Rodrigo Muniz finally broke a barren spell that had lasted a full year, 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 found the net for the first time since August 16, 2025, directing a precise header back across the goalmouth after a well‑timed cross from Kenny Tete.
The assist came from an earlier knock‑down by Emile Smith Rowe, whose own header had already put the Cottagers on the back foot and virtually guaranteed a third‑round tie against West Ham before the interval. After the final whistle, Arbeloa praised his attacking options, noting, "Goals are the lifeblood of any striker and Rodrigo has been working tirelessly. We have quality forwards in him and in Gonzalo, each with a different style, and both will be crucial for us. They both scored tonight and the dressing‑room is buzzing with happiness." The manager’s comments underscored the importance of having multiple goal‑scoring threats, especially as Fulham rotate heavily in cup competitions.
Wimbledon began the first half with a degree of resilience, holding Fulham at bay for roughly thirty minutes at Craven Cottage, marking the inaugural clash between the two London clubs. However, once the visitors fell behind, they never managed to recover, allowing the home side to dominate the remainder of the match.
The second half saw Fulham generate a flurry of opportunities to extend their lead. Half‑time debutant Macaulay Zepa, a dynamic presence on the right wing, injected fresh energy but, despite his lively display, did not add a goal to his name.
Nevertheless, Zepa contributed an assist in stoppage time: he supplied a well‑timed pass to the recent summer signing Gonzalo Garcia, who sprinted past Dan Sweeney, out‑maneuvered goalkeeper Nathan Bishop, and calmly slotted home his second consecutive goal, sealing the win. Key moments of the match were captured in the official highlights. At the 22‑minute mark, Wimbledon’s Callum Maycock floated a cross just beyond the far post, threatening an early upset. Two minutes later, Smith Rowe unleashed a half‑volley from the edge of the box that narrowly missed the near post, showcasing his intent.
In the 37th minute, Smith Rowe redeemed himself by heading in a pass from Ryan Sessegnon, putting Fulham ahead. Four minutes after that, Muniz doubled the advantage with a superb header from Tete’s delivery. The half‑time whistle saw Zepa replace Oscar Bobb, marking his Fulham debut. Later, at the 75th minute, Andy Yiadom escaped a potential handball call after sliding to block a Tete effort.
In injury time, Garcia added the third goal after beating Bishop and finishing confidently. Zepa’s final chance came in the 90+5 minute, where he was denied by Bishop’s quick reflexes from a tight angle.
Commentary from Sky Sports’ Ron Walker summed up the evening: "Alvaro Arbeloa could not have asked for a better performance, especially after making ten changes. His side glided into the third round, displaying encouraging individual displays and staying injury‑free.
Muniz’s future may lie elsewhere, but he is finally back scoring and smiling, providing valuable cover for Goncalo Garcia, who is also brimming with confidence after his own strike. The fans were most captivated by Zepa’s debut – he was direct, lively, and composed from the first touch to the last, only missing a goal despite his earnest effort." The match also featured ancillary content, such as a reminder to stream the Carabao Cup using a Chrome browser for optimal video playback, and a promotional note about a Super 6 competition offering a chance to win £1 million. Overall, Fulham’s performance combined clinical finishing, effective squad rotation, and promising young talent, setting a positive tone for their upcoming cup fixtures and league ambitions.