Alejandro Garnacho and João Pedro scored in extra time to help Chelsea survive a major scare from Wrexham and claim a 4-2 victory in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Saturday.
With Hollywood actors and club owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac watching from the stands, the Welsh side pushed the Premier League club to the brink and twice held the lead before Garnacho's extra-time strike kept Chelsea cup run alive.
Sam Smith opened the scoring in the 18th minute, but Wrexham would help Chelsea in leveling the score with an own goal just before halftime. In the 78th minute, the home side would again go ahead thanks to Callum Doyle, but like in the first half Chelsea would answer via Josh Acheampong to force extra time.
Garnacho held steady despite plenty of missed shots throughout the match. The Argentine winger finally broke through and the found the net off an assist from Dario Essugo.
Timing the volley perfectly 👌
Alejandro Garnacho gives @ChelseaFC the lead for the first time on the night.
📺 @BBCMOTD, @footballontnt and @discoveryplusukpic.twitter.com/MkSeeWi4mn— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) March 7, 2026
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Wrexham thought it had an equalizer in the second extra-time period, but VAR correctly wiped away Lewis Brunt's header.
Chelsea nearly became the second Premier League team eliminated by Wrexham in this competition. The Red Dragons knocked out Nottingham Forest after penalty kicks to advance out of the third round.
This would not have been the first giant killing for the Red Dragons in their FA Cup history. During the 1992 third round, they came-from-behind to defeat Arsenal 2-1.
The FA Cup's fifth round will finish up on Monday with West Ham versus Brentford. Prior to that match, Chelsea will find out their quarterfinal opponent when the draw is held.
Wrexham currently sits in sixth place in the English Championship table, holding on to one of the four playoff places. The Red Dragons have won an unprecedented three consecutive promotions since 2023 and are looking to be one of the three teams from the division that will move up to the Premier League next season.
