Southampton vs Middlesbrough, 2025-26 English League Championship, Promotion Semifinals
· 2nd Leg - Southampton advance 2-1 on aggregate2 - 1
2nd Leg - Southampton advance 2-1 on aggregate
Shea Charles strikes in extra-time, sends Southampton to Wembley playoff final
Shea Charles struck a fortuitous extra-time winner as Southampton ensured the 'spygate' scandal will rumble on by booking their place in the Championship play-off final with a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over Middlesbrough.
Match Commentary
- 0': Lineups are announced and players are warming up.
- 0': First Half begins.
- 3': Foul by Ross Stewart (Southampton).
- 3': Luke Ayling (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
- 3': Attempt blocked. Morgan Whittaker (Middlesbrough) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by David Strelec.
- 4': Aidan Morris (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick on the right wing.
- 4': Foul by Caspar Jander (Southampton).
- 5': Goal! Southampton 0, Middlesbrough 1. Riley McGree (Middlesbrough) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Callum Brittain with a cross following a set piece situation.
- 7': Attempt blocked. Morgan Whittaker (Middlesbrough) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Aidan Morris.
- 10': Foul by James Bree (Southampton).
- 10': Tommy Conway (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick on the left wing.
- 10': Attempt missed. Morgan Whittaker (Middlesbrough) left footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Adilson Malanda.
- 11': Léo Scienza (Southampton) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 11': Foul by Callum Brittain (Middlesbrough).
- 12': Attempt missed. Ross Stewart (Southampton) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Ryan Manning with a cross.
- 13': Shea Charles (Southampton) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 13': Foul by Riley McGree (Middlesbrough).
- 13': Riley McGree (Middlesbrough) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
- 16': Offside, Middlesbrough. Riley McGree is caught offside.
- 22': Nathan Wood (Southampton) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 22': Foul by David Strelec (Middlesbrough).
- 23': Foul by Kuryu Matsuki (Southampton).
- 23': Morgan Whittaker (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 24': Foul by Caspar Jander (Southampton).
- 24': Aidan Morris (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick on the right wing.
- 26': Attempt blocked. Tommy Conway (Middlesbrough) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Callum Brittain.
- 26': Corner, Middlesbrough. Conceded by Nathan Wood.
- 27': Attempt saved. Callum Brittain (Middlesbrough) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner by Daniel Peretz (Southampton). Assisted by Matt Targett.
- 27': Léo Scienza (Southampton) wins a free kick on the left wing.
- 27': Foul by Luke Ayling (Middlesbrough).
- 28': Delay in match because of an injury Léo Scienza (Southampton).
- 29': Delay over. They are ready to continue.
- 31': Corner, Middlesbrough. Conceded by Shea Charles.
- 31': Attempt missed. Callum Brittain (Middlesbrough) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left following a corner.
- 32': Attempt saved. Dael Fry (Middlesbrough) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal by Daniel Peretz (Southampton). Assisted by Callum Brittain.
- 32': Léo Scienza (Southampton) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 32': Foul by Callum Brittain (Middlesbrough).
- 33': Dael Fry (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 33': Foul by Léo Scienza (Southampton).
- 37': Nathan Wood (Southampton) is shown the yellow card.
- 38': Foul by Luke Ayling (Middlesbrough).
- 38': Léo Scienza (Southampton) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
- 38': Luke Ayling (Middlesbrough) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
- 41': Corner, Southampton. Conceded by Luke Ayling.
- 42': Attempt saved. Finn Azaz (Southampton) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner by Sol Brynn (Middlesbrough).
- 43': Foul by Léo Scienza (Southampton).
- 43': Morgan Whittaker (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 45': Léo Scienza (Southampton) wins a free kick on the left wing.
- 45': Foul by Callum Brittain (Middlesbrough).
- 45': Fourth official has announced 6 minutes of added time.
- 45'+1': Attempt saved. Ryan Manning (Southampton) left footed shot from the right side of the six yard box is saved in the top centre of the goal by Sol Brynn (Middlesbrough). Assisted by James Bree with a cross.
- 45'+1': Goal! Southampton 1, Middlesbrough 1. Ross Stewart (Southampton) header from very close range to the centre of the goal following a set piece situation.
- 45'+3': Attempt blocked. Shea Charles (Southampton) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Finn Azaz.
- 45'+4': James Bree (Southampton) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 45'+4': Foul by Tommy Conway (Middlesbrough).
- 45'+6': Corner, Southampton. Conceded by Luke Ayling.
- 45'+7': First Half ends, Southampton 1, Middlesbrough 1.
- 45': Second Half begins Southampton 1, Middlesbrough 1.
- 47': Ryan Manning (Southampton) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 47': Foul by David Strelec (Middlesbrough).
- 48': Tommy Conway (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
- 48': Foul by Taylor Harwood-Bellis (Southampton).
- 51': Foul by Shea Charles (Southampton).
- 51': Riley McGree (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
- 53': Corner, Southampton. Conceded by Callum Brittain.
