Wrexham vs Nottm Forest – Score, Report and Highlights

Wrexham secured a memorable FA Cup victory on January 9, 2026, defeating Nottingham Forest 4-3 in a penalty shootout following a 3-3 draw at STōK Cae Ras. Arthur Okonkwo emerged as the decisive figure, making two crucial saves during the shootout to send the League One side through to the next round of the competition.

Who Won Wrexham vs Nottm Forest and What Was the Final Score?

• Wrexham led 2-0 at halftime through first-half goals from Liberato Cacace and Oliver Rathbone
• Nottingham Forest mounted a second-half comeback, leveling at 3-3 through substitute Callum Hudson-Odoi’s late strike
• The match went to extra time with no further goals, leading to a penalty shootout
• Arthur Okonkwo saved penalties from Igor Jesus and Omari Hutchinson to secure Wrexham’s advancement
• The result represents a significant upset against the Premier League side
• Wrexham, owned by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, have now defeated higher-tier opposition multiple times in recent seasons

Match Details: Date, Venue and Lineups for Wrexham vs Nottm Forest

The FA Cup third-round tie took place on January 9, 2026, at the STōK Cae Ras, commonly known as the Racecourse Ground, in Wrexham. The fixture was a competitive cup tie in England’s premier knockout competition — not a pre-season friendly, as some searches have incorrectly indicated. There is no record of a meeting between these clubs in 2022.

Wrexham Starting XI and Key Substitutions

Wrexham lined up with Arthur Okonkwo in goal, while defenders included Liberato Cacace, Oliver Rathbone, and Dominic Hyam. The starting eleven also featured S. Smith, who was replaced by J. Rodriguez in the 97th minute of extra time. G. Thomason entered the match at the 60-minute mark, taking over from Cacace. R. Barnett came on for R. Longman at 91 minutes, with additional changes made around the 69-minute mark.

Nottingham Forest Starting XI and Key Substitutions

Forest’s starting lineup included Oleksandr Zinchenko, who was substituted at halftime when Nottingham Forest made three changes at the interval. N. Williams replaced Zinchenko, M. Gibbs-White came on for D. Bakwa, and N. Domínguez entered for J. McAtee. Callum Hudson-Odoi proved instrumental from the bench, scoring twice in the second half. T. Awoniyi replaced D. Luiz at 88 minutes. The Premier League side utilized their squad depth but could not prevent the upset.

Head-to-Head Record and Key Scorers in Wrexham vs Nottm Forest

Goalscorers for Both Teams

Wrexham’s three goals came through Liberato Cacace at 37 minutes, Oliver Rathbone at 40 minutes, and Dominic Hyam at 74 minutes. For Nottingham Forest, Igor Jesus scored at 64 minutes, while Callum Hudson-Odoi struck twice at 76 and 89 minutes to force extra time and a penalty shootout. Hyam’s goal proved particularly important, restoring Wrexham’s two-goal advantage after Forest had begun their comeback. Statistical tracking from Sofascore placed Wrexham’s xG at 1.37 against Forest’s 1.67 across the full 90 minutes.

Penalty Shootout Details

The shootout ended 4-3 in favour of Wrexham. For the League One side, J. Windass, G. Doyle, and J. Thomason converted their penalties, with J. McClean missing. J. Rodriguez scored the decisive fifth penalty. For Forest, M. Gibbs-White and N. Williams scored their spot kicks, but Arthur Okonkwo saved efforts from Igor Jesus and Omari Hutchinson to clinch victory for Wrexham.

Highlights and How to Watch Wrexham vs Nottm Forest Replay

Full match highlights are available through multiple sources, including extended coverage of the penalty shootout, which lasted over 18 minutes. Video content includes the complete shootout sequence and match previews covering the lead-up to the tie. ESPN provided detailed minute-by-minute analysis of the entire match, alongside coverage from World Soccer Talk.

