Charles strikes in extra time as Southampton edge Middlesbrough | OneFootball

Match in Five Sentences: Southampton beat Middlesbrough 2-1 after extra time at St Mary's. Riley McGree put Boro ahead in the fifth minute, turning in Callum Brittain's cross after a set piece. Ross Stewart levelled for the hosts in the first minute of first half stoppage time, and Saints wrestled momentum after the restart. Boro were forced into deep defence, making 52 clearances as the Saints piled on pressure with corners and crosses. Shea Charles won the tie in the 23rd minute of extra time with a low strike, sending the Saints through.

Player of the Match: Charles settled the tie with the extra time winner and won possession seven times, adding 43 accurate passes to control midfield.

Stat of the Match: Sol Brynn produced four saves, keeping Boro in the contest until extra time.

Three Things We Learned: The Saints forced 11 corners to Boro's five, underlining territorial control. The hosts attempted 20 shots to the visitors' 19, but hit the target more often, seven to three. Taylor Harwood-Bellis completed 77 of 91 passes and provided the assist for the winner, showing calm distribution from the back.