WREXHAM – As the FA Cup welcomed its top contenders on Friday, an upset was quick to unfold.

In a dramatic showdown, Wrexham, a Championship team, sent Premier League’s Nottingham Forest packing by winning 4-3 in a penalty shootout. The intense clash had concluded at 3-3 after both regular and extra time.

Arthur Okonkwo emerged as the star for Wrexham, making two crucial saves that propelled his team into the fourth round.

The Welsh club, under the ownership of actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, seemed poised for success, taking a 2-0 lead at halftime with goals from Liberato Cacace and Ollie Rathbone.

Nottingham Forest’s Igor Jesus narrowed the gap with a header at the 64-minute mark, but Wrexham’s Dominic Hyam answered back with a diving header, reestablishing their two-goal advantage just 10 minutes later.

Forest substitute Callum Hudson-Odoi scored in the 76th and 89th minutes to force the game into extra time but when neither side could get a winner it went to penalties.

James MacLean missed for Wrexham but Okonkwo saved from Igor Jesus and Omari Hutchinson to send the home fans into raptures.

“The manager spoke to us before the game, told us about the history of the club and how we’re able to beat teams who are way above us,” a jubilant Okonkwo said. “It was amazing to win the game in the end. We just have to enjoy the moment.”

The FA Cup kicked off in August with 446 clubs dreaming of a place in the famous final at Wembley Stadium but teams from the top two tiers enter only at this third round.

Friday’s win was another memorable chapter in the rise of the Welsh club that was bought in 2021 by Hollywood pair Reynolds and McElhenney.

The stars have overseen Wrexham’s rapid ascent and watched three consecutive promotions. It sits ninth in the Championship and Friday’s win was its fifth in a row in all competitions.

___

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