Chelsea thwart Wrexham's dramatic comeback with ten men in electrifying FA Cup clash

On March 7, 2026, a dramatic collision occurred between Wrexham's English goalkeeper #01 Arthur Okonkwo and Chelsea's Spanish striker #38 Marc Guiu during the English FA Cup fifth round football match at the Racecourse Ground Stadium in Wrexham, north Wales.

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Chelsea twice came from behind to deny Wrexham a fairytale FA Cup triumph, ultimately edging past the second-tier side 4-2 in a captivating contest to reach the quarter-finals.

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Wrexham, watched by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney at the Racecourse Ground, took the lead through Sam Smith, but the visitors were level courtesy of an own goal shortly before half-time.

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In the 78th minute, Callum Doyle put the Welsh team back ahead again, only for Josh Acheampong to equalise four minutes later, shifting the momentum of the game.

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The game's complexion changed when George Dobson was sent off in stoppage time, and Alejandro Garnacho volleyed home in the first period of extra time, before Joao Pedro's late strike added gloss to the scoreline.

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Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior made nine changes to his starting team against the Championship club, juggling Premier League and Champions League commitments.

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In-form Wrexham, who put out Premier League club Nottingham Forest earlier in the competition, went ahead in the 18th minute when Doyle found Smith with a raking long pass, and Smith finished coolly past Robert Sanchez.

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Chelsea enjoyed the bulk of possession but created little against Phil Parkinson's organised side, who are targeting a fourth-consecutive promotion — this time to the Premier League.

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Wrexham suffered heartbreak five minutes before half-time when the ball squirmed into the net off the back of goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo for an own goal, levelling the score.

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Wrexham started the second half on the front foot again, putting Chelsea's defence under huge pressure, roared on by a passionate home crowd, prompting Rosenior to bring on forward Marc Guiu for defender Mamadou Sarr just before the hour mark.

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Rosenior also threw on Marc Cucurella and Dario Essugo a few minutes later, as Wrexham continued to make life uncomfortable for the Club World Cup champions.

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Wrexham re-took the lead with a brilliant, instinctive flick from Doyle, who turned home Josh Windass's shot in the 78th minute, but just minutes later Chelsea were all-square again, with Acheampong firing into the roof of the net.

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Josh Windass had a glorious chance to put Wrexham in front for a third time but headed wide with Sanchez stranded, and Pedro Neto rattled the bar at the other end, as the match hung in the balance.

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The dynamic of the match shifted when Dobson was sent off in stoppage time by referee Peter Bankes following a VAR review, giving Wrexham a mountain to climb.

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Wrexham's task was even harder when Essugo's cross was finished crisply by Garnacho in the sixth minute of extra time, further complicating their chances of a comeback.

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Astonishingly, Wrexham had the ball in the net again after Kieffer Moore's header was turned home by Lewis Brunt, but the goal was ruled out for offside by VAR, crushing their hopes.

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Lewis O'Brien flashed just wide as Parkinson's side finally ran out of chances, with substitute Pedro grabbing a fourth for Chelsea, sealing the victory.

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Chelsea now turn their attentions to a Champions League last-16 date with Paris Saint-Germain in midweek, while Wrexham will continue their push to reach the Premier League.