Wrexham vs Nottingham Forest – Score, Highlights & Report

Wrexham AFC eliminated Nottingham Forest from the FA Cup third round on January 9, 2026, securing a 4-3 penalty shootout victory after a dramatic 3-3 draw at the Racecourse Ground. The Championship side upset their Premier League opponents in a match that swung between dominance and desperation before goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo sealed the outcome with two crucial saves.

The Welsh club controlled the first half, establishing a two-goal lead that reflected their tactical discipline. Forest responded with a ferocious second-half recovery, forcing extra time through late goals before the lottery of penalties decided the tie.

The result extended Wrexham’s winning streak to five consecutive matches across all competitions and marked another significant milestone in the club’s rapid ascent from non-league football under the ownership of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

What was the score and who won Wrexham vs Nottingham Forest?

• Wrexham led 2-0 at halftime following quickfire first-half goals
• Nottingham Forest made eight changes from their previous Premier League fixture
• Callum Hudson-Odoi scored twice in the final 15 minutes to force extra time
• Arthur Okonkwo saved penalties from Igor Jesus and Omari Hutchinson during the shootout
• The victory marked Wrexham’s fifth consecutive win across all competitions
• Ryan Reynolds attended the match at the Racecourse Ground
• James MacLean missed for Wrexham during the penalty sequence

Key highlights and lineups from Wrexham vs Nottingham Forest

Match highlights

Liberato Cacace opened the scoring for Wrexham in the 37th minute, converting a chance that rewarded the hosts’ first-half pressure. Within three minutes, Oliver Rathbone doubled the advantage, placing the Championship side in a commanding position before the interval.

The second half produced a remarkable shift in momentum. Igor Jesus reduced the deficit for Forest in the 64th minute with a header, only for Dominic Hyam to restore the two-goal cushion ten minutes later with a diving header. The match appeared settled until Callum Hudson-Odoi struck in the 76th and 89th minutes, his second goal forcing the tie into extra time.

Starting lineups and rotation

Forest manager Sean Dyche made eight changes from the side that defeated West Ham in the Premier League four days earlier, effectively fielding a reserve team in the initial lineup. The extensive rotation included debuts or rare appearances for fringe squad members, with reinforcements including Neco Williams, Nicolas Dominguez, and Morgan Gibbs-White entering the match after halftime.

Decisive player performances

Arthur Okonkwo’s performance in the penalty shootout proved decisive. The Wrexham goalkeeper saved efforts from Igor Jesus and Omari Hutchinson, compensating for teammate James MacLean’s miss during the sequence. Okonkwo’s heroics followed 120 minutes of organized defending that limited Forest’s clear chances despite their possession dominance in latter stages.

Head to head record: Wrexham vs Nottingham Forest history

Previous meetings

Specific historical head-to-head records between Wrexham and Nottingham Forest are not documented in available match reports from this fixture. The January 2026 encounter represents a rare competitive meeting between the two clubs, given their differing historical trajectories and league positions prior to Wrexham’s recent promotion to the Championship tier.

Form and trajectory

Wrexham entered the match on a four-game winning streak, which extended to five following this victory. The club has achieved three promotions in three seasons since the 2020 Hollywood takeover, climbing from the National League to the second tier. Nottingham Forest, competing in the top flight, had secured victory against West Ham immediately before this cup tie but prioritized squad rotation for the FA Cup fixture.

How to watch Wrexham vs Nottingham Forest and predictions

Broadcast information

Specific broadcast details and streaming channels for this particular match were not confirmed in available match reports. The FA Cup third round traditionally receives coverage from various international broadcasters and streaming platforms, though regional availability varies by jurisdiction.

Pre-match expectations

Analysts widely favored Nottingham Forest given their Premier League status and Wrexham’s position in the Championship. Forest’s extensive rotation policy, however, suggested internal priorities lay with league survival rather than cup progression. The match outcome represented a significant upset against pre-match predictions, which had anticipated Forest’s superior squad depth would prevail regardless of lineup changes.

What happened during each stage of the match?

1. Pre-match: Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche made eight changes from the side that beat West Ham, fielding a virtual reserve team initially. Source: Flashscore
2. 37th minute: Liberato Cacace opened the scoring for Wrexham. Source: ClickOnDetroit
3. 40th minute: Oliver Rathbone doubled Wrexham’s lead within three minutes. Source: Flashscore
4. Halftime: Wrexham led 2-0. Source: ClickOnDetroit
5. 64th minute: Igor Jesus pulled one back with a header for Forest. Source: ClickOnDetroit
6. 74th minute: Dominic Hyam restored Wrexham’s two-goal advantage with a diving header. Source: ESPN
7. 76th minute: Callum Hudson-Odoi scored to make it 3-2. Source: ClickOnDetroit
8. 89th minute: Hudson-Odoi struck again to force extra time. Source: Flashscore
9. Full time: The score remained 3-3, sending the match to extra time. Source: ClickOnDetroit
10. Extra time: No goals were scored in the additional 30 minutes. Source: ClickOnDetroit
11. Penalty shootout: Wrexham won 4-3. Arthur Okonkwo saved penalties from Igor Jesus and Omari Hutchinson. James MacLean missed for Wrexham. Source: ESPN

What details are confirmed and what remains unclear?

Why does this result matter for both clubs?

The victory represents a significant milestone in Wrexham’s trajectory since Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney purchased the club in 2020. Having climbed from the National League to the Championship in three seasons, the Welsh side demonstrated their ability to compete with and defeat established Premier League opposition. The result maintained their momentum with a fifth consecutive victory across all competitions.

For Nottingham Forest, the elimination highlighted the challenges of squad rotation in knockout competitions. Manager Sean Dyche’s decision to make eight changes from the side that defeated West Ham indicated prioritization of Premier League survival over cup progression. While the second-half recovery prevented immediate defeat, the ultimate penalty shootout loss denied Forest additional cup revenue and momentum. For readers managing personal finances during sporting events, understanding budget constraints remains important, as outlined in guides like How Much Mortgage Can I Afford – 28/36 Rule and Salary Guide.

What did managers and players say after the match?

It was a rollercoaster game. They knocked the stuffing out of us a bit with those late goals and we had to rally the troops. Arthur has produced the save and will be the hero, and rightly so.

— Phil Parkinson, Wrexham Manager (Flashscore)

The manager spoke to us before the game, told us about the history of the club and how we’re able to beat teams who are way above us. It was amazing to win the game in the end.

— Arthur Okonkwo, Wrexham Goalkeeper (ClickOnDetroit)

Parkinson also expressed delight that co-owner Ryan Reynolds witnessed the victory, describing the triumph as “special” given the Hollywood actor’s presence at the Racecourse Ground. Coverage of similar sporting events can be found through broadcasters like BBC Sport.

What is the key takeaway from this FA Cup tie?

Wrexham’s penalty shootout victory over Nottingham Forest exemplified the FA Cup’s capacity for dramatic upsets, with the Championship side eliminating Premier League opposition through resilience and decisive goalkeeping. The match, which swung from a 2-0 Wrexham lead to a 3-3 draw before the final shootout, demonstrated the competitive balance possible when lower-tier clubs face rotated top-flight lineups. For those documenting such sporting moments digitally, resources like How to Take a Screenshot on Windows – 6 Easy Methods provide useful technical guidance.

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