Wrexham 3-3 (4-3 Pen) Nottingham Forest Player Ratings: Wrexham Triumph in Six-Goal FA Cup Thriller in Shootout

The FA Cup fixture between Wrexham and Nottingham Forest was a rollercoaster of a night at the Racecourse Ground! Wrexham exploded out of the blocks, setting the pace with relentless energy and racing into a 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Liberato Cacace and Ollie Rathbone. Premier League side Nottingham Forest looked tired, struggling to match the intensity of the home side.

Forest slowly shifted gears and tried to make their way back into the contest, with Igor Jesus’ header halving the deficit.

But Wrexham responded instantly as Dominic Hyam restored their two-goal advantage to make it 3-1. Just when the home fans thought the game was wrapped up, substitute Callum Hudson-Odoi produced a sensational brace, including a dramatic 89th-minute equaliser, forcing the match into extra time. Despite holding 57% possession and producing 12 shots to Wrexham’s 10, Forest couldn’t break the deadlock.

The tension finally boiled over in the penalty shootout, where Wrexham kept their cool to triumph 4-3 after a thrilling 3-3 draw. Here are Sportsdunia’s player ratings from this unforgettable FA Cup showdown.

Key Takeaways

• The match ended 3‑3 after regular time, showcasing a back-and-forth contest with Wrexham twice taking a two-goal lead before Nottingham Forest fought back to level.

• Wrexham triumphed 4‑3 in the penalty shootout, with their composure under pressure proving decisive in eliminating a Premier League side.

• Key contributions from Wrexham players, particularly those who scored or converted penalties, made the difference in this giant-killing result.

Wrexham Player Ratings vs Nottingham Forest

Goalkeeper

Arthur Okonkwo - 8.0: What a performance from the Wrexham stopper. He made a staggering seven saves, with several of them being crucial stops in extra time to keep his team in it. From our perspective, his command of the area was impressive, with three punches and a good high claim. He was a true rock at the back, and although he conceded three goals, there was little he could do about any of them. A hero in the shootout.

Defenders

Callum Doyle - 7.5: A colossal performance at the back. Doyle was immense, winning an incredible 14 duels and making nine clearances. He was a warrior throughout the 120 minutes, putting his body on the line repeatedly. He did get dribbled past a few times, but his overall contribution was immense. He capped off a great night by coolly slotting his penalty.

Dominic Hyam - 7.5: The captain led by example. He was a dominant presence, making 10 clearances to repel Forest attacks. What stood out to us was his goal, a powerful header that looked to have won the game for his side. He was solid and composed for the most part, a real leader's performance in a chaotic match.

Dan Scarr - 7.0: A really solid outing from Scarr. He complemented his defensive partners well, contributing with 10 clearances and winning the majority of his duels. He was a key part of a backline that was under immense pressure, especially in the second half and extra time. A tireless and dependable display over the full 120 minutes.

Midfielders

Liberato Cacace - 7.5: Absolutely electric in his 60 minutes on the pitch. He got Wrexham off to a flying start with a fantastic goal from outside the box. He was a constant threat down the flank before being substituted. We were surprised to see him taken off, as he was causing so many problems for the opposition.

George Dobson - 8.0: A midfield masterclass. Dobson was everywhere, providing two crucial assists, including the cross for Hyam's goal. He created four chances and was the heartbeat of the team, driving them forward and breaking up play. His energy over 120 minutes was simply remarkable. A top, top performance.

Ben Sheaf - 7.0: A very tidy and effective performance in the middle of the park. Sheaf kept things ticking over with an 89% pass accuracy and won seven of his duels. He created a couple of chances and was a disciplined presence until he was substituted late in normal time. A quietly excellent game.

Ryan Longman - 6.5: Worked tirelessly down the wing and tracked back well, making three tackles and nine recoveries. He got into some good positions and had a couple of shots, but his final ball was sometimes lacking. A decent shift, but without the end product of some of his teammates.

Forwards

Ollie Rathbone - 8.5: Our man of the match. What a player. He was simply unplayable for the 69 minutes he was on the pitch, scoring a goal and creating three chances. His direct running and creativity were a nightmare for the Forest defence. He was the catalyst for Wrexham's brilliant start and looked a class above.

Sam Smith - 7.0: An absolute battering ram up front. Smith won an incredible 14 duels, 11 of them in the air, giving the Forest centre-backs a torrid time. He battled for every single ball and was a fantastic focal point for the attack. His influence waned slightly as the game went on before he was forced off with an injury.

Nathan Broadhead - 7.5: A livewire performance full of skill and running. He provided a smart assist and created another big chance. His dribbling was a joy to watch, successfully completing five take-ons. He was a constant threat before being substituted, having left his mark on the game.

Substitutes

George Thomason - 6.5: Came on and did a solid job, keeping possession and scoring his penalty with confidence.

