Wolverhampton Wanderers narrowly defeated Grimsby Town 1-0 in a gripping FA Cup fourth-round encounter, with Santiago Bueno’s second-half strike proving decisive.
The atmosphere at Blundell Park was electric for this classic 'David vs. Goliath' FA Cup tie on February 15, 2026. League Two Grimsby aimed to upset their Premier League visitors, Wolves, in front of a passionate home crowd.
The first half unfolded as a physical contest, marked by robust challenges across the pitch. Wolves defender Yerson Mosquera received the game's first yellow card in the 29th minute for a foul.
Grimsby responded with a booking of their own just five minutes later when C. McJannet was shown a yellow card. The intensity of the match was clear for all to see.
Wolves midfielder André also earned a yellow card in the 36th minute, highlighting the combative nature of the opening period. Despite the bookings, neither side managed to break the deadlock before the interval.
Both teams entered halftime with the score at 0-0, leaving the tie finely poised. Grimsby’s defence had held firm, while Wolves needed to find more penetration to unlock their resilient League Two opponents.
Grimsby made early second-half changes in the 57th minute, introducing K. Green for J. Walker and A. Cook for J. Kabia to refresh their attacking options. The substitutions aimed to provide new impetus.
However, it was Wolves who found their breakthrough shortly after. In the 60th minute, Santiago Bueno drilled home the decisive goal for the visitors. João Gomes provided the assist with a clever pass, allowing Bueno to slot the ball past the Grimsby goalkeeper.
Grimsby pushed for an equalizer, making further substitutions to boost their offensive efforts. T. Sellars-Fleming replaced C. Vernam in the 74th minute, and R. Staunton came on for J. Sweeney in the 75th. J. Amaluzor then replaced D. Burns in the 83rd minute as the Mariners desperately sought a leveller.
Despite Grimsby's late pressure, Wolves held firm to secure their victory. The Premier League side managed to control the game's final moments, making their final change as J. Bellegarde replaced André in the 89th minute.
Grimsby displayed strong fight, holding 55% possession and registering 11 total shots, though only one hit the target. Wolves, despite less possession at 45%, managed 14 total shots, also with just one on target – Bueno's crucial goal. Wolves goalkeeper Sam Johnstone made the only save of the match.
Wolverhampton Wanderers successfully avoided a potential FA Cup upset, securing their place in the fifth round. Grimsby Town can take pride in their tenacious performance against top-flight opposition, now refocusing on their League Two campaign.
