Hugh Jackman Watches Wrexham Lose Eight-Goal Thriller In Club's First EFL Game Since 2008

Originally posted on FanNation Futbol
By Robert Summerscales | Last updated 8/5/23

Wrexham AFC's first game back in the English Football League after 5,631 days away did not go to plan but it was still highly entertaining.

The club owned by Hollywood duo Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney lost 5-3 against MK Dons on the opening day of the EFL League Two season.

Australian actor Hugh Jackman was among the crowd at the Racecourse Ground, which is now officially called the 'SToK Cae Ras' for sponsorship reasons.

Jackman tweeted two photos of himself posing with Reynolds and McElhenney before kickoff on Saturday and wrote: "Finally snagged an invite. Thanks Wrex".

Wrexham had ended their 15-year spell in the fifth tier of English soccer by winning the National League title last season.

The third-oldest professional soccer club in the world began the 2023/24 season as the bookmakers' favorites to win another promotion.

But Wrexham did not start like promotion contenders on Saturday.

MK Dons took the lead in the sixth minute when Eoghan O'Connell scored an own goal.

Daniel Harvie hit the post moments later before Mohamed Eisa made it 2-0 inside the opening 10 minutes.

Wrexham got back into the contest three minutes before half-time when Jacob Mendy became the club's first EFL goalscorer since Chris Llewellyn in May 2008.

But Jonathan Leko netted twice in the second half to crush hope of a Wrexham comeback, although there was still time for three more goals.

Jordan Davies scored for Wrexham in the 82nd minute but Harvie then made it 5-2 to MK Dons in the fourth minute of added time.

Anthony Forde completed the scoring two minutes later.

Next up for Wrexham will be a home game against Wigan in the first round of the EFL Cup on Tuesday, before they return to League Two action with a trip to AFC Wimbledon next weekend.

This article first appeared on FanNation Futbol and was syndicated with permission.

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