Rodrigo Muniz finally broke a twelve-month spell without finding the back of the net, helping Alvaro Arbeloa secure his inaugural victory and guiding Fulham to a comfortable 3-0 triumph over AFC Wimbledon in the Carabao Cup. The Brazilian striker's long‑awaited goal arrived in the form of a well‑timed header that looped back across the goalmouth after a precise cross from Kenny Tete.
The delivery followed an earlier knock‑down by Emile Smith Rowe, who had already put the Cottagers ahead in the third‑round tie, effectively sealing a trip to face West Ham United before the interval. Arbeloa praised his attacking options after the final whistle, noting the importance of goals for any forward. “Scoring is crucial for strikers, and Rodrigo has been putting in the effort,” the manager said. “We have quality options in front of goal, both Rodrigo and Gonzalo Garcia.
They are different types of player, but we need both, and both have been vital tonight.” He added that the celebrations in the dressing room were palpable, with both forwards visibly delighted by their contributions. Wimbledon managed to hold their own for the opening thirty minutes at Craven Cottage, marking the first competitive encounter between the two London clubs. However, once Fulham took the lead, the visitors struggled to regain any foothold.
The home side continued to press after the break, creating a cascade of chances that extended their advantage. One of the most energetic displays came from debutant Macaulay Zepa, who patrolled the right wing with vigor. Although he did not add his name to the scoresheet on his first appearance, Zepa was instrumental in the build‑up play and later provided an assist in stoppage time.
That assist set up Gonzalo Garcia, the high‑profile summer signing, for his second consecutive goal. Garcia broke free from Dan Sweeney, evaded goalkeeper Nathan Bishop, and calmly slotted the ball home, completing the 3-0 scoreline. The goal came in added time, cementing Fulham's dominance and sending the fans home satisfied.
The match timeline highlighted several key moments: a chance for Wimbledon’s Callum Maycock at the 22‑minute mark, a missed half‑volley by Smith Rowe at 24 minutes, and Smith Rowe’s own goal at 37 minutes after a clever cut‑back from Ryan Sessegnon. Muniz’s header arrived at 42 minutes, followed by a substitution that saw Zepa replace Oscar Bobb at halftime, giving the youngster his debut.
Later, at the 75‑minute point, Andy Yiadom escaped a potential handball call after sliding to block a Tete effort. Garcia’s final strike came in the third minute of stoppage time, while Zepa’s near‑miss at 90+5 demonstrated his willingness to test Bishop from a tight angle. Commentary from Sky Sports’ Ron Walker summed up the performance: "Alvaro Arbeloa could not have asked for a better showing. Despite rotating ten players, his side glided into the next round, showcasing promising individual displays and staying injury‑free.
Muniz may eventually move on from Craven Cottage, but for now he’s back scoring and smiling, providing valuable depth to Gonzalo Garcia, who is also brimming with confidence after his own strike. The standout for the fans, however, was undoubtedly Zepa. Against modest opposition, he was direct, lively, and composed from his first touch to his last, only missing a goal by a narrow margin, and not for lack of effort." The victory not only advances Fulham in the Carabao Cup but also offers a glimpse of the squad’s depth.
With Muniz rediscovering his scoring touch, Garcia continuing his impressive start, and Zepa making a memorable debut, the team appears well‑equipped to tackle tougher challenges ahead. The win also reinforces Arbeloa’s tactical flexibility, showing he can rotate his roster without sacrificing performance. As Fulham prepares for a potential clash with West Ham, the confidence generated by this comprehensive win could prove pivotal in their pursuit of cup glory. For viewers wishing to watch the Carabao Cup matches without a subscription, streaming options are available, though a Chrome browser is recommended for optimal video playback.
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