Barcelona can clinch La Liga against Real Madrid on Sunday. Arsenal travel to West Ham. Celtic and Rangers meet with Hearts watching from the top. Your weekend is scheduled, measured out in coffee spoons.
Middlesbrough did everything but score. Boro dominated the first half so completely that Southampton didn't register a single shot or a touch in the box before halftime.
The home side ended the half with 76 percent possession, 17 shots, 4 on target, 1.39 xG. The Saints had 0 touches in the box, 0.00 xG, but the defense held.
Then the second half turned.
Southampton grew into the game, hit the woodwork through Harwood-Bellis, and nearly nicked it through Edozie late on.
Everything to play for at St Mary's on Tuesday.
Almost certainly, Southampton will walk away from the game with a moral victory. They held off an upstart Boro squad in the first half that laid siege to their goal, and ended with a 1.82 xG. The game will be decided Tuesday at St Mary's.
Luke Ayling and Tommy Conway reflect on Middlesbrough's first leg 0-0 draw against Southampton 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/gGwXrOUM4x
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 9, 2026
Nearly there.
Samuel Edozie had a breakaway shot, which he put on the ground, but it missed the goal. Saints' fortunes have reversed drastically since the first half.
Harwood-Bellis heads the ball into the woodwork after a free kick. Just a few inches too high.
The Saints have had some chances in the last few minutes. Shea Charles, who was just subbed on, had a shot from a set-piece that went high. Boro could be demoralized if they lose this match, after the effort they've put in.
For the effort they have put in, Boro will not be happy if they walk away from this game without a win. Certainly because the next time these teams play it's on Southampton's grounds.
Larin tries a backpost header after a cross and it goes wide left. Southampton's best sequence of the game so far.
Boro and Saints are back underway at Riverside.
Middlesbrough absolutely laid siege to Southampton's end of the field during the first half. Boro 76-percent possession, 17 shots, 4 on target, 1.39 xG. Southampton 0 shots, 0 touches in the box, 0.00 xG.
Middlesbrough have pushed the entire half at this point. They have 13 total shots, and 33 touches in the Saints box. Their xG is 1.28, but still a 0-0 tie.
Tommy Conway hits the post on a breakaway shot. He tried to thread the needle and it bounces off the post.
Middlesbrough come SO close to taking the lead 🤏
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 9, 2026
Tommy Conway hits the post for the home side and the game remains goalless 🔴 pic.twitter.com/yQlCOs44RK
Tommy Conway received a pass across the middle of the goal, stabs at it, but a Southampton defender blocks it and sends it wide. Boro corner kick.
Middlesbrough have notched 72-percent possession through the first 25 minutes of this game. Saints haven't had a shot.
McGree and Whittaker have both had close chances that went wide of the Southampton goal. Boro continues to build.
Middlesbrough have three shots and 60-percent possession so far, with six touches in the Southampton box. Good start for Boro.
Both teams have been burning calories early in this one, a high workrate for everyone. Boro have dominated possession early on.
We're underway as Middlesbrough host Southampton in the first leg of the Championship playoff semi-final.
Saints are in their canary kit, yellow and blue, while Boro don the all red.
McGree starting over Browne for Boro, and Larin getting the nod over Stewart for Saints.
Unbelievable. pic.twitter.com/YrhObcaVWK
— Middlesbrough FC (@Boro) May 9, 2026
Follow along for live updates as Middlesbrough host Southampton.
Middlesbrough (3-4-2-1): Brynn; Malanda, Fry, Ayling; Targett, Morris, McGree, Brittain; Conway, Whittaker; Strelec.
Southampton (4-2-3-1): Peretz; Manning, Wood, Harwood-Bellis, Bree; Downes, Jander; Fellows, Azaz, Scienza; Larin.
Middlesbrough: drew 2-2 at Wrexham, beat Watford 5-1, beat Sheffield Wednesday 1-0, drew 2-2 at Ipswich, lost 0-1 to Portsmouth. Three wins in their last ten league games.
Southampton: beat Preston 3-1 away, drew 2-2 with Ipswich, lost narrowly to Manchester City in the FA Cup, drew 2-2 with Bristol City, beat Swansea 2-1. Seven wins in their last ten. Haven't kept a clean sheet in five.
The second leg is Tuesday, May 12 at St Mary's. The final is at Wembley on May 23.
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