Wrexham will get a impolite welcome to the Championship as Southampton twice strikes late for 2-1 win

SOUTHAMPTON, England (AP) — Wrexham was denied a Hollywood-style ending on its return to the Championship, English soccer’s second tier, on Saturday when relegated Premier League group Southampton struck twice within the ultimate minutes to seize a 2-1 win.

Josh Windass’ penalty kick within the twenty second minute seemed sufficient for Wrexham’s first win within the Welsh group’s first recreation again within the division in 43 years.

However Eire defender Ryan Manning equalized within the ninetieth with a superb free kick over the wall inside the best submit after which despatched Jack Stephens sliding in on the far submit to poke the successful objective into the roof of the online within the 97th.

Wrexham missed quite a few adjustments to construct on its lead. Ryan Hardie might need scored within the 87th however goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu tipped his left-footed shot simply extensive.

Southampton went closest earlier than the break when Jay Robinson struck the submit. Conor Coady cleared Adam Armstrong’s effort from the rebound off the road. Wrexham signed Coady from Leicester — he arrived with 198 video games of Premier League expertise.

Wrexham has loved a spectacular rise beneath celeb co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. Simply three years in the past, Wrexham was enjoying non-league soccer in England’s fifth tier.

Ryan Reynolds, Co-Proprietor of Wrexham, and Rob McElhenney, Co-Proprietor of Wrexham, have a good time with gamers of Wrexham Males and Girls throughout a Wrexham FC Bus Parade following their respective Title Profitable Seasons within the Vanarama Nationwide League and Genero Adran North on Could 02, 2023 in Wrexham, Wales. (Photograph by Jan Kruger/Getty Pictures) 

After three straight promotions, Wrexham is within the Championship. It’s one tier under the Premier League and famend as one of many hardest divisions in soccer.

Saturday’s finale confirmed Wrexham simply how powerful it may be.

Some Welsh golf equipment — together with Wrexham, Swansea and Cardiff — have lengthy performed in England’s league system for historic causes as there was no nationwide Welsh league after they moved. The primary league representing all of Wales was solely based in 1992.

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Initially Revealed: August 9, 2025 at 6:58 AM PDT