- 54': Attempt missed. Ross Stewart (Southampton) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Léo Scienza with a cross following a corner.
- 56': Foul by Finn Azaz (Southampton).
- 56': Matt Targett (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick on the left wing.
- 56': Finn Azaz (Southampton) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
- 57': Attempt missed. Luke Ayling (Middlesbrough) header from the right side of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Callum Brittain.
- 58': Corner, Southampton. Conceded by Dael Fry.
- 59': Attempt blocked. Ryan Manning (Southampton) left footed shot from the right side of the six yard box is blocked.
- 59': Attempt blocked. Ryan Manning (Southampton) left footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked.
- 59': Corner, Southampton. Conceded by Luke Ayling.
- 59': Corner, Southampton. Conceded by Adilson Malanda.
- 60': Attempt blocked. Shea Charles (Southampton) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Finn Azaz with a headed pass.
- 63': Attempt blocked. Luke Ayling (Middlesbrough) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
- 64': Foul by James Bree (Southampton).
- 64': Tommy Conway (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
- 65': Corner, Middlesbrough. Conceded by Kuryu Matsuki.
- 66': Substitution, Southampton. Flynn Downes replaces Kuryu Matsuki.
- 68': Attempt blocked. Morgan Whittaker (Middlesbrough) left footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Riley McGree.
- 68': Corner, Middlesbrough. Conceded by Nathan Wood.
- 71': Attempt blocked. Finn Azaz (Southampton) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Caspar Jander.
- 71': Delay in match because of an injury Tommy Conway (Middlesbrough).
- 73': Delay over. They are ready to continue.
- 73': Substitution, Middlesbrough. Alan Browne replaces Tommy Conway because of an injury.
- 74': Ross Stewart (Southampton) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 74': Foul by Dael Fry (Middlesbrough).
- 76': Corner, Southampton. Conceded by Callum Brittain.
- 76': Attempt missed. Taylor Harwood-Bellis (Southampton) header from very close range is high and wide to the right following a corner.
- 78': Foul by Adilson Malanda (Middlesbrough).
- 78': Finn Azaz (Southampton) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
- 78': Adilson Malanda (Middlesbrough) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
- 79': Attempt missed. Ross Stewart (Southampton) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by James Bree with a cross following a set piece situation.
- 82': Caspar Jander (Southampton) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 82': Foul by Morgan Whittaker (Middlesbrough).
- 83': Substitution, Middlesbrough. Leo Castledine replaces David Strelec.
- 84': Substitution, Southampton. Cyle Larin replaces Ross Stewart.
- 85': Substitution, Southampton. Samuel Edozie replaces Léo Scienza.
- 85': Finn Azaz (Southampton) wins a free kick on the right wing.
- 85': Foul by Riley McGree (Middlesbrough).
- 86': Corner, Southampton. Conceded by Adilson Malanda.
- 89': Foul by Caspar Jander (Southampton).
- 89': Aidan Morris (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 90': Fourth official has announced 5 minutes of added time.
- 90'+1': Attempt saved. Cyle Larin (Southampton) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal by Sol Brynn (Middlesbrough). Assisted by Caspar Jander.
- 90'+2': Delay in match because of an injury Dael Fry (Middlesbrough).
- 90'+4': Delay over. They are ready to continue.
- 90'+5': Foul by Callum Brittain (Middlesbrough).
- 90'+5': Samuel Edozie (Southampton) wins a free kick on the left wing.
- 90'+8': Second Half ends, Southampton 1, Middlesbrough 1.
- 90': First Half Extra Time begins Southampton 1, Middlesbrough 1.
- 92': Samuel Edozie (Southampton) wins a free kick on the left wing.
- 92': Foul by Callum Brittain (Middlesbrough).
- 92': Callum Brittain (Middlesbrough) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
- 96': Finn Azaz (Southampton) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
- 96': Foul by Matt Targett (Middlesbrough).
- 98': Corner, Southampton. Conceded by Dael Fry.
- 100': Attempt blocked. Nathan Wood (Southampton) header from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Ryan Manning with a cross.
- 100': Corner, Southampton. Conceded by Callum Brittain.
- 100': Attempt saved. Samuel Edozie (Southampton) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal by Sol Brynn (Middlesbrough). Assisted by Ryan Manning.
- 103': Attempt blocked. Finn Azaz (Southampton) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Samuel Edozie.
- 104': Ryan Manning (Southampton) wins a free kick on the left wing.
- 104': Foul by Aidan Morris (Middlesbrough).
- 105': Attempt missed. Nathan Wood (Southampton) header from the centre of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Ryan Manning following a set piece situation.
- 105': Fourth official has announced 0 minutes of added time.
- 105'+1': First Half Extra Time ends, Southampton 1, Middlesbrough 1.
- 105': Substitution, Middlesbrough. Jeremy Sarmiento replaces Riley McGree.
- 105': Second Half Extra Time begins Southampton 1, Middlesbrough 1.
- 106': Foul by Leo Castledine (Middlesbrough).
