Middlesbrough kicked off their 2026/27 Carabao Cup campaign with a narrow 1-0 victory over Wrexham, thanks to a debut strike from their new signing, Lankshear. The 21-year-old, who joined the club for a reported £10 million from Tottenham during the summer window, waited just 61 minutes before finding the back of the net. His goal came from a deft first‑time volley that curled into the far corner after Leo Castledine headed Jeremy Sarmiento's delivery into his path.
The strike not only gave Boro the three points but also marked a dream start for the young striker in the Boro shirt. The match began with both sides testing each other early. Middlesbrough came close to taking the lead in the seventh minute when Adilson Malanda nudged Sebastian Berhalter's cross toward goal.
Danny Ward, Wrexham's goalkeeper, produced a spectacular point‑blank save to keep the scores level. Wrexham responded through Danny Imray, who missed a decent opportunity after Callum Doyle's cross, failing to make clean contact. Six minutes before the interval, Sam Smith unleashed a low shot that struck the legs of Middlesbrough keeper Sol Brynn after Nathan Broadhead rolled him into space, but the effort was comfortably saved. The second half saw Lankshear miss a curling effort that sailed just over the bar, but his persistence paid off shortly afterwards.
Castledine’s header set him up, and the youngster turned swiftly to strike a perfect first‑time volley that settled in the far corner, sealing the win for Middlesbrough. A late chance for the visitors was denied when Morgan Whittaker’s low drive hit the post with three minutes remaining, ensuring the score stayed 1-0. Elsewhere in the first round, Wolves delivered a comfortable 3-0 triumph over League Two side Port Vale, all three goals arriving in the opening half. Adam Armstrong, Andre and Fer Lopez each found the net, putting the game beyond the hosts’ reach.
The victory also marked Cesar Peixoto’s first match in charge of Wolves, a win that should boost his confidence. Port Vale had moments of promise: Jordan Lawrence‑Gabriel produced a spectacular chance that went wide, and Mo Faal saw a penalty saved by Dan Bentley’s legs, denying the visitors a consolation goal.
The Molineux crowd of 21,360 was more focused on celebrating the return of club hero Raul Jimenez, who re‑joined Wolves this summer after three seasons at Fulham. Jimenez entered as a late substitute and unleashed a powerful shot, but he was unable to add to his tally against a disciplined Port Vale defence. Nevertheless, Wolves progress to the second round of the Carabao Cup. Stevenage also booked a place in the next round after a dramatic 2-1 win at Wycombe.
New signing Josh Magennis, who arrived from Exeter, headed the decisive goal in the dying seconds of second‑half stoppage time. The winner came from a corner taken by Phoenix Patterson, which Magennis met with a well‑timed header to clinch the match.
The game had earlier drama. Wycombe took the lead in the 27th minute when midfielder Dan Kemp capitalised on a hesitant defensive line, driving a low shot past the Stevenage keeper.
The visitors responded quickly, with Ewan Henderson equalising in the 38th minute after a precise cross from Silko Thomas on the left. Henderson slipped past the Wycombe back line and slotted a right‑footed finish from just outside the six‑yard box. Stevenage continued to threaten, and Kemp rattled the bar with a strike from the edge of the box just before half‑time.
In the second half, Wycombe attempted to dominate but struggled to create clear chances. Substitute Emre Tezgel, replacing Cauley Woodrow, was denied by Boro captain Carl Piergianni when he tried to force home Thomas’ left‑wing cross in the 77th minute. Magennis’s late header finally settled the contest, sending Stevenage through.
The Carabao Cup returns for the 2026/27 season with all first‑round fixtures available live on Sky Sports. The opening round features clubs from the Championship, League One and League Two, offering fans a chance to watch emerging talents and seasoned professionals alike. Notable fixtures include West Ham, Burnley and Leicester, all slated for Saturday action, with live coverage on Soccer Saturday. In addition to the on‑field action, Sky Sports promotes interactive experiences such as the Super 6 competition, where participants can enter for free for a chance to win a share of a £250,000 prize pool.
The tournament promises excitement, surprise upsets, and the opportunity for new signings like Lankshear, Magennis and Jimenez to make an immediate impact on their new clubs. Overall, the opening round delivered a mix of tight battles, dominant displays, and last‑minute drama, setting the tone for what promises to be an enthralling Carabao Cup season.