Southampton beat Middlesbrough in extra time to reach play-off final

Southampton secured a place in the Sky Bet Championship play-off final with a 2-1 extra-time victory over Middlesbrough at St Mary's. Shea Charles scored the decisive goal late in extra time to ensure the hosts progressed after the match remained deadlocked through ninety minutes.

Middlesbrough took an early lead in the fifth minute when Riley McGree converted a low cross from Callum Brittain. The Australian midfielder struck the ball from 16 yards out, leaving goalkeeper Daniel Peretz unable to respond. The visitors maintained pressure following the opener, with Morgan Whittaker nearly adding a second after a shot was blocked by Ryan Manning.

Southampton responded before the interval. In the sixth minute of first-half stoppage time, Ross Stewart rose to head home an equalizer following a period of sustained pressure. The goal followed several missed opportunities for the hosts, including a chance for Stewart earlier in the half that he failed to control.

The second half was a tense affair with few clear-cut chances. Ryan Manning saw a low drive deflect off Luke Ayling and narrowly miss the post, while Kuryu Matsuki provided defensive stability by blocking several Middlesbrough attacks. Despite tactical changes from Tonda Eckert, including the introduction of Cyle Larin and Samuel Edozie, neither side could find a winner in regulation time.

Extra time saw further attempts to break the deadlock. Edozie was denied a chance to win the game, and Larin also missed an opportunity following a cross. However, Charles eventually found the net as penalties approached, ending the contest and sending the home supporters to the final.