santiago bueno volley sends Wolves past Grimsby in FA Cup mudbath
Wolves scraped through a gritty FA Cup tie at Blundell Park as santiago bueno's second-half finish settled a mud-soaked contest and sent the Premier League side into the fifth round. In a game dominated by sodden conditions and few clear-cut chances, Bueno turned Joao Gomes' cross beyond goalkeeper Jackson Smith to claim the only shot on target for the visitors.
Muddy pitch defines a disjointed contest
Persistent rainfall left large areas of the Blundell Park surface waterlogged and one penalty area in particular a quagmire well before kick-off. The white paint of the pitch markings soon blurred into the mud, and both teams struggled to string passes together as the ball bounced unpredictably off the sodden turf. Grimsby started brightly, with Charles Vernam forcing the visitors into action inside the opening minute, and Wolves did not fashion a notable chance until Tolu Arokodare's effort sailed over in the 17th minute.
The conditions curtailed rhythm for either side. A contentious challenge on Adam Armstrong drew only a yellow card for the Grimsby defender Cameron McJannet and stirred frustration among the visitors, but Wolves still came closest before the break when Joao Gomes' free-kick crashed back off the crossbar. Grimsby, by contrast, produced few openings in the first half despite their early promise, and Tyrell Warren's headed attempt drifted off target ahead of the interval.
Bueno's decisive moment and tense finish
Wolves' breakthrough arrived just after the hour mark. Joao Gomes swung a delivery into the box and santiago bueno got on the end of it, diverting the cross with his thigh past Jackson Smith. The strike was the only ball on target from the visitors all afternoon but proved enough on a pitch that made quality attacking play nearly impossible.
Grimsby responded with energy, pressing for an equaliser as the clock wound down. Andy Cook headed narrowly wide when presented with a late opportunity, and the hosts did not register their first shot on target until the 90th minute. Wolves were forced to defend deep in the closing stages; Bueno also produced a crucial late block to deny extra-time and preserve the narrow advantage. The result secures a place in Monday's fifth-round draw on February 16, 2026 (ET).
Context for both clubs
For Wolves, the victory offers a rare slice of solace amid a difficult league campaign. The club sit deep in the relegation zone and have struggled for goals and consistency, but progression in the cup provides Rob Edwards' squad with a short-term boost and the chance to salvage some morale from an otherwise challenging season. Grimsby, meanwhile, can take credit for a resolute defensive display on a surface that arguably levelled the contest; the League Two side remain competitive at home and have enjoyed memorable cup nights this season.
Ultimately, the tie was won and lost in the conditions. A game that promised potential giant-killing drama was reduced to a battle against the elements, and when the decisive moment arrived it came a single, improvised touch from santiago bueno. Wolves advance and will await their next opponent in the FA Cup draw, while Grimsby can reflect on a performance that, despite defeat, underlined their spirit and made the visitors work for every yard.
