Hull City secured their long-awaited return to the Premier League in the most dramatic fashion possible, defeating Middlesbrough in the Championship play-off final without needing any off-field decisions to determine their fate.

The decisive moment arrived deep into stoppage time, with the clock showing the fifth added minute at Wembley. A dangerous low cross from the left flank should have been routine for Middlesbrough goalkeeper Solomon Brynn, but the young stopper endured a nightmare moment under pressure.

Instead of clearing the danger, Brynn pushed the ball straight into the path of Oliver McBurnie, who reacted instantly and calmly fired into an empty net to spark wild celebrations among the Hull City supporters. The dramatic late winner sealed promotion and sent the Tigers back to the top flight of English football.

2025-26, England - Championship

Hull City - Middlesbrough 1:0 (0:0)
Goals: McBurnie, 90 (1:0)

Hull City: Pandur; Coyle L. (McNair, 90); Giles (Hirakawa, 76); Hughes Ch.; Ajayi; Egan; Crooks; Slater (Lundstram, 90); Belloumi (Drameh C., 76); Millar L. (Gelhardt, 63); McBurnie
Substitution: Gelhardt (from 63); Drameh C. (from 76); Hirakawa (from 76); McNair (from 90); Lundstram (from 90)
Bench: Phillips D.; Hadžiahmetović; Dowell; Koumas
Yellow Cards: McBurnie 90

Middlesbrough: Brynn; Targett (Ibeh C., 90); Fry D.; Ayling; Malanda; McGree (Hansen S., 76); Browne Al. (Sarmiento J., 90); Morris; Brittain; Whittaker M.; Strelec (Hackney, 70)
Substitution: Hackney (from 70); Hansen S. (from 76); Sarmiento J. (from 90); Ibeh C. (from 90)
Bench: Wildsmith; Edmundson; Silvera; Castledine; Gilbert