Hull City beat Middlesbrough 1-0 in the Championship play-off final at Wembley Stadium to secure promotion to the Premier League after a nine-year absence. Oli McBurnie scored the only goal in the fifth minute of stoppage time.
The goal came from substitute Yu Hirakawa, who skipped past full back Callum Brittain before sending in a cross. Middlesbrough goalkeeper Sol Brynn dived out in a bid to intercept it but could only push the ball down into the six-yard box, where McBurnie swept it into an unguarded net. McBurnie, the first to react, sprinted to the corner flag and tore off his shirt in celebration as jubilant teammates chased after him.
It was Hull's third 1-0 win in their third Championship play-off final, and McBurnie's name goes into club history alongside Dean Windass and Mo Diame. The goal was his 19th of the season. Middlesbrough had never won on this ground in six attempts, and they will continue their rivalry with Southampton in the Championship next season.
The win came on a sweltering Bank Holiday weekend and was a personal response for McBurnie after he was left out of Steve Clarke's Scotland squad for the World Cup.
Ilicali's emotional reaction
Hull owner Acun Ilicali had vowed to fight any Wembley defeat through the courts, following the scandal that saw Southampton expelled from the play-offs less than a week before the final. Ilicali, a 56-year-old Turkish media mogul who bought Hull in 2022, dissolved into tears at the final whistle. Middlesbrough owner Steve Gibson gave him a hug in defeat.
One year ago, Hull only survived in the Championship on goal difference and were hit with a transfer embargo for late payments on fees. That embargo was reduced from three transfer windows to two on appeal, meaning Hull will be able to reinforce their squad as they prepare for the Premier League. Hull's promotion is worth an estimated £200million to the club.
Hull head coach Sergej Jakirovic, a former Bosnia Herzegovina centre half, built a pragmatic, counterattacking team that kept Hull in the promotion picture throughout the season despite being written off by many.
First-half chances
Middlesbrough dominated possession in the first half but rarely looked like scoring, while Hull created the three best chances. Lewie Coyle headed at the back post from a deep Liam Millar cross, but Brynn pushed the ball wide. Mohamed Belloumi tried a 30-yard curling effort with his left foot that did not curl enough, and McBurnie headed against the bar after winning a tussle with Adilson Malanda to reach a cross from the left by Ryan Giles.
Middlesbrough's best chance of the first half came in the third minute of first-half stoppage time, when Morgan Whittaker and David Strelec broke quickly. Strelec dragged his low drive a yard wide from just outside the penalty box.
Second-half stoppages
Middlesbrough came out with renewed purpose after the break. Straight from kick-off, Hull played the ball back to goalkeeper Ivor Pandur, and Strelec charged down the clearance, though it rebounded wide of the goal. Dael Fry then headed over from a corner before Hull settled again. The second half was interrupted repeatedly for treatment as tired players stretched between stoppages.
Hayden Hackney came on in the 70th minute to a big ovation from Middlesbrough fans. Boro manager Hellberg has called him the best player in the Championship, but Hackney had been out injured since mid-March and did not look fit, unable to influence the game.
Soon after Hackney's introduction, Riley McGree went down with what appeared to be a hamstring injury, a worrying moment for the Australia international less than a month before the World Cup. Substitute Sontje Hansen later forced a strong save from Pandur, but the goal was ruled out for offside.
Middlesbrough pushed forward looking for a winner but were caught out by Hirakawa's change of pace, Brynn's error and McBurnie's instinct. Hull City are on their way back to the Premier League after a nine-year absence.