Rodrigo Muniz finally broke a twelve‑month spell without finding the net, delivering a decisive strike that helped Alvaro Arbeloa secure his inaugural victory as Fulham’s manager and propelled the London club to a comfortable 3‑0 triumph over AFC Wimbledon in the Carabao Cup. The Brazilian forward’s goal, a well‑timed header from a Kenny Tete cross, marked his first tally since 16 August 2025 and came after Emile Smith Rowe had already nudged the ball forward to set up a near‑certain third‑round passage to West Ham before the interval. Arbeloa praised his attacking options after the final whistle, noting, “Goals are the lifeblood of any striker, and Rodrigo has been working tirelessly.
We have a quality frontline with him and Gonzalo Garcia – two different types of forwards, but both are essential for our plans. Both men got on the scoresheet tonight and the dressing‑room was buzzing with happiness.” The match began with Wimbledon holding their own for the first thirty minutes at Craven Cottage, the first competitive meeting between the two London teams. However, they never recovered after falling behind. Fulham’s dominance grew after the break, generating a flurry of chances that stretched the visitors further.
Half‑time debutant Macaulay Zepa, a lively presence on the right wing, injected pace and energy, though he did not manage to score on his first appearance. Zepa’s contribution was nonetheless significant. In injury time he delivered a pinpoint assist that unleashed the newly signed Gonzalo Garcia. Garcia sprinted past Dan Sweeney, evaded goalkeeper Nathan Bishop, and calmly slotted home his second consecutive goal, cementing the 3‑0 scoreline.
The Carabao Cup encounter offered several moments of note. At the 22‑minute mark Wimbledon’s Callum Maycock found space on the far post, only to see his cross glance harmlessly over the bar.
Two minutes later, Smith Rowe struck a half‑volley from the edge of the box that narrowly missed the near post. At 37 minutes, Smith Rowe redeemed himself by heading home a pass from Ryan Sessegnon, giving Fulham a 1‑0 lead. Muniz’s header arrived at 42 minutes, a textbook finish from a well‑placed Tete delivery that doubled Fulham’s advantage.
The half‑time whistle followed shortly after, with the score at 2‑0 and the Cottagers comfortably in control. The second half saw Zepa replace Oscar Bobb, marking his official debut for the club. At 75 minutes a controversial moment unfolded when Andy Yiadom appeared to handle the ball inside his own area, yet the referee chose not to award a penalty, allowing the game to continue unimpeded.
In stoppage time, Garcia’s substitute appearance proved decisive. After a swift run past a defender, he out‑maneuvered Bishop and finished neatly to make it 3‑0. A final chance for Zepa came in the 90+5 minute, when he cut inside from the flank but was denied by Bishop’s well‑timed legs, ending his debut without a goal but with a promising performance. Post‑match, Sky Sports analyst Ron Walker summed up the evening: “Alvaro Arbeloa could not have asked for a better start.
Despite rotating ten players, his side glided into the third round, showcasing several encouraging individual displays and emerging unscathed from injury concerns. Muniz’s goal signals a potential resurgence, even if his long‑term future may lie elsewhere, while Gonzalo Garcia appears increasingly confident after another strike.
Yet the real revelation was Zepa. Against modest opposition, he was direct, energetic, and above all composed from his first touch to his last. He missed only a single goal, and that was hardly due to a lack of effort.” Overall, the fixture highlighted Fulham’s depth and the promising talent bubbling through the ranks.
Muniz’s renewed confidence, Garcia’s clinical finishing, and Zepa’s vibrant debut collectively suggest a squad capable of mounting a serious cup run and challenging for higher league ambitions. The club’s supporters left Craven Cottage with optimism, eager to see how these emerging narratives will unfold in the weeks ahead.