Match report

Watford Stuns Portsmouth with Late Equalizer, Championship Match Ends 1-1

Watford
Watford
1–1
FT
Portsmouth
Portsmouth
Jan 21, 2026

Watford put up a resilient fight against Portsmouth in their recent Championship clash on January 21st. The game started with Portsmouth taking an early lead through A. Segecic, but Watford's determination paid off as M. Doumbia found the back of the net to level the score late into the match. Both teams exhibited strong defensive efforts and displayed tenacity throughout the game.

Key Facts

  • • Final Score: Watford 1–1 Portsmouth.
  • • A. Segecic (Portsmouth) scored at minute 73 to open the scoring.
  • • M. Doumbia (Watford) equalized for his team at minute 79.
  • • J. Abankwah and T. Ince were late substitutes for Watford, while Ebou Adams replaced Z. Swanson in Portsmouth's lineup.

Lineups

Watford

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 1 E. Selvik (G)
  • 2 J. Ngakia (D)
  • 6 M. Pollock (D)
  • 25 J. Abankwah (D)
  • 16 M. Bola (D)
  • 5 H. Kyprianou (M)
  • 10 I. Louza (M)
  • 42 O. Maamma (M)
  • 8 G. Chakvetadze (M)
  • 7 T. Ince (M)
  • 9 L. Kjerrumgaard (F)

Substitutes

  • 12 N. Baxter
  • 4 K. Keben
  • 11 R. Vata
  • 18 V. Semedo
  • 20 M. Doumbia
  • 22 J. Morris
  • 34 K. Baah
  • 39 E. Kayembe
  • 66 N. Irankunda

Portsmouth

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 1 N. Schmid (G)
  • 24 T. Devlin (D)
  • 5 R. Poole (D)
  • 3 C. Ogilvie (D)
  • 22 Z. Swanson (D)
  • 21 A. Dozzell (M)
  • 38 E. Adams (M)
  • 10 A. Segecic (M)
  • 36 C. Chaplin (M)
  • 27 M. Alli (M)
  • 9 C. Bishop (F)

Substitutes

  • 26 J. Bursik
  • 2 J. Williams
  • 17 I. Bowat
  • 19 J. Farrell
  • 8 J. Swift
  • 16 L. Le Roux
  • 25 M. Kirk
  • 99 C. Agu
  • 46 O. Singerr

Timeline

  1. Portsmouth
    46' Portsmouth subst · Substitution 1
    Off: Z. Swanson · On: J. Williams
  2. Watford
    46' Watford subst · Substitution 2
    Off: G. Chakvetadze · On: M. Doumbia
  3. Portsmouth
    51' Portsmouth Card · Yellow Card
    A. Dozzell

    Foul

  4. Watford
    64' Watford subst · Substitution 3
    Off: O. Maamma · On: R. Vata
  5. Portsmouth
    73' Portsmouth Goal · Normal Goal
    A. Segecic · Assist: C. Chaplin
  6. Watford
    79' Watford Goal · Normal Goal
    M. Doumbia · Assist: L. Kjerrumgaard
  7. Watford
    81' Watford subst · Substitution 4
    Off: J. Abankwah · On: E. Kayembe
  8. Watford
    81' Watford subst · Substitution 5
    Off: T. Ince · On: N. Irankunda
  9. Portsmouth
    83' Portsmouth subst · Substitution 2
    Off: T. Devlin · On: J. Farrell
  10. Portsmouth
    90'+3 Portsmouth subst · Substitution 3
    Off: Ebou Adams · On: I. Bowat
  11. Portsmouth
    90'+3 Portsmouth subst · Substitution 5
    Off: A. Segecic · On: L. Le Roux
  12. Portsmouth
    90'+6 Portsmouth subst · Substitution 4
    Off: M. Alli · On: John Swift
  13. Watford
    90'+10 Watford Card · Yellow Card
    N. Irankunda

    Foul

Match Stats

Stat Watford Portsmouth
Fouls 9 12
Pass Accuracy 82% 77%
Offsides 1 2
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 15 10
Corners 8 7
Total Passes 449 359
Yellow Cards 1 1
Blocked Shots 8 5
Shots on Target 4 2
xG 0.80 0.64
Shots off Target 3 3
Possession 56% 44%
Goals Prevented 0 0
Accurate Passes 368 276
Shots Inside Box 6 5
Saves 1 3
Shots Outside Box 9 5

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Portsmouth took a significant lead at the 73rd minute when A. Segecic scored, breaking through Watford’s defense.
  • ▸ Watford showed strong resolve and equalized just six minutes later with M. Doumbia's goal, shifting momentum back in their favor.