Lankshear debut volley earns Middlesbrough 1-0 victory over Wrexham

Will Lankshear’s first goal for Middlesbrough secured a 1-0 win over Wrexham in the Carabao Cup first round on 7 August 2026, giving Boro a winning start to the season.

Lankshear, a £10m summer signing from Tottenham, marked his debut with the only goal of the match when he struck in the 61st minute. The 21-year-old’s finish was described in-match as an excellent first-time volley and represented his first goal in a Boro shirt. Middlesbrough progressed to the second round, going one better than last year.

The visitors threatened early when, in the seventh minute, Adilson Malanda prodded Sebastian Berhalter’s cross goalwards from close range but Danny Ward produced a superb point-blank save to deny the chance.

Wrexham squandered another opportunity when Danny Imray failed to make proper contact from Callum Doyle’s cross, and they went close again six minutes before half-time when Sam Smith fired a low shot into the legs of Sol Brynn after Nathan Broadhead had rolled him into space.

Shortly after the interval Lankshear curled an effort just over the bar before finding the target in the 61st minute. Leo Castledine headed Jeremy Sarmiento’s cross into Lankshear’s path, and the striker swivelled before hooking a superb first-time volley into the far corner.

Middlesbrough almost extended their lead late on, but Morgan Whittaker’s low strike three minutes from time rebounded off the post, leaving the score at 1-0.

Boro go one better than last year and advance to the second round of the Carabao Cup.