Saints march to Wembley after dramatic win over Middlesbrough | OneFootball

Southampton booked their place in the Championship play-off final after edging past Middlesbrough 2-1 after extra time at St Mary’s.

Following a goalless first leg, the visitors struck first when Riley McGree calmly swept home from inside the box to stun the home crowd early on.

The Saints responded well and levelled just before half-time through Ross Stewart, who reacted quickest to nod in after Ryan Manning’s effort had been saved.

The second half was dominated by Southampton, but Sol Brynn produced several important saves to keep Middlesbrough in the tie and force extra time.

Just as penalties looked inevitable, Shea Charles delivered the decisive moment four minutes from the end. His dangerous cross from the right evaded everyone and crept into the far corner to spark wild celebrations inside St Mary’s.

Saints will now face Hull City at Wembley on 23 May with a place in the Premier League at stake.

Incidents: The story of the match

Southampton Official Line-ups:

Daniel Peretz, James Bree, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Nathan Wood, Ryan Manning, Shea Charles, Finn Azaz, Caspar Jander, Kuryu Matsuki, Léo Scienza, Ross Stewart

Middlesbrough Official Line-ups:

Sol Brynn, Luke Ayling, Callum Brittain, Dael Fry, Adilson Malanda, Matt Targett, Riley McGree, Aidan Morris, Morgan Whittaker, Dávid Strelec, Tommy Conway

1':

The match begins

Middlesbrough takes the lead 1-0 against Southampton. Riley McGree scores with a right-footed shot from the center of the box into the left corner, assisted by Callum Brittain's cross.Middlesbrough takes the lead 1-0 against Southampton as Riley McGree scores with a right-footed shot from the center of the box into the left corner, assisted by Callum Brittain's cross.Middlesbrough takes the lead 1-0 with Riley McGree scoring from the center of the box into the left corner, assisted by Callum Brittain's cross.Middlesbrough takes the lead 1-0 against Southampton as Riley McGree scores with a right-footed shot from the center of the box into the left corner, assisted by Callum Brittain's cross.Middlesbrough takes the lead 1-0 with Riley McGree scoring from the center of the box into the left corner, assisted by Callum Brittain's cross.Riley McGree scores to make it 1-0, assisted by Callum Brittain.Middlesbrough takes the lead 1-0 against Southampton as Riley McGree scores with a right-footed shot from the center of the box into the left corner, assisted by Callum Brittain's cross.Riley McGree scores to make it 1-0, assisted by Callum Brittain.Middlesbrough takes the lead 1-0 against Southampton as Riley McGree scores with a right-footed shot from the center of the box into the left corner, assisted by Callum Brittain's cross.Riley McGree scores to make it 1-0, assisted by Callum Brittain.Middlesbrough takes the lead 1-0 against Southampton as Riley McGree scores with a right-footed shot from the center of the box into the left corner, assisted by Callum Brittain's cross.Riley McGree scores to make it 1-0, assisted by Callum Brittain.Middlesbrough leads 1-0 after Riley McGree scores with a right-footed shot from the center of the box into the left corner, assisted by Callum Brittain's cross.

5':

GOAL Middlesbrough: Riley McGree (Middlesbrough) scores!

Riley McGree scores goal number 1 in the competition (2 matches)

Ross Stewart scores for Southampton with a header from close range into the top center of the goal. The match is now 1-1.Ross Stewart scores for Southampton with a header from close range into the high center of the goal. The match is now 1-1.Ross Stewart scores, making it 1-1.Ross Stewart scores for Southampton with a header from close range, making it 1-1 against Middlesbrough.Ross Stewart scores, making it 1-1.Ross Stewart scores for Southampton with a header from close range into the top center of the goal. The match is now 1-1.Ross Stewart equalizes the score to 1-1.The match is now 1-1 as Ross Stewart scores for Southampton with a header from close range into the top center of the goal.Ross Stewart scores, making it 1-1.Ross Stewart scores for Southampton with a header from close range into the high center of the goal. The match is now 1-1 against Middlesbrough.

45 +1':

GOAL Southampton: Ross Stewart (Southampton) scores!

Ross Stewart scores goal number 1 in the competition (2 matches)

Southampton leads 2-1 against Middlesbrough as Shea Charles scores with a left-footed shot from long distance on the right.Southampton lead 2-1 against Middlesbrough. Shea Charles scores for Southampton with a left-footed shot from long distance into the left corner, assisted by Taylor Harwood-Bellis.

116':

GOAL Southampton: Shea Charles (Southampton) scores!

Shea Charles scores goal number 1 in the competition (2 matches)

998':

The referee whistles for the end of the match