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Chelsea twice came from behind to deny Hollywood-owned Wrexham a fairytale FA Cup triumph on Saturday, edging past the second-tier side 4-2 in a captivating contest to reach the quarter-finals.

Wrexham, watched at the Racecourse Ground by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, took the lead through Sam Smith, but the visitors were level courtesy of an own goal shortly before half-time.

In a breathless second period, Callum Doyle put the Welsh team back ahead again in the 78th minute, only for Josh Acheampong to equalise four minutes later.

The game changed complexion when George Dobson was sent off in stoppage time, and Alejandro Garnacho volleyed home in the first period of extra time before Joao Pedro’s late strike added gloss to the scoreline.

Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior, juggling Premier League and Champions League commitments, made nine changes to his starting team against the Championship club.

In-form Wrexham, who put out Premier League club Nottingham Forest earlier in the competition, went ahead in the 18th minute when Doyle found Smith with a raking long pass.

Smith’s first touch was superb, and he raced away from Tosin Adarabioyo before finishing coolly past Robert Sanchez.

Chelsea enjoyed the bulk of possession but created little against Phil Parkinson’s organised side, who are targeting a fourth-consecutive promotion — this time to the Premier League.

But Wrexham suffered heartbreak five minutes before half-time when the ball squirmed into the net off the back of goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo for an own goal.

Wrexham started the second half on the front foot again, putting Chelsea’s defence under huge pressure, roared on by a passionate home crowd.

Rosenior brought on forward Marc Guiu for defender Mamadou Sarr just before the hour mark, throwing on Marc Cucurella and Dario Essugo a few minutes later.

Wrexham continued to make life uncomfortable for the Club World Cup champions and retook the lead with a brilliant, instinctive flick from Doyle, who turned home Josh Windass’s shot in the 78th minute.

But just minutes later, Chelsea were all-square again, with Acheampong firing into the roof of the net.

Windass had a glorious chance to put Wrexham in front for a third time, but headed wide with Sanchez stranded and Pedro Neto rattling the bar at the other end.

Red Card

The dynamic of the match shifted when Dobson was sent off in stoppage time by referee Peter Bankes following a VAR review.

That gave Wrexham a mountain to climb, and their task was even harder when Essugo’s cross was finished crisply by Garnacho in the sixth minute of extra time.

Astonishingly, Wrexham had the ball in the net again after Kieffer Moore’s header was turned home by Lewis Brunt, but the goal was ruled out for offside by VAR.

Lewis O’Brien flashed just wide as Parkinson’s side finally ran out of chances with substitute Pedro grabbing a fourth for Chelsea.

Chelsea now turn their attentions to a Champions League last-16 date with Paris Saint-Germain in midweek, while Wrexham will continue their push to reach the Premier League.

AFP

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Mikel Arteta has slammed Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler’s claim that Arsenal “make their own rules” after the Premier League leaders moved a step closer to the title with a 1-0 win at the Amex Stadium on Wednesday.

Bukayo Saka’s deflected strike early in the first half sealed Arsenal’s third successive victory.

The Gunners are seven points clear of second-placed Manchester City, who were held to a surprise 2-2 draw by lowly Nottingham Forest.
Arteta have complete control of the title race as they chase a first English crown since 2004 after three consecutive runners-up finishes.
But if Arsenal do go on to claim the title, it is highly unlikely they will be held in the same regard as Arsene Wenger’s squad 22 years ago.

In contrast to the eye-catching style of the ‘Invincibles’, there is little to love about Arteta’s prosaic team, who have thrived thanks to their set-piece excellence and a supremely well-drilled defence.
Criticism of Arsenal’s ‘ugly’ tactics is growing, and Hurzeler was the latest to join the chorus as he accused the Gunners of time-wasting and faking injuries.
Hurzeler was frustrated by Arsenal’s habit of delaying the restart of the game at free-kicks.

Gunners’ keeper David Raya also went down injured on three separate occasions and required treatment, sparking suggestions he was faking to allow time for tactical discussions between Arteta and his players.

“I think there was only one team that tried to play football today. Did you see in a Premier League game a goalkeeper going down that many times? No?” Hurzeler said.
“They (Arsenal) make their own rules. At the moment, I have the feeling they are doing their own rules.
“I will never be the kind of manager who tries to win in that way.

“If I ask everyone in the room, did he really enjoy this game? I’m sure maybe one raises his arm because he’s a big Arsenal fan.

“Where will this go in the future? Is this what the supporters are paying for?”
Yet Arteta was unrepentant about Arsenal’s game plan, insisting his players deserved praise for grinding out another vital victory.

“What a surprise,” he said when informed of Hurzeler’s claims. “If you go back through previous games, you will find a lot of comments like this, always.

“I love my players. That’s the highlight. I love my players, and I love the way we compete.
“When you’re in the position we are in, obviously, the opposition want to take that away from you. That’s normal; that is sport.”

Arsenal aren’t earning many style points, but Arteta doesn’t care as they remain in contention for the quadruple.
As well as leading the Premier League, the Gunners face Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League last 16, meet Manchester City in the League Cup final, and visit Mansfield in the FA Cup fifth round.
Asked whether he cared what other managers thought of him, Arteta replied: “No comment.”

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Nigeria’s hopes of securing a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup have effectively ended after FIFA confirmed the Democratic Republic of the Congo as Africa’s representative in the upcoming inter-confederation play-off tournament.

In an official accreditation notice circulated to media covering the event, FIFA outlined the competition format and confirmed the six nations set to compete for the final two spots at the expanded global tournament.

The announcement excludes Nigeria, whose football authorities had lodged a formal protest following their defeat by DR Congo in the CAF play-offs in November 2025.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) challenged the result, alleging that DR Congo fielded ineligible players during the decisive tie, which ended 1-1 before the Leopards prevailed on penalties.

The NFF sought to overturn the outcome and secure reinstatement into the inter-confederation play-offs.

However, FIFA’s latest communication makes no reference to any amendment to the qualified teams, strongly indicating that the original result stands.

In its statement, FIFA said: “The FIFA World Cup 2026™️ Play-Off Tournament will see six teams fight it out for the final two places at the FIFA World Cup 2026™️, to be staged in Canada, Mexico and the United States across 16 host cities.”

The governing body confirmed the participating nations as Bolivia, DR Congo, Iraq, Jamaica, New Caledonia, and Suriname.

● Tournament format and fixtures

The play-off tournament will take place from March 26 to March 31, 2026, in Guadalajara and Monterrey, Mexico.

According to FIFA, the four lowest-ranked teams in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking — Bolivia, Jamaica, New Caledonia and Suriname — will contest bracket semi-finals.

The two highest-ranked sides — DR Congo and Iraq — will advance directly to the final stage.

This format places DR Congo one match away from qualification, with the African side set to face the winner of Jamaica versus New Caledonia for a place at the 2026 finals.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will be the first edition expanded to 48 teams.

For Nigeria, FIFA’s confirmation brings months of uncertainty to a close. Although no separate public ruling was issued specifically addressing the NFF’s petition, the unchanged list of qualified teams suggests the appeal was unsuccessful.