Lead
On 9 January 2026 at STōK Cae Ras, Wrexham forced a 3-3 draw with Premier League side Nottingham Forest before winning 4-3 on penalties in the FA Cup third round. The Welsh club — buoyed by owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney — twice held two-goal leads but were hauled back each time, with Callum Hudson-Odoi scoring twice for Forest to force extra time. After 30 minutes of extra time produced no winner, goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo made two decisive saves in the shootout to send Wrexham into the last 32. The result marked Wrexham’s first victory over top-flight opposition since beating Middlesbrough in December 1999 at the same stage.
Key Takeaways
- Wrexham progressed to the FA Cup last 32 by defeating Nottingham Forest on penalties (4-3) after a 3-3 draw on 9 January 2026.
- Arthur Okonkwo was the shootout hero, saving two penalties (from Igor Jesus and Omari Hutchinson) to secure the win.
- Wrexham twice led by two goals — first through Liberato Cacace (37′) and Oliver Rathbone (40′), then again when Dominic Hyam headed a George Dobson free kick with 16 minutes left.
- Callum Hudson-Odoi pulled Forest level with goals in the 89th minute and in extra time, completing a dramatic comeback from a team sitting 17th in the Premier League.
- The match was the first meeting with Premier League opposition since Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s takeover nearly five years ago and the club’s first top-flight scalp in 26 years (Middlesbrough, Dec 1999).
- Forest made extensive changes after a midweek win, retaining only Matz Sels, Igor Jesus and Omari Hutchinson from the starting XI that beat West Ham; Neco Williams began on the bench.
- Referee Paul Tierney disallowed a Douglas Luiz volley after ruling the ball was controlled by hand before scoring (17th minute).
- Wrexham entered the tie amid a four-game winning run in the Championship and had chosen to rest injured striker Kieffer Moore.
Background
Wrexham’s rise over the past five years has been one of the most closely watched stories in English football. Under the co-ownership of actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, the club climbed from non-league to the Championship via three straight promotions, altering expectations for a once-sleepy Welsh club. The FA Cup has historically offered smaller clubs a chance to test themselves against higher-level opposition; for Wrexham, a tie with Premier League Nottingham Forest represented both a sporting and symbolic milestone.
Nottingham Forest arrived at STōK Cae Ras as last season’s FA Cup semi-finalists and a side navigating the Premier League season from 17th place. Manager Sean Dyche balanced squad rotation after a league victory on Tuesday, making eight changes while keeping a handful of regulars. The tie therefore carried contrasting incentives: for Forest, squad management and continuity; for Wrexham, a chance to create a memorable giant-killing on home turf and sustain momentum in a promotion-chasing Championship campaign.
Main Event
The match opened with early chances for the visitors, including a shot over from Igor Jesus and a Douglas Luiz volley that initially appeared to be a goal before Paul Tierney ruled out the strike for a handball in the build-up (17′). Wrexham, tidy in possession, grew into the game and struck twice in the closing stages of the first half. Liberato Cacace scored his first goal for the club in the 37th minute with a 20-yard drive that took a slight deflection, and Oliver Rathbone added a second three minutes later as Wrexham looked to have established control.
Forest responded at halftime with three substitutions that brought on Neco Williams, Morgan Gibbs-White and Nicolás Domínguez, and the visitors immediately looked more fluid. Okonkwo produced a series of saves to keep Wrexham in front, but Igor Jesus managed to pull a goal back when a header from a Forest delivery was adjudged to have crossed the line. The momentum swung again when Dominic Hyam powered in a George Dobson free kick; with 16 minutes remaining Wrexham led by two again and the home crowd sensed the finish line.
The drama intensified late. Forest substitute Callum Hudson-Odoi produced two standout finishes — the first an 89th-minute strike to make it 3-3 and the second, a deft chest-and-volley in extra time that sent the game to penalties. After 30 minutes of extra time produced no further goals, the tie went to a shootout where Arthur Okonkwo saved attempts from Igor Jesus and Omari Hutchinson, while successive spot-kicks were converted to give Wrexham a 4-3 shootout victory and progression in the FA Cup.
Analysis & Implications
Sportingly, the result is a sizable boost for Wrexham’s belief and profile. Beating Premier League opposition, even with rotation, reinforces the narrative of a club on the rise and provides a morale lift for players and supporters alike. For a Championship side that has ridden momentum from promotion seasons, cup successes can also translate into increased confidence in the league run-in and a reminder of the squad’s capacity to compete with higher-level opponents.
For Nottingham Forest, the match raises questions about squad depth and the cost of rotation. Dyche’s changes were understandable given league priorities, but the comeback required defensive reorganization and late-game urgency that nearly paid off. The tie exposes vulnerabilities when fringe players are relied upon to close out tense matches, a point that could influence selection and transfer planning as Forest fight to improve their Premier League standing.
Individually, Arthur Okonkwo’s performance will draw attention. Two penalty saves in a high-pressure shootout enhance his reputation and highlight the value of an in-form goalkeeper in cup ties. Conversely, Hudson-Odoi’s brace underlines his ability to change games as a substitute, a profile that could make him a targeted option for consistent minutes if Forest are to maximize his impact.
Comparison & Data
| Year | Competition Stage | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | FA Cup 3rd round | Middlesbrough | Wrexham win (last top-flight scalp before 2026) |
| 2026 (Jan 9) | FA Cup 3rd round | Nottingham Forest | 3-3 (Wrexham won 4-3 on penalties) |
The table highlights that Wrexham’s victory over top-flight competition is a rare occurrence, the first in 26 years. Contextualizing this with Wrexham’s three consecutive promotions (from non-league to the Championship) underscores the scale of the club’s transformation since the Reynolds–MacElhenney takeover. The cup win does not change league positioning, but it does provide a data point in favor of Wrexham’s competitive trajectory against higher-tier teams.
Reactions & Quotes
Match reports noted the intensity of the crowd and the emotional high of the penalty win for Wrexham supporters.
ESPN (sports media match report)
Club coverage emphasized the significance of a top-flight scalp and the role of supporters in creating a charged atmosphere at STōK Cae Ras.
Wrexham AFC (official club coverage)
Commentators highlighted Forest’s late fightback and the impact of tactical rotation on the final result.
Press accounts (news agency coverage)
Unconfirmed
- The precise order and team allocation of successful penalty takers in the shootout (beyond the two saves by Okonkwo) varies between initial summaries and requires the official match report for a minute-by-minute shootout sequence.
- Any direct post-match comments from managers or players not published in the cited reports remain unconfirmed pending official quotes from club statements or press conferences.
Bottom Line
Wrexham’s penalty victory over Nottingham Forest on 9 January 2026 is both symbolic and practical: symbolic in that it marks a rare success against top-flight opposition and practical in that it sustains momentum for a club that has rapidly climbed the league ladder. The result will boost morale, raise the club’s national profile and potentially increase commercial and media interest in the short term.
For Nottingham Forest, the tie is a reminder that rotation carries risk and that late-game management will be central to their Premier League survival push. Both clubs take away useful lessons: Wrexham gains confidence and momentum; Forest collect diagnostic data about squad depth and in-game resilience. The tie should be seen as a high-variance cup event rather than definitive evidence of long-term superiority.