Carabao Cup First Round Results: West Ham, Burnley, Millwall Win 2026

The Carabao Cup first round delivered drama and upsets, with West Ham, Burnley, and Millwall securing victories. Football fans witnessed penalty shootouts, late comebacks, and lower-league surprises across the competition.

Carabao Cup First Round Highlights

West Ham came from behind to beat Portsmouth 3-1 at the London Stadium. Burnley edged Notts County 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw. Millwall also advanced via a shootout, beating QPR 2-0 on penalties after a 1-1 stalemate.

Penalty Shootout Thrillers

Several ties went to spot-kicks, with dramatic conclusions. AFC Wimbledon beat Newport 5-4, Barnsley edged Wigan 6-5, and Reading overcame Bromley 5-4. Doncaster also triumphed 5-4 against Stockport, while Shrewsbury beat Salford 4-3.

Key Takeaways from the First Round

• Premier League sides like West Ham and Burnley showed resilience to advance.
• Penalty shootouts decided 7 of the 25 ties, highlighting the competitive nature.
• Lower-league teams like Bromley and Newport pushed higher-ranked opponents to the brink.
• Norwich and Leicester cruised through with comfortable wins.

Other Notable Results

Leicester beat Northampton 1-0, Norwich thrashed MK Dons 4-1, and Blackburn won 2-1 at Burton. Luton impressed with a 3-0 victory over Gillingham, while Blackpool won 3-1 at Grimsby.

What This Means for the Tournament

The first round showcased the depth of English football, with upsets and close contests. As the second round approaches, fans eagerly anticipate the draw and potential giant-killings.

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