Blackburn vs Middlesbrough

Saturday, 22 August 2026 at 17:00Ewood Park, BlackburnTom Reeves, England

Summary

Match report

Blackburn beat Middlesbrough 2-1 in the EFL Championship (Matchday 2). Middlesbrough led 1-0 at half-time. Blackburn came from a goal down to win.

Blackburn’s goals came from A. Gudjohnsen in the 49th minute and T. Cantwell in the 55th minute. Middlesbrough’s goal came from J. Sarmiento in the 12th minute. B. Toth was the highest-rated player on the pitch (8.2).

Player of the match

B. Toth

Blackburn90'2Rating 8.2

Key stats

All stats

29%Possession71%

0.91Expected goals (xG)1.43
6Total shots22
5Shots on target3
2Corners10
4Yellow cards1

Live commentary

It's all over: Blackburn win against Middlesbrough 2-1. In numbers: possession Blackburn 29%, Middlesbrough 71%; shots 6 (5 on target) to 22 (3 on target)
90'
Booking: Will Lankshear (Middlesbrough) for a foul
80'
Substitution, Blackburn: T. Cantwell replaces H. Carter
77'
Double substitution, Middlesbrough: Neto Borges makes way for M. Arfsten, S. Berhalter on for L. Castledine
76'
Booking: Todd Cantwell (Blackburn) for a foul
69'
Double substitution, Blackburn: S. Morsy comes on for A. Forshaw, A. Gudjohnsen on for Y. Ohashi
61'
Double substitution, Blackburn: J. Fevrier makes way for O. Afolayan, R. Morishita on for M. Jorgensen
60'
Double substitution, Middlesbrough: R. McGree makes way for M. Peart-Harris, J. Sarmiento on for K. Joseph
58'
Yellow card: Sam Morsy (Blackburn) for a foul
55'
Goal! T. Cantwell puts Blackburn ahead after trailing (2-1)
49'
Goal! A. Gudjohnsen pulls Blackburn level (1-1), assisted by H. Pickering
We're back under way for the second half
Half-time: Middlesbrough lead 1-0
45+2'
Booking: Sean McLoughlin (Blackburn) for a foul
24'
Yellow card: Oladapo Afolayan (Blackburn) for a foul
12'
Goal! J. Sarmiento gives Middlesbrough the lead (1-0), assisted by M. Whittaker
Kick-off! Blackburn vs Middlesbrough is under way. Blackburn line up in a 4-2-3-1, Middlesbrough in a 4-4-2

Lineups

BlackburnCoach: Tony MowbrayAverage rating 6.94-2-3-1

Blackburn – Starting XI (4-2-3-1)

22B. TothGoalkeeper – Player of the match, Rating 8.2
2R. AlebiosuDefender – Rating 6.3
6T. AtchesonDefender – Rating 6.9
15S. McLoughlinDefender – Rating 6.9, Yellow card 45+2'
3H. PickeringDefender – Rating 7.2, Assist
8S. MorsyMidfielder – Rating 6.6, Yellow card 58', On 69'
31K. MontgomeryMidfielder – Rating 6.9
25R. MorishitaMidfielder – Rating 6.3, On 61'
10T. CantwellMidfielder – Captain, Rating 7.7, Goal 55', Yellow card 76', On 80'
21O. AfolayanMidfielder – Rating 6.3, Yellow card 24', On 61'
9A. GudjohnsenForward – Rating 7.9, Goal 49', On 69'