Wrexham gets a rude welcome to the Championship as Southampton twice strikes late for 2-1 win

SOUTHAMPTON, England (AP) — Wrexham was denied a Hollywood-style ending on its return to English soccer’s second tier on Saturday when relegated Premier League team Southampton struck twice in the final minutes to grab a 2-1 win.

Josh Windass’ penalty kick in the 22nd minute looked enough for Wrexham’s first win in the Welsh team’s first game back in the division in 43 years.

But Ireland defender Ryan Manning equalized in the 90th with a brilliant free kick over the wall inside the right post and then sent Jack Stephens sliding in at the far post to poke the winning goal into the roof of the net in the 96th at St. Mary's Stadium.

Wrexham missed numerous changes to build on its lead. Ryan Hardie might have sealed the win in the 87th but goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu tipped the Scottish forward's left-footed shot just wide.

“It hurts because the lads have given us a lot today,” Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson told Sky Sports. “We had a chance to kill the game off. To be fair to Ryan, the keeper has made a brilliant save.”

Southampton went closest before the break when Jay Robinson struck the post. Conor Coady cleared Adam Armstrong’s effort from the rebound off the line. Wrexham signed Coady from Leicester — he arrived with 198 games of Premier League experience.

Wrexham has enjoyed a spectacular rise under celebrity co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. Just three years ago, Wrexham was playing non-league soccer in England’s fifth tier.

After three straight promotions, Wrexham is in the Championship. It's one tier below the Premier League and renowned as one of the toughest divisions in soccer.

Saturday’s finale showed Wrexham just how tough it can be.

Parkinson noted that Southampton, which won just two games in the Premier League last season, has “a multimillion-pound bench to throw on” as substitutes.

“I was very proud today, stood out there watching the team run out in front of our supporters,” he added. “It was one of those moments where you kind of reflect back a little bit because of where we’ve come from, and for me to be stood here and be really disappointed we haven’t got something out of the game says a lot for the squad.”

Some Welsh clubs — including Wrexham, Swansea and Cardiff — have long played in England’s league system for historical reasons as there was no national Welsh league when they moved. The first league representing all of Wales was only founded in 1992.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Wrexham's Matthew James and Southampton's Jay Robinson, right, vie for the ball during the English Football League Championship match at St Mary's Stadium, Southampton, England, Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025. (Steven Paston/PA via AP)

Southampton's Adam Armstrong, left, attempts a shot towards goal but is blocked by Wrexham's Conor Coady during their English Football League Championship match at St Mary's Stadium, Southampton, England, Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025. (Steven Paston/PA via AP)

Wrexham's Josh Windass scores his side's first goal of the game from the penalty spot past Southampton goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu during their English Football League Championship soccer match, at St Mary's Stadium, Southampton, England, Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025. (Steven Paston/PA via AP)

Wrexham's Ollie Palmer, right, attempts a shot on goal during their English Football League Championship soccer match against Southampton, at St Mary's Stadium, Southampton, England, Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025. (Steven Paston/PA via AP)

Wrexham's Kieffer Moore lays injured during their English Football League Championship soccer match against Southampton, at St Mary's Stadium, Southampton, England, Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025. (Steven Paston/PA via AP)

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan 12, 2026--

Global Critical Resources Corporation (GCR) today announced the appointment of Matthieu Bos as a Member of its Advisory Board. Mr. Bos is a seasoned executive with more than fifteen years of experience in the mining and banking industries.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260112354990/en/

Mr. Bos is currently the President and Chief Executive Officer of Falcon Energy Materials Plc (TSX: FLCN) (Falcon), an anode material development company. Backed by La Mancha Fund, Falcon is building a battery material plant in the Kingdom of Morocco.

Prior to joining Falcon, Mr. Bos served as Executive Vice President Africa of Ivanhoe Mines (TSX:IVN) (Ivanhoe), a leading Canadian diversified mining company which has developed the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Project in the Democratic Republic of Congo. His responsibilities included corporate development, investor relations, concentrate marketing, and government relations. Mr. Bos also helped Ivanhoe secure more than $3 billion in financing and investment. Mr. Bos began his career in the metals and mining group of BMO Capital Markets.

Mr. Bos also has an impressive track record of advising companies in the natural resources sector. He will continue to serve on the board of Hercules Metals (TSX:BIG), an Idaho-focused copper exploration company, and SRQ Exploration (TSX:SRQ), a Quebec-focused nickel exploration company. Mr. Bos was previously Non-Executive Director at Elemental Altus Royalties, a precious metals royalty company which attracted the first investment in the mining sector from the Tether stablecoin, and Shanta Gold, an East African gold producer.

Mr. Bos holds a Master of Science degree in Metallurgy and a Bachelor of Science degree in Mining Engineering, both from the Delft University of Technology. He speaks Dutch, English, and French.

“We are excited to welcome Matthieu to our team. His considerable experience and track record of success in the mining industry across Africa and the world will help bring GCR to its next chapter of growth,” said GCR’s Executive Chairman Cevdet Caner.

GCR Chief Executive Officer Richard Bunning said, “Matthieu’s appointment demonstrates our commitment to building a world-class advisory team with deep technical, operational, and geopolitical expertise. His leadership and unique perspective will accelerate the execution of our strategic vision.”

Mr. Bos stated, “I am honored to join GCR’s Advisory Board at such a pivotal time for the company. I look forward to working with Cevdet, Richard, and rest of GCR’s first-class team as they create a strong foundation for long-term success in this critical industry.”

Global Critical Resources Corporation (GCR) is a U.S.-registered producer of the critical metals that power modern life with assets in Africa and South America. GCR’s Executive Chairman, Austrian entrepreneur Cevdet Caner, has over two decades experience investing in the mining and property sectors and is the founder of several multi-billion-dollar real estate and natural resource companies.

Matthieu Bos, Advisory Board Member, Global Critical Resources Corporation