Wrexham 3-3 (4-3 on pens) Nottingham Forest: Report, result and goals as Red Dragons down Premier League club
Stay updated with all the highlights from Wrexham against Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup.
Wrexham celebrated a momentous FA Cup victory over Nottingham Forest via penalties following a thrilling match that concluded at 3-3 after extra-time.
The Championship team delivered a bold first-half performance, netting two well-executed goals that left the Premier League opponents struggling to find their footing.
Wrexham’s first goal came in the 37th minute when Liberato Cacace seized possession outside the penalty area and sent a low right-footed shot into the bottom corner, catching Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels off guard.
That sense of confidence was bolstered just three minutes later. Nathan Broadhead’s clever movement created space inside the box, allowing him to pass to an onrushing Oliver Rathbone.
Rathbone kept his cool and deftly placed his shot past Sels, putting Wrexham ahead with a well-deserved 2-0 lead.
Forest posed intermittent threats prior to the half-time break, but Okonkwo was generally unchallenged as Wrexham maintained their edge going into the interval.
Upon returning to the field, Forest quickly made an impact with a triple substitution. The changes bore fruit immediately, as the visitors found the net in the 64th minute. Nicolo Savona sent in a cross from the right, which Igor Jesus connected with via a solid header from close range to reduce the score to 2-1.
Omari Hutchinson steps up…. AND IS SAVED BY ARTHUR OKONKWO AND WE WIN THE SHOOTOUT!!!Wrexham AFC: Nottingham Forest: #WxmAFC— Wrexham AFC (@Wrexham_AFC) January 9, 2026
However, momentum shifted back in Wrexham’s favor just ten minutes later. A set-piece opportunity saw George Dobson’s delivery create chaos in the Forest box, and Dominic Hyam leapt highest to head in from close range, restoring a two-goal lead at 3-1. At that moment, Wrexham appeared on track for a historic win.
Forest, undeterred, gradually transformed the match into a relentless pressure situation. Callum Hudson-Odoi narrowed the gap in the 76th minute, launching a low finish past Okonkwo following sustained pressure.
As Wrexham fell deeper into their half, Forest continued pushing players forward, and their persistence paid off in the 90th minute when Hudson-Odoi found the net again, converting from close range to take the match to extra time.
The additional 30 minutes unfolded at an intense tempo. Forest held the majority of possession and created more clear-cut chances, but Okonkwo executed a series of crucial saves, thwarting attempts from Igor Jesus, Omari Hutchinson, and Neco Williams.
Meanwhile, Wrexham posed a threat on counter-attacks and set pieces, with James McClean and Josh Windass both coming close to scoring.
Rodríguez converts for the hosts. Omari sees his effort saved.— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) January 9, 2026
Penalty heroics
With no further goals in sight, the match proceeded to penalties to determine the outcome. Josh Windass and Morgan Gibbs-White successfully converted the initial kicks, but James McClean missed for Wrexham, sending his shot wide. Forest then had a chance to take control, but Okonkwo saved from Igor Jesus, reversing the momentum back to the hosts.
Both teams continued to convert under pressure, with contributions from Callum Doyle, Callum Hudson-Odoi, George Thomason, and Neco Williams maintaining parity in the shootout.
The pivotal moment came when Okonkwo denied Omari Hutchinson, diving low to his right to execute a second vital save.
This enabled Jay Rodriguez to step up and take the decisive penalty, which he calmly slotted into the bottom corner to secure a 4-3 victory in the shootout.
This outcome was a remarkable achievement for Wrexham, who will be eager to meet another Premier League giant in the upcoming fourth round.
Published: 2026-01-09 22:21:00
source: www.101greatgoals.com
