Shea Charles' dream moment sends Southampton to Championship final 2026

Southampton midfielder Shea Charles scored a dramatic extra-time winner against Middlesbrough to book their place in the Championship play-off final at Wembley.

Historic goal seals victory Southampton's Shea Charles described his decisive strike in the Championship play-off semi-final second leg as an unforgettable moment. With just four minutes left in extra time at St Mary's Stadium on Tuesday night, he struck a cross-shot that soared over a cluster of defenders. As the ball arced through the air, anticipation hung in the stadium before erupting into celebration when it nestled into the top corner. The strike put Southampton ahead against Middlesbrough after two intense matches, securing a 2-1 aggregate win and sending them to the play-off final against Hull City at Wembley. ## Player reflects on emotional win Charles shared his thoughts after the match, stating, "It was a great moment - you dream about these moments. Fortunately I've got a couple of them now and never take them for granted, but it's such a big result for the club." He admitted the game's intensity was unlike anything else, noting how few players experience 120-minute battles. "You don't play many 120-minute games so you're never really fully prepared for it. A lot of us were struggling, but we had to battle through and fortunately we got what we deserved." ## Key goals define Championship season This season has seen Charles become a regular contributor with crucial goals that have shaped Southampton's campaign. All four of his Championship strikes this term have left a mark for different reasons. His 96th-minute winner against Leicester City stands out, where Saints overturned a 3-0 deficit at King Power Stadium. A long-range stunner against Oxford also made headlines, while his equaliser at Swansea in April set up a dramatic comeback in Wales. ## Arsenal and Boro goals highlight cup runs Among his most memorable strikes was the 85th-minute winner against Arsenal that propelled Southampton into the FA Cup semi-finals. The latest addition to his goal tally came against Middlesbrough, further cementing his reputation as a clutch performer under manager Tonda Eckert. "It's impossible to pick a favourite," Charles joked when asked about his standout goals. "I've been in the right place at the right time, and I've really been able to help the team and that's what I want to do." ## Team eyes Wembley glory after emotional night The squad remains focused despite the euphoria, with Charles stating, "Everyone's dead excited. It's such a massive win but we know deep down that we've got one more game to go, so we can really enjoy it tonight and then refocus when we're next in." He praised the team's resilience throughout the grueling season, emphasizing their one-game-at-a-time approach. "The team have done such a good job - it's such a long season. We're really just focusing on the next game every time and then we'll see what happens."