qpr vs wrexham: Rathbone Injury-Time Stunner Seals 3-2 Win

Introduction — Why qpr vs wrexham mattered

The Sky Bet Championship clash between Queens Park Rangers and Wrexham at Loftus Road on 24 January 2026 produced one of the competition’s most dramatic finishes of the season. The game mattered for both clubs: QPR sought to build momentum at home, while Wrexham aimed to strengthen their push in the table. The late, dramatic reversal underlined how quickly fortunes can change in the Championship and offered a reminder of the fine margins that influence promotion and relegation races.

Main body — Match details and turning points

First half and early second-half developments

Steve Cook appeared to have given QPR the upper hand with a goal in the 80th minute that looked to have settled the contest in Rangers’ favour. Earlier in the match, Wrexham had managed to stay in contention and produced an equaliser nine minutes after the interval, keeping the visitors within reach and setting the scene for a tense finish.

Red card and stoppage-time drama

The turning point arrived late. QPR were reduced to 10 men when Amadou Mbengue was sent off roughly 10 minutes after Cook’s strike, a dismissal that left Rangers vulnerable in the closing stages. Wrexham seized the opportunity: Josh Windass and then Ollie Rathbone struck in stoppage time, netting twice in the space of a minute to complete a stunning turnaround and secure a 3-2 victory for the Red Dragons.

Key moments and individual contributions

Wrexham’s late comeback featured decisive contributions from Windass and Rathbone, with Rathbone’s injury-time strike earning the match’s final and most memorable moment. The match also saw moments involving Madsen, who intercepted a loose pass related to QPR’s first goal and later curled a shot wide of the far corner — illustrating the fine margins that featured throughout the contest.

Conclusion — Implications and outlook

The 3-2 result at Loftus Road offers Wrexham valuable momentum and a morale-boosting win, while QPR will be left rueing the red card and the late collapse. For neutral observers and followers of the Championship, the match reinforced the league’s unpredictability and the importance of discipline and focus to the final whistle. Looking ahead, both clubs will take lessons from the encounter: Wrexham can build on the resilience shown, and QPR must address the defensive lapse that allowed a stoppage-time turnaround.