For those wishing to rewatch the encounter, official club channels and sports broadcasting platforms remain the primary sources for match footage. The result attracted considerable attention given Nottingham Forest’s status as a Premier League club facing lower-league opposition in a competitive cup environment.

Match Timeline: Key Events from Kickoff to Final Whistle

1. 15’–17′: Early attacking attempts from both sides; Nottingham Forest saw a goal disallowed during this spell.
2. 37′: Liberato Cacace opened the scoring for Wrexham, giving the home side a 1-0 lead.
3. 40′: Oliver Rathbone doubled Wrexham’s advantage just before halftime.
4. 46′: Halftime brought three Nottingham Forest substitutions, with N. Williams, M. Gibbs-White, and N. Domínguez all introduced.
5. 60’–64′: G. Thomason replaced Cacace for Wrexham; Igor Jesus pulled one back for Forest, making it 2-1.
6. 69’–74′: Wrexham made changes; Dominic Hyam restored the two-goal advantage, extending the lead to 3-1.
7. 75’–76′: Callum Hudson-Odoi scored his first goal of the evening, reducing the deficit to 3-2.
8. 86’–89′: Yellow cards shown to Forest players; Hudson-Odoi equalized in the closing minutes to level at 3-3.
9. Extra time (91’–120′): J. Rodriguez replaced S. Smith at 97 minutes; further yellow cards issued; no additional goals.
10. Penalties: Arthur Okonkwo saved spot kicks from Igor Jesus and Omari Hutchinson; Wrexham won 4-3 on penalties.

What Is Confirmed and What Remains Unclear

What This Result Means for Both Clubs

Wrexham’s advancement represents a significant achievement for the club, which has attracted international attention since actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney took ownership. The victory over a Premier League side in a competitive cup format reflects the club’s continued upward trajectory and growing capacity to compete against higher-tier opposition. Arthur Okonkwo’s shootout heroics drew particular praise, with observers noting his record of delivering in high-pressure moments against teams from superior divisions. CBS Sports was among the outlets that examined the tactical dimensions of the result in post-match analysis.

For Nottingham Forest, the defeat marks a disappointing early exit from the FA Cup against lower-league opposition. Despite dominating possession and creating the greater volume of chances in the second half, Forest were unable to convert their territorial control into a regulation victory. The introduction of quality substitutes shifted the balance of play but could not prevent Wrexham from holding on through extra time and the shootout. The club now turns its attention back to the Premier League campaign.

Sources and Match Reporting

Wrexham’s performance was described as “special” in the context of their continued ability to overcome higher-ranked opponents in competitive fixtures.

— ESPN match report

Coverage of the match spanned several outlets. World Soccer Talk provided minute-by-minute updates throughout, while statistical data from Sofascore captured the possession and shot comparisons that underlined the gulf in expected chances. The match also featured prominently in reporting from BBC Sport and was discussed in the broader context of both clubs’ 2025-26 seasons.

Goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo’s performance attracted sustained attention from analysts, who highlighted his composure in eliminating a Premier League side via the shootout. The club’s ownership profile, with Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney at the helm, continues to amplify interest in Wrexham’s progress through competitions such as the FA Cup. Further tactical breakdowns appeared across platforms including Sky Sports in the days following the fixture.

Summary

Wrexham progressed to the next round of the FA Cup following a dramatic victory over Nottingham Forest on January 9, 2026. The match, played at STōK Cae Ras, ended 3-3 after regular time and extra time, with Wrexham winning the subsequent penalty shootout 4-3. Arthur Okonkwo proved decisive in the shootout, saving penalties from Igor Jesus and Omari Hutchinson. The result marks a significant achievement for Wrexham against Premier League opposition, building on the club’s recent history of overcoming higher-tier teams. For more coverage of cup competitions and European fixtures, see our analysis of Borussia Dortmund vs Real Madrid Lineups – Confirmed Teams, Tactics.

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