A good luck kiss! Blake Lively supports Ryan Reynolds as nervous Wrexham owner cheers on Welsh underdogs in mammoth FA Cup clash with Chelsea – with co-owner Rob McElhenney arriving on private jet for big match
Blake Lively gave Ryan Reynolds a good luck kiss as Hollywood’s A-list couple watched Wrexham’s blockbuster fifth-round FA Cup tie with Chelsea.
The 49-year-old Deadpool actress spotted her husband and Wrexham co-owner Rob Mac in the Hippodrome Ground stands as Liam Rosenior’s Premier League side came to town.
Reynolds could be seen giving Lively a kiss and making hand gestures before Wrexham took a 1-0 lead in north-east Wales; The Championship side were hoping to continue their incredible rise with a cup win against the Blues.
The actor then celebrated wildly with the club’s co-owner and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia Star Mac, 48, arrived on a private jet for the match and arrived after striker Sam Smith’s sensational opening goal.
Phil Parkinson’s men, who are vying for promotion in the Championship, are hoping to claim another Premier League scalp this season after defeating Nottingham Forest on penalties in the third round of the competition following a thrilling 3-3 draw.
Victory against Chelsea would be a turning point for the club, which is struggling to return to the English Football League under the management of Reynolds and Mac (formerly McElhenney) following the shocking takeover of players five years ago.
Blake Lively gives Ryan Reynolds a good luck kiss during Wrexham’s match against Chelsea
Reynolds watched at the Speedway with Lively and Wrexham co-owner Rob Mac
Reynolds and Mac celebrate wildly after Sam Smith opens the scoring for Wrexham
Although Wrexham have previously played Chelsea as part of their 2023 and 2024 pre-season tours to the United States, the FA Cup clash will be the first competitive match between the sides.
Reynolds discovered Wrexham’s draw with Chelsea was with Wolverine star Hugh Jackman and posted a video of his shocked reaction to the draw.
Reynolds said at the time: ‘Wait, wait, wait – are we at home against Chelsea?’ he asked. “That’s what you wanted,” Jackman replied, before the two men high-fived each other.
‘Yes, damn it!’ Reynolds said with a shocked expression, ‘what’s going on?’ he said. as the reality of the fixture becomes clear.
“Chelsea is at the Hippodrome,” Reynolds concluded, almost in disbelief.
Chelsea boss Rosenior wanted to make sure that his team would not be upset by saying the following before the match: ‘We know this will be a really difficult match.
It’s a club on the rise and there’s good energy and a good vibe around. It’s hard to play against that. We take the game really seriously. ‘For us this is an opportunity to win trophies.’
On the other hand, Parkinson, who has won three consecutive promotions at Wrexham since taking over in 2021, called on his players to use their “weak spirits”.
Reynolds was all smiles as he arrived in north-east Wales for the blockbuster fifth round tie
Wrexham co-owner Rob Mac was also seen arriving after taking to the field for Saturday’s FA Cup tie.
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia star greets staff after stepping off her private jet
‘It’s basically like any other game,’ he said. You have to look at the opponent, how they play, how they set up play from the back, their fundamental strengths in the game, and adapt accordingly from time to time.
‘Of course, you always focus on selecting our team, ensuring we play and perform to the best of our ability.
‘The spirit of fighting the underdogs must be there because we know we are facing a team that are World Club Champions and have a lot of talent.
‘But it’s all about us giving a really good account of ourselves and we’ll see where that takes us on the night.’
After beating Forest in January, Wrexham eliminated Championship side Ipswich Town to reach the fifth round for the first time since 1997.
Chelsea have also had to battle Championship rivals to get to this stage, comfortably defeating Hull City 4-0 in the fourth round last month.
The Blues have won eight FA Cups in their history. Meanwhile, Wrexham’s most famous night in the competition came in 1992 when they beat Arsenal 2-1 at the Racecourse Ground.
