Wrexham produced one of the stories of the FA Cup third round as they knocked Premier League side Nottingham Forest out on penalties after a dramatic 3-3 draw at the STōK Cae Ras on Friday night. Playing two divisions below their opponents, the Welsh club showed no fear, no panic, and plenty of belief, rewarding a packed Racecourse Ground with a famous night.
The tie had been billed as a tough test for Forest when the draw was made, as SoftFootball noted ahead of kickoff, and it proved even harder than expected. Wrexham flew out of the blocks and deservedly led 2-0 at halftime. Liberato Cacace opened the scoring in the 37th minute before Ollie Rathbone struck again just three minutes later, sending the home fans into disbelief.
Forest improved after the break and pulled one back through Igor Jesus, but Dominic Hyam restored Wrexham’s two-goal cushion with a towering header. Even then, the game refused to settle. Callum Hudson-Odoi, fresh from showing his quality in recent league action highlighted by SoftFootball, dragged Forest back with two late goals to force extra time.
Extra time brought tension rather than goals, with both sides looking exhausted yet cautious. Hudson-Odoi came close to completing a remarkable hat-trick, but Wrexham held firm, pushing the tie to penalties amid a deafening atmosphere.
The shootout was chaotic and emotional. James McClean missed for Wrexham, and for a moment it felt like the underdogs’ run was about to end. Arthur Okonkwo had other ideas.
The goalkeeper, who was celebrated at the end of the match in a video shared by the team’s official X account, saved penalties from Igor Jesus and Omari Hutchinson, swinging momentum back in Wrexham’s favour. Calm finishes from Callum Doyle, George Thomason, and Jay Rodriguez did the rest, sealing a 4-3 shootout win.
Watch the video below:
It was Wrexham’s first FA Cup victory over top-flight opposition in 26 years and another reminder of why this competition still matters. Under the lights, in front of 10,603 supporters, history repeated itself. The Red Dragons march on to the fourth round, and Forest are left wondering how it slipped away.
