Goals and Highlights: Norwich 5-1 Walsall in 2025-26 FA Cup

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The fourth official has announced four minutes of added time.

Then, there is a shot stopped under the crossbar at ground level. Errol Mundle-Smith of Norwich City. The play ended with a right-footed shot from the left side of the box.

Norwich throws everything forward in search of another goal, while Walsall defends with everything it has. It seems that the home team felt the pressure of the late goal and is looking to end the game with another score.

Walsall offside. Evan Weir attempted a through ball, but Courtney Clarke was in an offside position.

Norwich City's Ben Chrisene took a right-footed shot from the left side of the box, very close to the left post, but it went slightly wide.

Jamille Matt misses the target for Walsall. The move ends with a header from the center of the box, but the ball goes wide to the right of the goal.

Substitution for Walsall: Jamille Matt comes on to replace Daniel Kanu.

Substitution for Walsall: Alex Pattison comes on to replace Jamie Jellis.

There are two changes for the home team.

Substitution for Norwich City: Jakov Medic comes on to replace Ruairi McConville.

Substitution for Norwich City: Oscar Schwartau comes on to replace Jovon Makama.

Norwich appeals for a possible handball inside the opposition's box, but the referee does not consider it a foul.

The home side wins several corners in quick succession, but fails to capitalize on them. Walsall can only watch as they are toyed with.

Mathias Kvistgaarden is brought down in the penalty box and looks to be in a bit of pain.

He's fine to continue after  a bit of treatment and the referee waves away an penalty claims from the  Canaries.

The match is currently suspended due to an incident. Goalkeeper Myles Roberts has fallen to the ground and requires medical attention, while the rest of the Walsall players are heading over to speak with coach Mathew Sadler.

Norwich City has had almost 80% possession so far. But they haven't had a single shot on goal and have only had two touches in the opposition's box.

It hasn't been an exciting game so far in the first half.

There have been no notable chances for either team at Carrow Road so far. Norwich sends a good ball into the box, but Walsall goalkeeper Myles Roberts catches it easily. It's early days, and neither team is doing any damage.

Walsall FC – Starting lineup (4-2-3-1)

1 Myles  Roberts
2 Connor  Barrett
3 Evan  Weir
4 Aden  Flint
5 Rico  Browne
6 Brandon Comley
7 Jamie Jellis
8 Charlie Lakin
9 Ryan Finnigan
10 Jamille Matt
11 Albert Adomah

Norwich City – Starting lineup (3-5-2)

1 Vladan Kovačević
2 Kellen Fisher
3 Benjamin Chrisene
4 Ruairí McConville
5 Harry Darling
6 Kenny McLean
7 Jack Stacey
8 Jacob Wright
9 Pelle Mattsson
10 Joshua Makama
11 Josh Sargent

Norwich City vs Walsall FC is not just another third-round clash: it is a match with narrative, urgency, and the potential for stories that will remain etched in the memories of fans of both teams. In the FA Cup, magic can appear when you least expect it, and today, at Carrow Road, that magic could have a name.

Carrow Road is ready to rock. Local fans, tired of ups and downs and longing for a reason to smile, will fill the stands with chants that push their team forward from the opening whistle. The visiting ultras, although fewer in number, will also cheer from the back corner, motivated by the expectation of a historic upset. The FA Cup is not just a soccer tournament: it is a stage where modest dreams clash with greater ambitions, where every set piece and every counterattack can ignite unexpected passions.

From the dressing room to the stands, the pre-match narrative points to a thrilling encounter. For Norwich, advancing to the fourth round would mean not only temporary relief from their league worries, but also a confidence boost that could be reflected in their play in January and February. For Walsall, a positive result here would be one of those memorable stories that are told season after season in the FA Cup: the small visitor that challenged greatness, the occasion that becomes legend even if it lasts only 90 minutes.

The story of this matchup in this edition of the FA Cup has all the ingredients of an exciting game. Norwich, with their status as favorites and the pressure of a fan base clamoring for results and stability, will seek to impose their technical quality and structured play; Walsall, for their part, will try to defy expectations by relying on collective work, a compact defensive order, and quick strikes in attack, taking advantage of any disconnect in the home side's defense.

Facing them is Walsall FC, the proud representative of League Two, which has earned its place here after beating rivals from outside the professional league and establishing itself as one of the most consistent teams in its division—currently at the top of League Two with aspirations of promotion. Although their league is two tiers below Norwich, the FA Cup has always been a tournament ripe for surprises: underdog victories, physical challenges, and duels where tactics and faith compete head-to-head. Walsall comes in with the momentum of a solid season and the ability to find spaces in quick transitions, a weapon that can be exploited if Norwich takes its foot off the gas too much.

Norwich, who entered the FA Cup as favorites, come into this matchup after a season of ups and downs. Currently in the Championship, the Canaries are embroiled in a battle for survival in England's second division, occupying dangerous positions in the table and facing the constant threat of relegation. This reality has sometimes led coach Philippe Clement to prioritize boosting his squad's morale over managing resources in the cup. Despite this, since his arrival, the team has shown signs of improvement, with several victories at Carrow Road that have begun to rebuild the confidence of fans who know that the FA Cup can be a balm even in the midst of a difficult campaign.

There is something very special about the FA Cup when an English Championship team hosts a lower-division opponent on a cold January afternoon: the air at Carrow Road is first charged with tension and then with excitement. Norwich City, a historic club whose roar is seeking to echo once again among the elite, opens fire against Walsall FC, a League Two club that has surprised with its ambition and competitive pace, in a third-round tie that sums up the drama, magic, and unpredictability of the world's oldest cup competition.

Welcome to our live coverage of Norwich City vs. Walsall FC in the third round of the 2025-26 FA Cup. We begin with the pre-match coverage of today's English cup fixture  Norwich City  vs.  Walsall FC.