Middlesbrough opened their Carabao Cup campaign on a high note, thanks to a debut goal from their new signing, Lankshear, who secured a 1-0 victory over Wrexham. The 21-year-old, who arrived from Tottenham for a reported £10 million in the summer transfer window, made an immediate impact by finding the net in the 61st minute with a crisp, first‑time volley that left the opposition goalkeeper with no chance.
The match began with Middlesbrough threatening early on. In the seventh minute Adilson Malanda nudged a low cross from Sebastian Berhalter toward the goal, only for Wrexham keeper Danny Ward to pull off a spectacular point‑blank save, keeping the scores level. Wrexham responded in kind; Danny Imray missed a golden opportunity when he failed to connect cleanly with Callum Doyle's delivery, and just before the half‑time break Sam Smith struck a low drive that clanged against the legs of Middlesbrough keeper Sol Brynn after a clever run by Nathan Broadhead.
The second half started with Lankshear testing the woodwork, his effort curling just over the bar. However, his perseverance paid off shortly after. Leo Castledine rose to meet Jeremy Sarmiento's cross, directing a pinpoint header into Lankshear's path.
The striker, showing composure beyond his years, turned and smashed a first‑time volley into the far corner, giving Boro the lead and marking his first goal in a Boro shirt. Middlesbrough pressed for a second, and a late strike from Morgan Whittaker rattled the post, but the visitors were unable to find an equaliser, sealing a 1-0 win that not only gave them three points but also a morale boost at the start of the season. In the other first‑round fixtures, Wolverhampton Wanderers cruised to a 3-0 triumph over League Two side Port Vale, with all three goals arriving before the break. Adam Armstrong opened the scoring, followed by contributions from Andre and Fer Lopez, ensuring a comfortable victory for the Wolves.
The match also marked the debut of Cesar Peixoto as manager, who celebrated his first win in charge. Port Vale had a few chances of their own – Jordan Lawrence‑Gabriel nearly produced a spectacular effort, and Mo Faal's penalty was saved by Dan Bentley’s outstretched legs – but they could not threaten the Wolves' lead. Wolves' fans, numbering 21,360 at Molineux, were especially vocal in welcoming back club legend Raul Jimenez, who re‑joined the team this summer after three seasons at Fulham.
Jimenez entered as a late substitute and unleashed a powerful shot that narrowly missed the target, a reminder of his goal‑scoring pedigree, though it was not enough to add to the tally. The win secured Wolves a place in the second round of the competition. Stevenage also progressed, thanks to a dramatic late winner from new signing Josh Magennis.
The team edged Wycombe Wanderers 2-1, with Magennis heading home from a corner delivered by Phoenix Patterson in the fifth minute of stoppage time. The match had been a roller‑coaster: Wycombe took the initiative early, and Dan Kemp capitalised on a momentary lapse in the home defence to fire a low shot into the net in the 27th minute, putting the visitors ahead.
Stevenage responded before the half‑hour mark when Ewan Henderson, operating on the left, slipped past the defence and slotted a right‑footed finish from just outside the six‑yard box. The game remained tightly contested, with Kemp rattling the bar from the edge of the area just before the break. In the second half, Wycombe attempted to dominate possession but struggled to break through Stevenage's organised back line. Substitute Emre Tezgel, replacing Cauley Woodrow, was denied by Boro captain Carl Piergianni when he tried to meet a cross from Thomas in the 77th minute.
Ultimately, Magennis’s decisive header in stoppage time sealed the win and sent Stevenage into the next round. The Carabao Cup 2026/27 season is now in full swing, with all first‑round fixtures being broadcast live on Sky Sports. Fans can catch the action from clubs across the Championship, League One and League Two, including high‑profile matches featuring West Ham, Burnley and Leicester on Saturday. The tournament offers a platform for emerging talent, managerial debuts and the chance for lower‑league sides to test themselves against higher‑ranked opposition.
Beyond the on‑field drama, the competition also provides interactive experiences for supporters. Sky Sports encourages viewers to engage with the Super 6 game, a free‑to‑enter contest that offers a share of a £250,000 prize pool. As the cup progresses, each round promises more excitement, upsets and memorable moments that will shape the narrative of English football’s premier knockout tournament for the season.