- 106': Shea Charles (Southampton) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
- 108': Delay in match because of an injury Samuel Edozie (Southampton).
- 109': Delay over. They are ready to continue.
- 110': Corner, Southampton. Conceded by Luke Ayling.
- 111': Attempt missed. Samuel Edozie (Southampton) right footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Cyle Larin following a corner.
- 112': Foul by Cyle Larin (Southampton).
- 112': Luke Ayling (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick on the left wing.
- 113': Attempt missed. Alan Browne (Middlesbrough) header from the centre of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Matt Targett with a cross following a set piece situation.
- 116': Attempt blocked. James Bree (Southampton) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
- 116': Goal! Southampton 2, Middlesbrough 1. Shea Charles (Southampton) left footed shot from long range on the right to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Taylor Harwood-Bellis.
- 119': Substitution, Southampton. Cameron Bragg replaces Caspar Jander.
- 119': Substitution, Middlesbrough. Sontje Hansen replaces Luke Ayling.
- 119': Substitution, Southampton. Welington replaces Samuel Edozie.
- 120': Attempt blocked. Morgan Whittaker (Middlesbrough) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Sontje Hansen.
- 120': Fourth official has announced 5 minutes of added time.
- 120'+1': Attempt blocked. Alan Browne (Middlesbrough) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Sontje Hansen with a cross.
- 120'+1': Aidan Morris (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick on the right wing.
- 120'+1': Foul by Welington (Southampton).
- 120'+2': Attempt missed. Callum Brittain (Middlesbrough) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right following a set piece situation.
- 120'+3': Daniel Peretz (Southampton) is shown the yellow card.
- 120'+3': Attempt missed. Leo Castledine (Middlesbrough) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Callum Brittain with a cross.
- 120'+3': Attempt blocked. Morgan Whittaker (Middlesbrough) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
- 120'+4': Attempt blocked. Jeremy Sarmiento (Middlesbrough) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Matt Targett.
- 120'+4': Corner, Middlesbrough. Conceded by Finn Azaz.
- 120'+4': Foul by Callum Brittain (Middlesbrough).
- 120'+4': Welington (Southampton) wins a free kick on the left wing.
- 120'+6': Matt Targett (Middlesbrough) wins a free kick on the left wing.
- 120'+6': Foul by Cyle Larin (Southampton).
- 120'+6': Cyle Larin (Southampton) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
- 120'+6': Attempt missed. Sontje Hansen (Middlesbrough) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Adilson Malanda following a set piece situation.
- 120'+7': Second Half Extra Time ends, Southampton 2, Middlesbrough 1.
- 0': Match ends, Southampton 2, Middlesbrough 1.
Statistics
MID |
SOU![]() |
|
|---|---|---|
| 19 | Fouls | 15 |
| 4 | Yellow Cards | 4 |
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 |
| 1 | Offsides | 0 |
| 5 | Corner Kicks | 11 |
| 4 | Saves | 2 |
| 40.6 | Possession | 59.4 |
| 19 | SHOTS | 20 |
| 3 | ON GOAL | 7 |
| 0.2 | On Target % | 0.4 |
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 0 |
| 0 | Penalty Kicks Taken | 0 |
| 312 | Accurate Passes | 487 |
| 406 | Passes | 587 |
| 0.8 | Pass Completion % | 0.8 |
| 5 | Accurate Crosses | 10 |
| 25 | Crosses | 41 |
| 0.2 | Cross % | 0.2 |
| 59 | Long Balls | 60 |
| 19 | Accurate Long Balls | 24 |
| 0.3 | Long Balls % | 0.4 |
| 9 | Blocked Shots | 7 |
| 12 | Effective Tackles | 18 |
| 20 | Tackles | 21 |
| 0.6 | Tackle % | 0.9 |
| 7 | Interceptions | 10 |
| 52 | Effective Clearances | 36 |
| 52 | Clearances | 36 |
Game Information
Venue: St. Mary's Stadium
Location: Southampton, England
Attendance: 30,277
Line-Ups
Southampton (4-2-2-2)
| No. | Name |
|---|---|
| 41 | Daniel Peretz (GK) |
| 15 | Nathan Wood |
| 6 | Taylor Harwood-Bellis |
| 3 | Ryan Manning |
| 14 | James Bree |
| 20 | Caspar Jander |
| 24 | Shea Charles |
| 13 | Léo Scienza |
| 11 | Ross Stewart |
| 27 | Kuryu Matsuki |
| 10 | Finn Azaz |
Middlesbrough (3-4-2-1)
| No. | Name |
|---|---|
| 31 | Solomon Brynn (GK) |
| 6 | Dael Fry |
| 29 | Adilson Malanda |
| 12 | Luke Ayling |
| 8 | Riley McGree |
| 18 | Aidan Morris |
| 3 | Matt Targett |
| 2 | Callum Brittain |
| 13 | David Strelec |
| 9 | Tommy Conway |
| 11 | Morgan Whittaker |
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MID