doyle; Ben Sheaf, George Dobson; Ryan Longman, Nathan Broadhead, Ollie Rathbone, Liberato Cacace; Sam Smith.
Kickoff time and how to watch
The game between Wrexham and Nottingham Forest will begin at 2:30 PM (ET).
You can watch the FA Cup match live on ESPN+.
Wrexham and Nottingham Forest face off in the FA Cup
Welcome to our live blog for the 2025-26 FA Cup third-round matchup. Wrexham and Nottingham Forest will battle for a place in the next round of the competition. Stay with us for minute-by-minute updates from the match.
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