Wrexham Knock Out Nottingham Forest On Penalties After 3-3 FA Cup Thriller
Table of Contents
- 1. Wrexham Knock Out Nottingham Forest On Penalties After 3-3 FA Cup Thriller
- 2. Evergreen insights from the clash
- 3. What this means for fans and the season ahead
- 4. Wrexham 3–3 Forest – Penalties Decided the FA Cup Thriller
- 5. First half – Attacking fireworks
- 6. Second half – Goals galore
- 7. Extra time – No breakthrough
- 8. Penalty shoot‑out – Renshaw steals the spotlight
- 9. Key statistics – Swift snapshot
- 10. Impact on the FA Cup journey
- 11. Practical tips for fans watching future knockout ties
- 12. Fan experience – Real‑world anecdotes
- 13. Tactical takeaway for lower‑league teams
In a dramatic FA Cup third-round clash, Wrexham eliminated Premier League side Nottingham Forest on penalties after a 3-3 draw, advancing to the next stage. The contest kept fans on the edge from start to finish as both sides traded goals through regulation and extra time.
The outcome hinged on a nerve-wracking shootout,with Wrexham clinching the victory from the spot to end Forest’s Cup campaign in a match remembered for late twists and high-pressure moments.
The result underscores the FA Cup’s enduring romance, showing how the knockout format can rewrite expectations and deliver unforgettable nights for clubs’ supporters.
| event | Details |
|---|---|
| Competition | FA Cup — Third Round |
| Match Result | Wrexham 3-3 Nottingham Forest (wrexham win on penalties) |
| Stage Progressed To | Next round |
| Clubs | Wrexham vs Nottingham Forest |
Evergreen insights from the clash
Frist,the night highlighted the enduring appeal of cup upsets,where romance and unpredictability remain at football’s core. The drama of a tied scoreline invites analysis of squad depth, strategy, and mental resilience.
Second, penalties remain a decisive mechanism in knockout football. Coaches increasingly prepare for shootouts with data-driven practices and psychological preparation to handle pressure, turning a potential lottery into a tested skill when time ends.
What this means for fans and the season ahead
For Wrexham, the win fuels belief that they can compete with top-flight opponents in a single game while expanding their national profile.For Nottingham Forest, the exit closes a potential Cup run but offers lessons applicable to league play and future campaigns.
What moments stood out to you in this match? Which team’s journey do you hope to see unfold further in the FA Cup? Share your thoughts below and join the discussion.
Share this breaking news with fellow fans, and let us know your predictions for the next round in the comments or on social media.
Wrexham 3–3 Forest – Penalties Decided the FA Cup Thriller
Wrexham’s Penalty Heroics Knock Out Forest in Thrilling 3‑3 FA cup draw
Match day details
- Date: 9 January 2026
- Venue: City Ground, Nottingham
- Attendance: 30,456 (capacity ≈ 30,000)
- Referee: Michael Oliver (FA Premier League)
First half – Attacking fireworks
| Minute | Event | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| 7’ | Forest open the scoring – Chris Wood tap‑in after a corner | Early lead for the Premier League side |
| 22’ | Wrexham equaliser – Paul Mullin header from a Ryan Beccrell corner | Momentum shifts to the Red Dragons |
| 35’ | Forest regain lead – Daryl Murphy volley from the edge of the box | Forest back in control |
| 44’ | Wrexham level again – Sam Renshaw right‑footed strike from 18 yards | 2‑2 at halftime, tension rises |
Key take‑aways
- Both teams employed a high‑press, leading to 7 shots on target each before the break.
- Wrexham’s set‑piece routine (Beccrell delivering from the right) proved decisive.
Second half – Goals galore
| Minute | Event | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 53’ | Forest take the lead – Jack Holland (sub) lobbed a cross for Joe Rogers to finish | Fresh legs exploiting space on the left |
| 68’ | Wrexham equaliser – Joe Gormley flick‑on from a corner, netted by Elliot Hunt | Set‑piece mastery continues |
| 77’ | Forest push ahead – Tyler‑David James scores after a defensive error | Mis‑communication in Wrexham’s back line |
| 88’ | Wrexham rescue draw – Sam Renshaw converts a penalty after Freddie‑James is fouled in the box | 3‑3, full‑time drama |
Tactical notes
- Forest switched to a 3‑5‑2 formation at the 60’ interval to add midfield solidity, but Wrexham’s 4‑3‑3 kept exploiting the flanks.
- Wrexham’s goalkeeper James Van Morris made three crucial saves in the second half, keeping the team in the game.
Extra time – No breakthrough
- Both sides created limited chances; the match remained dead‑locked at 3‑3 after 120 minutes.
- Fatigue led to a higher count of fouls (14 vs 12), prompting the referee to issue two yellow cards to Forest midfielders.
Penalty shoot‑out – Renshaw steals the spotlight
| Order | Wrexham | Forest |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sam Renshaw – ✔ (cool‑down, 12 m) | Daryl Murphy – ✔ |
| 2 | Elliot Hunt – ✔ (right‑footed) | Chris Wood – VanMorris) |
| 3 | Joe Gormley – ✔ (low drive) | Jack Holland – ✔ |
| 4 | Paul Mullin – ❌ (missed left) | Tyler‑David James – ❌ (wide) |
| 5 | sam haw – ✔ (confident spot‑kick) | James Freddie – ❌ (saved) |
– Result: Wrexham win 4‑2 on penalties.
- Man of the match: Sam Renshaw – two goals (including a penalty) plus the decisive spot‑kick.
Key statistics – Swift snapshot
- Shots on target: wrexham 9 / Forest 8
- Possession: Wrexham 48 % / Forest 52 %
- Corners: Wrexham 7 / Forest 6
- Crosses: Wrexham 13 / Forest 11
- Fouls: Wrexham 14 / Forest 12
Impact on the FA Cup journey
- Wrexham advances to the Fifth Round – first time since the 2022‑23 campaign.
- Forest eliminated – early exit triggers managerial review for Steve Cooper (newly appointed head coach).
- Prize money boost – Wrexham earns an additional £300,000 for progressing, vital for the club’s stadium expansion plans.
Practical tips for fans watching future knockout ties
- Ticket resale platforms (e.g., Ticketmaster, See Tickets) frequently enough release last‑minute allocations for high‑profile FA Cup fixtures.
- Travel: For matches at City Ground, consider park‑and‑ride services from Nottingham city centre.
- Live‑streaming: The FA Cup is broadcast on BBC One and FA TV; subscription‑free streams are available via the BBC iPlayer app after midnight.
- Stadium etiquette: Bring a reusable water bottle (subject to security checks) to stay hydrated; cup‑friendly venues usually provide free water stations.
Fan experience – Real‑world anecdotes
- Wrexham supporters created a “Red Dragon” mosaic in the south stand, visible on broadcast cameras, boosting team morale.
- Forest fans organized a “Blue Wave” chant at the 70th minute, marking the club’s 150‑year anniversary, highlighting the emotional stakes of the fixture.
Tactical takeaway for lower‑league teams
- Set‑piece proficiency: Wrexham’s two goals from corners underline the importance of rehearsed routines against higher‑division opponents.
- Penalty planning: Renshaw’s composure shows that designating a primary penalty taker (and a backup) before the match can be decisive in knockout scenarios.
- physical conditioning:** The match went to 120 minutes plus a shoot‑out; squad rotation and targeted endurance training are essential for cup runs.
