Cardiff City triumphed 2-1 over Wrexham in a thrilling Carabao Cup derby, advancing to the quarter-finals with a performance that demonstrated resilience and skill. After a 21-year hiatus from facing each other, the Welsh rivals reignited their rivalry at the Racecourse Ground, where Cardiff’s dominance in the first half made all the difference.
Cardiff quickly asserted their authority, creating multiple chances early on. Yousef Salech opened the scoring in the 13th minute, tapping in a rebound after Wrexham’s goalkeeper, Callum Burton, made a superb save from Omari Kellyman’s shot. The Bluebirds were relentless, testing Burton with several efforts, while Wrexham struggled to find any rhythm.
Despite Cardiff’s dominance, the hosts managed to find an equalizer early in the second half. Kieffer Moore, introduced as a substitute, rose to meet Ryan Longman’s cross and headed Wrexham level, sparking renewed energy in the crowd and on the pitch. However, Cardiff remained composed and regained the lead shortly after.
Joel Bagan’s left-wing cross found Will Fish unmarked at the back post, and the young defender’s powerful header beat Burton to give Cardiff a crucial 2-1 advantage. The goal was a deserved reward for Cardiff’s persistence, though questions were raised about Wrexham’s defensive lapse and Burton’s positioning.
Wrexham had a chance to push for a second equalizer, but Cardiff’s defence held firm, with Ronan Kpakio’s mistake nearly allowing Longman to create a dangerous counter. The defeat left Wrexham’s manager Phil Parkinson lamenting his side’s slow start, admitting they were “off the pace” in the first half. Despite a much-improved second half, Wrexham couldn’t turn the tide, as Cardiff’s defensive organization proved too strong.
The victory saw Cardiff fans celebrating passionately in the stands, as their team inched closer to a potential Wembley appearance. Cardiff head coach Brian Barry-Murphy expressed immense pride in his team’s performance, particularly their ability to execute the game plan under pressure.
For Wrexham, the defeat served as a reminder of the fine margins in cup competitions, with much work still needed if they are to build on their significant investment and challenge for silverware.
