The Carabao Cup third round recently brought thrilling matches and unexpected results, captivating football fans across the nation. Closely following Wrexham’s feel-good story, Grimsby Town made waves with their fairy-tale run. In the third round, they shocked everyone by knocking out Manchester United and Sheffield Wednesday. Newcastle United, the reigning champions of the competition, pumped up their title defense with an impressive stomping of Bradford City. This jaw-dropping victory now lines them up for a blockbuster fourth-round clash with Tottenham Hotspur.
Grimsby Town’s Remarkable Journey
Grimsby Town have turned out to be one of the surprise teams in this year’s edition of the Carabao Cup. Their Cinderella run had begun with a stunning upset of storied Manchester United in the tournament’s second round. This shocking win had both fans and television analysts reeling. They backed this performance up with an even better display at Hillsborough, beating Sheffield Wednesday 4-1 in the FA Cup third round. This strange success has turned Grimsby Town into a favorite team to follow, catching the fancy of football fans.
The win against Sheffield Wednesday was a perfect example of Grimsby’s fighting spirit and smart tactics. What has distinguished the team most from every other club in the tournament has been the team’s penchant for getting results in close-fought matches. And with every step along their historic run, the Cinderellas of this world raised hopes and/or fears of more upsets to come while their magical run lasted.
As Grimsby Town get ready for their upcoming game, supporters can only wish that their fairytale run continues. The energy behind their run has injected a wild card element into this season’s Carabao Cup to go with the name itself.
Established Clubs Show Their Strength
Alongside Grimsby Town’s stunning story, clubs like Blackburn Rovers have proven their dominance on the women’s side of the tournament. Newcastle United, the defending Carabao Cup champions, creamed Bradford City in the last one. They went on to register an impressive 4-1 win. Their awe-inspiring dominance solidifies their position as one of the favorites to take this year’s championship.
Tottenham Hotspur had an impressive offensive display of their own to make headlines, thumping Doncaster 3-0 in the process. As they prepare to take on Newcastle United in the fourth round, excitement is palpable. It shapes up to be an electrifying matchup between two of these powerful teams, and fans can’t wait.
Manchester City and Liverpool cruised through their matches, too. And Manchester City cruised to a 2-0 win against Huddersfield Town, and Liverpool squeaked by Southampton, 2-1. Such strong performances speak to the rising competitiveness among many of the top clubs in this tournament.
Upcoming Rounds and Key Dates
The fourth round of the Carabao Cup is currently set to be played in the week beginning October 27, 2025. This round will boast some very exciting matchups, including the repeat of last weekend’s clash between Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur.
Further down the road, round five will be the week of December 15, 2025. That first leg of the semi-final, should we make it that far, will begin the week of January 12, 2026. The second leg will be in the week of February 2, 2026. Lastly, supporters can circle on their calendars their club’s appearance in the 2026 Carabao Cup final — scheduled to be held on Sunday, March 22, 2026.
Here’s to an exciting football season! The best in world soccer will be on display as teams compete for one of English football’s most coveted prizes. The mix of historic titans of the game and newcomers looking to seize the stage creates an exciting wild card dynamic.
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