Wrexham 2-4 Chelsea: Garnacho & Pedro score in extra time to help Blues qualify

Chelsea twice came from behind to scupper 10-man Wrexham's hopes of a giant-killing in a thrilling FA Cup fifth-round tie in Wales.

Match Report

Wrexham had pushed Chelsea all the way and twice led, but George Dobson's 93rd minute red card proved costly, as the Blues eventually got themselves over the line. 

The Championship side stunned Chelsea in the 17th minute when Callum Doyle's long punt over the top was collected by Sam Smith, who took a touch before finishing beyond Robert Sanchez, with the Chelsea goalkeeper punished for his moment of hesitation. 

However, for all their dominance, the home side were pegged back five minutes before the break in unfortunate circumstances as Garnacho's effort was cleared off the line by George Thomason, only for the rebound to cannon back off Arthur Okonkwo and in. 

Chelsea turned the screw after the break, but found themselves behind once again in the 78th minute when Doyle instinctively flicked Josh Windass' strike at goal past Sanchez. 

Josh Acheampong provided an almost instant response for Liam Rosenior's side, though, as he rifled the ball into the roof of the net just four minutes after the Blues went behind. 

And after Pedro Neto had rattled the crossbar, Wrexham's task was made even tougher when Dobson was sent off in second-half stoppage time following a late and high challenge on Garnacho, his initial yellow card being upgraded after a VAR review. 

Chelsea made their man advantage count six minutes into extra-time when Dario Essugo's pinpoint cross was volleyed home by Garnacho, though Wrexham gave the eight-time winners a scare in the 114th minute. 

Lewis Brunt headed in at the back post after Kieffer Moore's flick from a corner, but Wrexham's joy was short-lived, with the goal ruled out for offside, with Chelsea making the most of that reprieve when Joao Pedro finished past Okonkwo in the 125th minute. 

Data Debrief: Garnacho's cup heroics spare Chelsea's blushes

Chelsea have now progressed from their last 25 FA Cup ties against sides from a lower division, since losing 4-2 to Bradford City in January 2015, though they were put through their paces to reach the last eight of the competition. 

Wrexham had the better of the expected goals (xG) battle, registering a total of 1.8 from their 19 shots to Chelsea's 1.62 from their 21 attempts, with the Blues' individual quality in the final third proving to be the difference. 

Garnacho provided the decisive moment with his first FA Cup goal since netting against Manchester City in the 2024 final for Manchester United. The Argentine now has five goals in seven games in domestic cup competitions for Chelsea this season, compared to two in 25 matches in the Premier League and Champions League. 

But the Blues were given a helping hand by Dobson, who became the first Wrexham player to be sent off in the FA Cup proper (first round onwards) since Luke Young against Newport County in December 2018. 

Match Events

0' The match is about to start!

0' Chelsea carry out their centre-circle huddle before kick-off

14' Match Event for Wrexham vs Chelsea

18' GOAL! Smith beats Tosin and finishes superbly past Sanchez! Wrexham 1-0 Chelsea

23' Romeo Lavia goes into the referee's book for a late challenge

28' An off-balance Garnacho registers first attempt but skies his shot off-target

40' OWN GOAL! Blues level thanks to a huge slice of luck! Wrexham 1-1 Chelsea

55' Garnacho receives the ball to left but drags a low shot well wide of far post

64' Hato has a shot following Neto's set-up, which is wide

72' Garnacho's long-range attempt is comfortably caught by Arthur Okonkwo

79' GOAL! Doyle scores to help hosts retake the lead! Wrexham 2-1 Chelsea

82' GOAL! Acheampong smashes a shot to equalize quickly! Wrexham 2-2 Chelsea

85' Thomason sees a shot saved by Sanchez and Windass can't find net with his header

89' CLOSE! Neto's excellent strike crashes off the crossbar and Wrexham escape

93' Red Card! George Dobson sent off

95' Highlight from Wrexham vs Chelsea

97' GOAL! Garnacho scores to put Blues ahead! Wrexham 2-3 Chelsea

115' Lewis Brunt scores for 10-man hosts but he's offside

Line-ups

Wrexham XI: George Dobson, Dominic Hyam, Zak Vyner, Oliver Rathbone, Sam Smith, Ryan Longman, Lewis O'Brien, Arthur Okonkwo, Max Cleworth, George Thomason, Callum Doyle

Subs: Jay Rodriguez, Ward, Kieffer Moore, Josh Windass, Nathan Broadhead, Dan Scarr, Davis Keillor-Dunn, Ryan Barnett, Lewis Brunt

Chelsea XI: Adarabioyo, Robert Sánchez, Pedro Neto, Badiashile, Garnacho, Liam Delap, Lavia, Mamadou Sarr, Jorrel Hato, Andrey Santos, Josh Acheampong

Subs: Cucurella, Trevoh Chalobah, Reece James, João Pedro, Gusto, Dário Essugo, Teddy Sharman-Lowe, Guiu, Jesse Derry