Chelsea emerged victorious from a thrilling FA Cup encounter, defeating a resilient Wrexham 4-2 in extra time at the Racecourse Ground. Goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Joao Pedro ultimately sealed the Blues' progress after a dramatic second half and a pivotal late red card.
The magic of the FA Cup was palpable on a crisp March evening. Wrexham, the ambitious lower-league side, hosted Premier League giants Chelsea, dreaming of a historic upset. The atmosphere at the Racecourse Ground crackled with anticipation from kick-off.
Wrexham stunned the visitors in the 18th minute. Sam Smith latched onto a precise pass from Callum Doyle, coolly slotting the ball past Robert Sánchez to give the home side a shock lead. The packed stadium erupted in celebration.
Chelsea pressed for an equalizer, but Wrexham's defense held firm. Romeo Lavia earned a yellow card in the 23rd minute, reflecting Chelsea's growing frustration. The home side defended bravely, limiting clear-cut chances.
Just before halftime, fortune swung Chelsea's way. Goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo unfortunately turned the ball into his own net in the 40th minute. This own goal leveled the score, sending both teams into the break at 1-1.
The second half began with renewed intensity as both sides sought an advantage. Chelsea made early substitutions, bringing on fresh legs to inject more pace into their attack. Wrexham maintained their defensive shape.
Wrexham sensationally regained the lead in the 78th minute. Callum Doyle, already an assist provider, fired home a crucial goal with an assist from Josh Windass. The home crowd erupted once more, believing an upset was truly possible.
Chelsea responded swiftly, refusing to lie down. Only four minutes later, in the 82nd minute, Josh Acheampong drilled in an equalizer for the Blues. This tied the score again, setting up a tense finale to normal time.
The game entered stoppage time deadlocked, but a pivotal moment shifted the balance. In the 90+3 minute, Wrexham's George Dobson received a straight red card for roughing. The home side was reduced to ten men, facing extra time with a numerical disadvantage.
Chelsea capitalized on their extra man in the 96th minute. Alejandro Garnacho, an influential attacker, slotted home a goal after good work from Dário Essugo. This finally put Chelsea ahead for the first time in the match.
Wrexham bravely battled on despite being a man down. They even had a goal by Lewis Brunt disallowed for offside in the 114th minute, a decision that could have changed the outcome. It was a heart-breaking moment for the hosts.
With only seconds left in extra time, Chelsea sealed their progression. Joao Pedro found the back of the net in the 120+5 minute, securing a hard-fought 4-2 victory for the Premier League visitors.
