Middlesbrough opened their Carabao Cup campaign in style, edging Wrexham 1-0 thanks to a debut strike from their new summer signing, 21‑year‑old striker Will Lankshear. The English forward, who arrived from Tottenham Hotspur for a reported £10 million, waited just 61 minutes before finding the back of the net with a polished first‑time volley that left the opposition goalkeeper with no chance. The match began with Boro pressing high and creating an early chance in the seventh minute. Defender Adilson Malanda nudged a low cross from Sebastian Berhalter towards the goal, but Wrexham keeper Danny Ward produced a reflex save at point‑blank range, keeping the scores level.
Wrexham responded through Danny Imray, who failed to connect cleanly with Callum Doyle's delivery, and later, six minutes before the interval, Sam Smith struck a low drive that clipped the legs of Middlesbrough keeper Sol Brynn after a swift run from Nathan Broadhead. The second half saw Lankshear miss a curling effort that sailed just over the bar, but his persistence paid off shortly afterwards.
Leo Castledine rose to meet Jeremy Sarmiento's cross, directing the ball into Lankshear’s path. The young striker turned elegantly and thumped a superb first‑time volley into the far corner, securing the only goal of the tie and confirming his arrival in the Boro shirt with a memorable debut. Middlesbrough pressed for a second goal in the closing stages, and Morgan Whittaker’s low shot rattled the post three minutes from time, but the visitors held firm to claim a 1‑0 victory and a place in the next round. In the other first‑round fixtures, Wolverhampton Wanderers delivered a comfortable 3‑0 win over League Two side Port Vale.
All three goals arrived in the first half, with Adam Armstrong, Andre and Fer Lopez each finding the net to put the Wolves in control. The win also marked a successful debut for manager Cesar Peixoto, who celebrated his first match in charge with a clean sheet. Port Vale had moments of promise – Jordan Lawrence‑Gabriel produced a spectacular chance that was saved, and Mo Faal’s penalty was denied by Dan Bentley’s outstretched legs – but they could not muster a reply. Wolves’ supporters, numbering 21,360 at Molineux, were especially vocal for returning hero Raul Jimenez.
The Mexican striker, who re‑signed after three seasons at Fulham, entered as a late substitute and unleashed a powerful shot, though he failed to add to the scoreline. Nevertheless, Wolves secured progression to the second round of the competition.
Stevenage also advanced, edging Wycombe Wanderers 2‑1 thanks to a dramatic late winner from new signing Josh Magennis. The ex‑Exeter forward, who came on as a substitute, headed in a corner from Phoenix Patterson in the fifth minute of second‑half stoppage time. The match had unfolded with Wycombe taking the lead in the 27th minute when midfielder Dan Kemp capitalised on a hesitant defence, firing a low finish past the Stevenage keeper. The visitors equalised before halftime when winger Silko Thomas delivered a cross that was met by Ewan Henderson, who struck a right‑footed shot from just outside the six‑yard box.
After the break, Wycombe attempted to regain control but struggled to create clear chances. Substitute Emre Tezgel, replacing Cauley Woodrow, saw his effort from Thomas’s cross thwarted by Stevenage captain Carl Piergianni in the 77th minute. Magennis’s decisive header then settled the tie, sending Stevenage into the next round.
The Carabao Cup returns for the 2026/27 season with every first‑round tie broadcast live on Sky Sports. Fans can also follow the action on the Sky Sports app, with a recommendation to use Chrome for the best video experience. The early round features clubs from the Championship, League One and League Two, and the competition promises more excitement as teams like West Ham, Burnley and Leicester join the fray later in the week. In addition to the on‑field drama, Sky Sports is promoting its Super 6 competition, offering a chance to win a £250,000 prize pool for free entrants.
The tournament continues to be a platform for young talent to shine, as demonstrated by Lankshear’s immediate impact for Middlesbrough, and for seasoned professionals like Jimenez to reconnect with their fans. With each round, the stakes rise, and the blend of surprise results and established powerhouses makes the Carabao Cup a compelling early‑season showcase for English football.