Wrexham Stun QPR With Dramatic Stoppage-Time Comeback

At MATRADE Loftus Road on a brisk Saturday afternoon, Queens Park Rangers and Wrexham delivered a Championship clash for the ages—one that will be talked about for months, if not years, among fans of both clubs. The match, played on January 24, 2026, was billed as a mid-table showdown with playoff implications. But few could have predicted the drama and sheer unpredictability that unfolded as Wrexham snatched a 3-2 victory in the dying seconds, vaulting themselves into the coveted playoff spots for the first time this season.

The stage was set with both teams neck-and-neck in the standings. Wrexham entered the contest in 10th place with 41 points from 28 matches, while Queens Park Rangers sat just two spots behind in 12th with 40 points. Both clubs were eager to push higher up the table, with recent form suggesting a tightly contested affair. Wrexham had just come off a 1-1 draw against Leicester City, while QPR were looking to extend their unbeaten run after back-to-back goalless draws and a convincing 3-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday.

From the opening whistle, it was clear that the hosts meant business. QPR, managed by Julien Stephan, came out with intent, dominating possession and pressing high up the pitch. The breakthrough came early—just six minutes in—when Harvey Vale pounced on a rebound after Kader Dembele’s thunderous shot rattled the crossbar. Vale’s volley was nothing short of spectacular, flying past Wrexham goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo and sending the home fans into raptures. According to reports, “Vale’s stunning, athletic left-footed volley flew past Arthur Okonkwo, giving the Welsh side’s goalkeeper no chance.”

Wrexham, for their part, looked rattled. The Red Dragons struggled to gain a foothold, failing to register a single shot on target in the first half. QPR’s defense, marshaled by Steve Cook and Amadou Mbengue, looked impenetrable, and the hosts could have easily doubled their lead if not for some wasteful finishing. Paul Smyth and Cook both squandered excellent chances, and as halftime approached, the visitors seemed fortunate to be trailing by just one goal.

Yet, as has so often been the case this season, Wrexham showed remarkable resilience. Manager Phil Parkinson made subtle tactical tweaks at the break, and his side emerged with renewed vigor. The equalizer arrived in the 54th minute, seemingly out of nowhere. Callum Doyle, a summer signing from Manchester City, found himself in space and squeezed a low shot inside the near post for his first goal in Wrexham colors. “Doyle’s shot crept inside the near post, just moments after Joe Walsh had made a stunning low save,” read the match report, capturing the shift in momentum.

The goal galvanized Wrexham, but QPR were not to be outdone. As the clock ticked down, the hosts pressed forward, desperate to reclaim the lead. Their persistence paid off in the 80th minute when Steve Cook rose highest to meet a corner, heading home what looked to be the match-winner. The home crowd erupted, sensing a fourth game unbeaten was within reach.

But football, as ever, is a game of fine margins and late twists. The match turned dramatically in the closing moments. QPR’s Amadou Mbengue, already on a yellow card, was sent off late for a rash challenge, reducing the hosts to ten men at the worst possible time. The sending off gave Wrexham a glimmer of hope, and Parkinson’s men threw everything forward in a desperate search for an equalizer.

Stoppage time at Loftus Road became a cauldron of nerves and excitement. In the 93rd minute, Josh Windass—brought on as a substitute—found space on the edge of the box and fired home to level the scores at 2-2. The Wrexham bench exploded, but the drama was far from over. With seconds remaining, Oliver Rathbone, already a hero in Wrexham’s recent FA Cup exploits, unleashed a 25-yard rocket that soared past QPR’s Joe Walsh. The ball hit the back of the net in the 95th minute, sealing a remarkable comeback and Rathbone’s fifth goal of the season. “Rathbone broke Rangers’ hearts when he smashed home in the 95th minute, sending Phil Parkinson’s men sixth in the table,” noted one commentator, perfectly summing up the moment.

The final whistle brought disbelief and delight for the traveling Wrexham supporters, while QPR’s faithful could only shake their heads at what had transpired. The statistics told a story of a game QPR had largely controlled—especially in the first half—but Wrexham’s late surge proved decisive. Notably, the Red Dragons have now claimed 15 points from losing positions this season, a tally bettered only by Coventry and Watford in the Championship.

For Wrexham, the victory was more than just three points. It marked the first time all season that the club, co-owned by Hollywood duo Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, had cracked the top six. With 44 points from 29 matches, they now occupy the final playoff spot, just ahead of Bristol City, Watford, and Preston. The win keeps their Wembley dreams alive, but Parkinson’s men know tougher tests lie ahead. A week’s rest awaits before a trip to last-place Sheffield Wednesday, followed by a high-stakes encounter with Millwall—currently fifth in the table—in early February. The fixture list remains unforgiving, with FA Cup commitments and clashes against promotion rivals looming on the horizon.

Queens Park Rangers, meanwhile, are left to regroup after a gut-wrenching defeat. Despite a disciplined defensive display for much of the match, lapses in concentration and a costly red card undid their good work. The loss leaves them 12th in the standings, with 40 points from 29 games, and searching for answers as they aim to reignite their own playoff push.

For neutrals and die-hard fans alike, this was a contest that encapsulated the magic and madness of English football’s second tier. As the dust settles, Wrexham’s improbable comeback will stand as a testament to their fighting spirit—and a warning to every Championship contender that late drama is always just around the corner.