Chelsea and Wrexham battled to a 2-2 draw in a friendly match held at Levi’s Stadium on Wednesday night. The game saw a dramatic back-and-forth between the two teams, with Chelsea ultimately salvaging a tie thanks to a late goal from Lesley Ugochukwu in the 82nd minute. Ugochukwu’s shot from the middle of the box found its way through traffic into the right corner of the net, leveling the score.
Wrexham, the Welsh team co-owned by actor Ryan Reynolds, had taken a 2-1 lead earlier in the second half. Luke Bolton scored the opening goal for Wrexham in the 58th minute, receiving a crossing pass from Sebastian Revan and finishing from the right wing. Jack Marriott then extended Wrexham’s lead in the 72nd minute, capitalizing on a counterattack.
Chelsea’s first goal of the match came in the 35th minute through Christopher Nkunku. The talented forward fired a shot into the left corner of the net, past Wrexham goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo, after receiving an assist from Marc Guiu following a corner kick.
The match marked the start of Chelsea’s preseason under new manager Enzo Maresca, the former Leicester City manager. Maresca expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance, particularly considering the short amount of time they had been working together. He emphasized the importance of building team identity and seeing the progress made in just two weeks.
Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson highlighted the importance of displaying the team’s signature spirit, a trait that has become synonymous with the club in recent years. He emphasized the team’s commitment to their working-class roots and their desire to represent their community with pride in every performance.
Chelsea had previously defeated Wrexham 5-0 in a friendly match last season. This time, however, Wrexham proved to be a more formidable opponent, pushing Chelsea to the limit and showcasing their own brand of tenacious football. The match served as a valuable test for both sides, offering insights into their progress and providing a glimpse of what fans can expect from them in the upcoming season.