Josh Windass - 6.5: Added fresh legs and energy, though he picked up a late yellow. Scored his penalty well.

Brien - 6.0: Slotted into midfield and helped see out a frantic period of the game.

James McClean - 5.5: Looked a little off the pace and unfortunately missed his penalty in the shootout.

Ryan Barnett - 6.0: Brought on for extra time and provided good energy down the flank.

Jay Rodriguez - 7.0: Replaced the injured Smith and held the ball up well. Showed great composure to score his penalty.

Manager

P. Parkinson - 8.0: His game plan was almost perfect. He had his team fired up and they played with incredible heart and quality. His substitutions were logical, aimed at managing energy levels through a gruelling 120 minutes. A famous cup victory for him and his team.

Nottingham Forest Player Ratings vs Wrexham

Goalkeeper

Matz Sels - 6.5: A strange game for the Forest keeper. He conceded three goals but also made four saves to keep his team from being completely blown away in the first half. His distribution was a bit hit-and-miss. From our perspective, he couldn't do much about the goals but he didn't inspire huge confidence either.

Defenders

Morato - 4.5: A night to forget for the defender. He was caught out of position multiple times and his two errors led directly to shots. He struggled to cope with Wrexham's attack, winning just 17% of his duels and picking up a yellow card. Provided an assist for the first goal but it doesn't mask a very poor defensive showing.

Jair Cunha - 5.5: Looked more solid than his partner but was still part of a defence that was breached three times. He made eight clearances but also looked vulnerable against Wrexham's direct approach. He battled hard, winning a decent number of duels, but the defence as a whole was far too leaky.

Oleksandr Zinchenko - 5.0: Only lasted 45 minutes before being hooked. He looked uncomfortable and an error of his led to a shot. He didn't offer the control or forward thrust that you'd expect and his substitution was no surprise. A disappointing outing.

Nicolò Savona - 7.5: One of Forest's better players. He was a constant outlet on the flank, providing two excellent assists, including the crucial one for the late equalizer. He was always looking to get forward and delivered some dangerous crosses. Defensively he had some tricky moments, but his attacking contribution was vital.

Midfielders

Douglas Luiz - 7.0: Tried his best to get a grip on the midfield battle. He made 12 ball recoveries and had a couple of shots on target. He kept the ball well but struggled to contain Wrexham's energy in the first half. He was booked for a cynical foul before being substituted.

Dan Ndoye - 5.5: A quiet and ineffective performance. He struggled to make any real impact on the game, losing possession 12 times in his 69 minutes. He had one shot on target but was largely anonymous. Not his best day at the office.

Omari Hutchinson - 6.0: A frustrating performance. He was involved in a lot of the play, but his end product was poor, losing the ball 23 times. An error of his led to a goal which is a huge blot on his copybook. He did create two chances and never stopped trying, but it was a very mixed bag.

James McAtee - 5.0: Hooked at half-time after a completely anonymous 45 minutes. He was a passenger in midfield, failing to impose himself on the game at all. His passing was tidy but he offered no penetration or defensive bite. An easy decision to replace him.

Dilane Bakwa - 5.5: Another player taken off at the break. He created one chance and had 100% passing accuracy, but he only touched the ball 19 times. He just wasn't involved enough and couldn't get into the game. Forest needed more, and he was rightly substituted.

Forwards

Igor Jesus - 8.0: Forest's best starter by a country mile. He was a real handful for the Wrexham defence throughout the 120 minutes. He scored a crucial header to get his team back in the game and created three chances for his teammates. He worked tirelessly, but his night ended in disappointment as he missed his penalty in the shootout.

Substitutes

Nicolás Domínguez - 6.5: Came on at half-time and added some much-needed energy and bite to the midfield.

Morgan Gibbs-White - 7.0: Provided a creative spark after coming on, linking play well and looking dangerous. Scored his penalty.

Neco Williams - 7.0: A big improvement on Zinchenko. He was solid defensively and got forward to support attacks, scoring his penalty with ease.

Callum Hudson-Odoi - 8.5: The game-changer. Came on and single-handedly dragged Forest back into the tie with two superb goals. His pace and directness were terrifying. A phenomenal cameo, capped off with a well-taken penalty.

Taiwo Awoniyi - 6.0: Added a physical presence but missed a decent headed chance in extra time.

Murillo - 6.5: Slotted in at the back and looked composed during a frantic period.

Manager

S. Dyche - 6.0: His initial team selection and setup were all wrong, as his team was completely overrun. However, his half-time substitutions were excellent and changed the game. He deserves credit for the fightback, but questions have to be asked about why they started so poorly in the first place.

Man of the Match

Sportsdunia's player of the match goes to Ollie Rathbone.

Worst Performer

Morato was the worst performer in the Wrexham vs Nottingham Forest clash.