Wrexham Stuns Portsmouth In Dramatic FA Cup Upset
Wrexham Stuns Portsmouth In Dramatic FA Cup Upset...
Wrexham AFC, the Welsh football club co-owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, pulled off a stunning 2-1 victory over League One leaders Portsmouth in the FA Cup fifth round today. The match, played before a raucous crowd at Portsmouth's Fratton Park, saw the underdogs advance to the quarterfinals for the first time since 1997.
The victory marks another milestone for Wrexham, whose global profile has skyrocketed since Reynolds and McElhenney acquired the club in 2020. American fans have followed the team's journey through the FX docuseries "Welcome to Wrexham," making this upset particularly resonant across the Atlantic. Social media erupted with reactions as the final whistle blew.
Portsmouth entered the match as heavy favorites, sitting atop England's third tier with just two league losses all season. Wrexham, currently second in League Two, took the lead through Paul Mullin's 38th-minute penalty before Portsmouth equalized shortly after halftime. The decisive goal came in the 72nd minute from Elliot Lee, sending the traveling Wrexham supporters into delirium.
The FA Cup's magic captured American imaginations again today, with the match trending stateside during Saturday morning viewing hours. ESPN's coverage drew strong ratings, while Reynolds celebrated the win on Twitter with his trademark humor: "I've aged 14 years in 90 minutes." The victory sets up a potential dream quarterfinal matchup against Premier League opposition.
Wrexham's cup run continues a remarkable turnaround for the historic club, which was playing non-league football just two years ago. Their next challenge comes Tuesday in a crucial League Two match against Notts County, as they push for back-to-back promotions. The quarterfinal draw will be held Sunday, with Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea among the remaining contenders.
Portsmouth manager John Mousinho called the result "a tough pill to swallow" but praised Wrexham's performance. The defeat compounds a difficult week for Pompey, who saw their league lead shrink after a midweek draw. They'll look to rebound next Saturday against Oxford United in a key promotion clash.
For American sports fans, the match offered another compelling chapter in Wrexham's story. The club's Stateside popularity shows no signs of waning, with merchandise sales spiking after today's result. As the FA Cup progresses, all eyes will be on Monday's draw to see if Wrexham lands another marquee matchup that could further captivate US audiences.
