Rodrigo Muniz finally broke a twelve‑month spell without finding the net, delivering a decisive header that helped Alvaro Arbeloa secure his inaugural victory with Fulham and guide the team to a comfortable 3-0 triumph over AFC Wimbledon in the Carabao Cup. The Brazilian striker’s goal, his first since August 16, 2025, arrived from a well‑timed cross by Kenny Tete after Emile Smith‑Rowe had already nudged the ball forward, effectively sealing a third‑round progression to a West Ham encounter before the interval.
After the final whistle, Arbeloa praised his attacking options, saying, "Goals are the lifeblood of any striker, and Rodrigo has been working tirelessly. We have quality forwards in him and in Gonçalo Garcia – they play differently, but both are essential for us. They both scored tonight and the dressing‑room is buzzing with happiness." The manager’s remarks highlighted the importance of having multiple goal‑scoring threats and underscored the morale boost that the two forwards provided. Wimbledon began the match on a solid footing, holding Fulham at bay for the first thirty minutes at Craven Cottage.
The visitors, however, never managed to recover after conceding the opening goal. Fulham’s relentless pressure continued after the break, with a flurry of chances created to extend their lead.
One of the most energetic performers was half‑time debutant Macaulay Zepa, who surged down the right wing with vigor. Although he did not add a goal to his name on debut, Zepa contributed an assist in injury time, setting up Gonzalo García for his second consecutive strike. García, the club’s high‑profile summer acquisition, collected a pass from Zepa, outpaced defender Dan Sweeney, and faced goalkeeper Nathan Bishop one‑on‑one.
Demonstrating composure beyond his years, the forward slotted the ball home, completing his tally for the evening and marking his second goal in as many games. Key moments of the match were captured in the broadcast’s minute‑by‑minute recap: - 22’: Wimbledon’s Callum Maycock glanced a cross just beyond the far post, threatening an early upset. - 24’: Smith‑Rowe unleashed a half‑volley from the edge of the box, narrowly missing the near post. - 37’: Smith‑Rowe redeemed himself by heading in a pass from Ryan Sessegnon.
- 42’: Muniz doubled Fulham’s advantage with a crisp header from Tete’s delivery. - 46’: Zepa entered the fray, replacing Oscar Bobb for his Fulham debut. - 75’: Andy Yiadom escaped a handball call after sliding to block a Tete attempt inside his own area.
- 90+3’: Substitute García added the third goal after sprinting past a defender and outwitting Bishop. - 90+5’: Zepa, despite a spirited run down the flank, was denied a dream debut goal when Bishop’s legs blocked a tight‑angle effort. Sky Sports analyst Ron Walker summed up the performance, noting that Arbeloa could not have asked for a better result after making ten changes to his lineup.
"Fulham glided into the third round with several encouraging individual displays and no injuries to report," he said. Walker added that Muniz’s future might eventually lie away from Craven Cottage, but for now his return to scoring provided a valuable backup to García, who appeared confident after his own strike.
He also highlighted Zepa’s debut, describing the youngster as "direct, lively, and composed from his first touch to his last, only missing a goal despite his best efforts." The match also featured a promotional segment encouraging viewers to stream the Carabao Cup without a contract and a reminder to use the Chrome browser for an optimal video experience. Additionally, a side note invited fans to play the Super 6 competition for a chance to win £1 million, with free entry available. Overall, Fulham’s dominant display against Wimbledon showcased a potent attacking trio, a promising debutant, and a manager pleased with the depth of his squad.
The victory not only propels them into the next round but also restores confidence to a striker who had endured a protracted goal drought, while giving the club’s supporters plenty to celebrate as they look ahead to a challenging tie with West Ham United.