Hull back in the Premier League after dramatic late goal in playoff

LONDON (AP) — Oli McBurnie scored late in stoppage time to send Hull into the Premier League after beating Middlesbrough 1-0 in a playoff at a scorching Wembley on Saturday.

It ends a nine-year absence from the top flight for Hull, which survived relegation to League One a year ago only on goal difference.

“We felt we’d have one chance and I felt like it was written for me to get it,” McBurnie told broadcaster Sky Sports. "I didn’t think it would be so late on, but what a feeling.

“I couldn’t sleep last night, I was looking forward to this game so much, I am delighted.”

Middlesbrough arguably shouldn’t even have been in the Championship Final playoff as it lost the semifinal to Southampton but was reinstated after the south coast club was expelled for spying on Middlesbrough's trainings. Southampton lost its appeal last week.

The playoff final is labeled the world’s richest one-off soccer match because a windfall of at least $270 million in future earnings is on offer for the winning team.

Hull and Middlesbrough had been in the Championship for nine years after going up to the Premier League together in 2015-16 and then coming down together a season later.

On Saturday, both teams struggled to create opportunities in a cagey first half.

Hull went closest on the stroke of halftime when McBurnie’s header flicked off a Middlesbrough defender and clipped the top of the crossbar.

The match opened up more in the second half but neither goalkeeper was seriously tested and it appeared as if, with the heat already sapping their energy, the teams were set for extra time and penalties.

However, in the fifth minute of stoppage time, Yu Hirakawa whipped in a cross from the left and Boro goalkeeper Sol Brynn could only push it into the path of McBurnie, who lashed it into the empty net from close range.

McBurnie ripped off his shirt as he wheeled away in celebration.

Boro’s Wembley curse continued as it lost at the stadium for the sixth time in as many appearances.

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

Hull City's Oliver McBurnie celebrates with the trophy after winning promotion to the Premier League following the Championship play-off final between Hull City and Middlesbrough at Wembley Stadium, London, Saturday May 23, 2026. (Adam Davy/PA via AP)

Hull City's Lewis Coyle lifts the trophy after winning promotion to the Premier League following the Championship play-off final between Hull City and Middlesbrough at Wembley Stadium, London, Saturday May 23, 2026. (Jordan Pettitt/PA via AP)

Hull City manager Sergej Jakirovic reacts on the touchline during the Championship play-off final between Hull City and Middlesbrough at Wembley Stadium, London, Saturday May 23, 2026. (Adam Davy/PA via AP)

Middlesbrough goalkeeper Sol Brynn reacts after Hull City's Oliver McBurnie scores their side's first goal during the Championship play-off final between Hull City and Middlesbrough at Wembley Stadium, London, Saturday May 23, 2026. (Jordan Pettitt/PA via AP)

Hull City's Oliver McBurnie celebrates scoring their side's first goal of the game during the Championship play-off final between Hull City and Middlesbrough at Wembley Stadium, London, Saturday May 23, 2026. (John Walton/PA via AP)

Hull City's Oliver McBurnie, second right, scores their side's first goal of the game during the Championship play-off final between Hull City and Middlesbrough at Wembley Stadium, London, Saturday May 23, 2026. (Jordan Pettitt/PA via AP)

Hull City's Oliver McBurnie celebrates scoring their side's first goal of the game during the Championship play-off final between Hull City and Middlesbrough at Wembley Stadium, London, Saturday May 23, 2026. (John Walton/PA via AP)

PILA, Italy (AP) — Pre-race favorite Jonas Vingegaard moved into the overall lead of the Giro d’Italia on Saturday, emphatically taking control of the race by soloing to victory on the brutal 14th stage.

Vingegaard attacked on the daunting climb to the finish with just under five kilometers remaining, and no one could follow. The Team Visma-Lease a Bike rider beat Felix Gall by 49 seconds, and Jai Hindley was nine seconds further back.

The 133-kilometer (83-mile) route from Aosta included five climbs, two of them ranked category one, including a huge 16-kilometer (10-mile) slog up to the finish at Pila.

It was the third mountain-top finish in this year's race and a third victory for Vingegaard, who triumphed atop Blockhaus and Corno alle Scale.

“This one is the one I will remember the most,” Vingegaard said. "Today we made a plan from the start with the team; we wanted to control the race and that’s what my teammates did and they did an incredible job the whole day.

“It was really impressive how they rode. I’m so proud of my teammates and I’m proud that I can pay them back. It’s a super nice win.”

Afonso Eulálio, who had been in pink since finishing second in the fifth stage, was dropped on the final climb and finished nearly three minutes behind Vingegaard.

The young Portuguese rider managed to remain second in the overall standings, 2:26 behind Vingegaard and 24 seconds ahead of Gall, who moved into third.

“We were expecting this,” Eulálio said. “Jonas is Jonas. Yesterday I already told him he won this stage, you know, and I just keep fighting at the finish line and that’s it … I don’t like so much long, long climbs.”

Sunday’s 15th stage will offer the riders some respite before a tough final week in the high mountains. The entirely flat 157-kilometer (98-mile) route starts in Voghera and ends with four laps of a circuit in Milan.

The Giro ends on May 31 in Rome.

The women’s Giro from May 30-June 7 will be defended by Italian rider Elisa Longo Borghini.

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

Denmark's Jonas Vingegaard pedals on his way to win the 14th stage and take the overall lead of the Giro d'Italia cycling race, from Aosta to Pila, Italy, Saturday, May 23, 2026. (Marco Alpozzi/LaPresse via AP)

Portugal's Afonso Oliveira Eulálio reacts after completing the 14th stage of the Giro d'Italia cycling race, from Aosta to Pila, Italy, Saturday, May 23, 2026. (Gian Mattia d'Alberto/LaPresse via AP)

Denmark's Jonas Vingegaard is cheered by spectators on his way to win the 14th stage of the Giro d'Italia cycling race, from Aosta to Pila, Italy, Saturday, May 23, 2026. (Marco Alpozzi/LaPresse via AP)

Denmark's Jonas Vingegaard wears the pink jersey of the race overall leader on the podium after winning the 14th stage of the Giro d'Italia cycling race, from Aosta to Pila, Italy, Saturday, May 23, 2026. (Gian Mattia d'Alberto /LaPresse via AP)

Denmark's Jonas Vingegaard celebrates winning the 14th stage of the Giro d'Italia cycling race, from Aosta to Pila, Italy, Saturday, May 23, 2026. (Gian Mattia d'Alberto /LaPresse via AP)

Riders pedal during the 14th stage of the Giro d'Italia cycling race, from Aosta to Pila, Italy, Saturday, May 23, 2026. (Marco Alpozzi/LaPresse via AP)

The pack rides during the 14th stage of the Giro d'Italia cycling race, from Aosta to Pila, Italy, Saturday, May 23, 2026. (Marco Alpozzi/LaPresse via AP)

Spain's Igor Arrieta Lizarraga is backdropped by mountain peaks as he pedals during the 14th stage of the Giro d'Italia cycling race, from Aosta to Pila, Italy, Saturday, May 23, 2026. (Marco Alpozzi/LaPresse via AP)

The Giro d'Italia's trophy is on display ahead of the 14th stage of the Giro d'Italia cycling race, from Aosta to Pila, Italy, Saturday, May 23, 2026. (Massimo PaoloneLaPresse via AP)