Match report
QPR Defeats Watford 2-1 in Championship Clash
QPR
2–1
FT
Watford
Apr 3, 2026
In a closely contested Championship match, QPR secured a crucial 2-1 victory over Watford. The game was marked by early and late goals, with R. Kolli and P. Smyth scoring for QPR, while I. Louza managed a consolation goal for Watford in the dying moments of the game. Both teams exchanged yellow cards throughout, but QPR's early lead proved decisive in their fight for a higher league position.
Key Facts
- • QPR's R. Kolli scored the opening goal in the 26th minute, assisted by P. Smyth.
- • P. Smyth added a second for QPR in the 63rd minute.
- • I. Louza scored for Watford in the 85th minute, reducing the deficit.
- • Watford's E. Bove and P. Ekwah received yellow cards, as did QPR's R. Kolli and Jimmy Dunne.
Lineups
QPR
Formation: 4-4-2
Starting XI
- 13 Joe Walsh (G)
- 27 Amadou Salif Mbengue (D)
- 3 Jimmy Dunne (D)
- 37 Ronnie Edwards (D)
- 18 Rhys Norrington-Davies (D)
- 20 Harvey Vale (M)
- 21 Kieran Morgan (M)
- 40 Jonathan Varane (M)
- 11 Paul Smyth (M)
- 22 Richard Kone (F)
- 26 Rayan Kolli (F)
Substitutes
- 23 Daniel Bennie
- 14 Koki Saito
- 17 Kwame Poku
- 6 Jake Clarke-Salter
- 5 Steve Cook
- 2 Kealey Adamson
- 15 Isaac Hayden
- 28 Esquerdinha
- 29 Ben Hamer
Watford
Formation: 4-4-2
Starting XI
- 1 Egil Selvik (G)
- 4 Kévin Keben Biakolo (D)
- 6 Matthew Pollock (D)
- 3 Saba Goglichidze (D)
- 29 Jeremy Petris (D)
- 66 Nestory Irankunda (M)
- 15 Edoardo Bove (M)
- 17 Pierre Ekwah (M)
- 8 Giorgi Chakvetadze (M)
- 9 Luca Kjerrumgaard (F)
- 10 Imrân Louza (F)
Substitutes
- 20 Mamadou Doumbia
- 23 Nampalys Mendy
- 53 Amin Nabizada
- 34 Kwadwo Baah
- 18 Vivaldo
- 7 Thomas Ince
- 27 Formose Mendy
- 50 Joshua Mullins
- 12 Nathan Baxter
Timeline
-
23' Watford Card · Yellow CardE. Bove -
26' QPR Goal · Normal GoalR. Kolli · Assist: P. Smyth -
29' QPR Card · Yellow CardR. Kolli -
30' QPR Card · Yellow CardJimmy Dunne -
46' QPR subst · Substitution 1Off: R. Kolli · On: D. Bennie -
49' Watford Card · Yellow CardP. Ekwah -
57' Watford subst · Substitution 1Off: E. Bove · On: A. Nabizada -
57' Watford subst · Substitution 2Off: N. Irankunda · On: M. Doumbia -
57' Watford subst · Substitution 3Off: P. Ekwah · On: N. Mendy -
61' QPR Card · Yellow CardP. Smyth -
62' Watford Card · Yellow CardS. Goglichidze -
63' QPR Goal · Normal GoalP. Smyth -
72' QPR subst · Substitution 2Off: P. Smyth · On: K. Saito -
73' Watford subst · Substitution 4Off: G. Chakvetadze · On: Kwadwo Baah -
79' QPR subst · Substitution 3Off: H. Vale · On: K. Poku -
84' QPR Card · Yellow CardR. Kone -
85' Watford subst · Substitution 5Off: S. Goglichidze · On: V. Semedo -
85' Watford Goal · Normal GoalI. Louza -
87' QPR Card · Yellow CardAmadou Salif Mbengue -
90'+1 Watford Card · Yellow CardI. Louza
Match Stats
| Stat | QPR | Watford |
|---|---|---|
| Fouls | 20 | 15 |
| Pass Accuracy | 75% | 77% |
| Offsides | 1 | 2 |
| Red Cards | — | — |
| Total Shots | 15 | 7 |
| Corners | 2 | 3 |
| Total Passes | 335 | 391 |
| Yellow Cards | 6 | 4 |
| Blocked Shots | 3 | 2 |
| Shots on Target | 8 | 3 |
| xG | 2.40 | 0.34 |
| Shots off Target | 4 | 2 |
| Possession | 46% | 54% |
| Goals Prevented | 0 | 0 |
| Accurate Passes | 252 | 303 |
| Shots Inside Box | 11 | 1 |
| Saves | 2 | 6 |
| Shots Outside Box | 4 | 6 |
Key Match Notes
- ▸ QPR's early lead through R. Kolli's goal in the 26th minute set the tone for the match.
- ▸ P. Smyth's second goal for QPR in the 63rd minute secured a two-goal advantage, despite Watford's late effort to reduce the deficit.