Heartbroken Blake Lively cuts a downcast figure – and consoles Wrexham star – after Ryan Reynolds’ team were knocked out of FA Cup following thrilling clash with Premier League side Chelsea

Blake Lively experienced the ecstasy and agony of football on Saturday night as her husband’s Wrexham team crashed out of the FA Cup following a blockbuster clash against Chelsea.

The It Ends With Us star, 38, supported her Deadpool actor husband, 49, as he cheered on Championship outfit Wrexham as they attempted to secure a shock upset against Premier League opposition at the club’s Racecourse Ground. 

Reynolds could be seen giving Lively a kiss while she wrapped her arms around his waist as they watched from a private box, with Wrexham taking the lead twice to give the underdogs hope. 

Wrexham lost in the end, going down 4-2 after extra-time, but they did their town and their celebrity owners proud.  

Reynolds wildly celebrated with It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia star Mac – who flew in on a private jet for the match – after Sam Smith‘s sensational opening goal.

They took the lead again through Callum Doyle after 79 minutes to spark pandemonium inside the 13,500-seater stadium, before Josh Acheampong levelled the scoring minutes later.

A red card for the hosts left them with an uphill battle and goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Joao Pedro wrapped up victory for the Blues. 

After the game, Reynolds and Lively went down to the pitch to congratulate the players on a well-fought game. Blake was seen giving Wrexham striker Smith a warm embrace while she carried a soft plush teddy bear.  

The 38-year-old, who shares four kids with husband Reynolds, looked a world away from the stony-faced figure she has cut outside courthouses in America in recent times.

Lively, who has been spotted supporting the Red Dragons with Reynolds on numerous occasions, has alleged It Ends With Us co-star Baldoni sexually harassed, defamed and smeared her – with a trial due to take place in May. Baldoni, who denies the claims, has already had his own $400million defamation lawsuit against Lively dismissed by a judge. 

Lively is by Reynolds’ side as Wrexham hope to claim a second Premier League scalp this season, after already having beaten Nottingham Forest on penalties in the third round of the competition.

Victory over Chelsea would represent a watershed moment for the club, who have battled their way back into the English Football League under the stewardship of Reynolds and Mac (formerly McElhenney), following the actors’ shock takeover five years ago. 

While Wrexham have previously played Chelsea as part of their pre-season tours of the United States in 2023 and 2024, the FA Cup clash marks the first competitive fixture between the sides.

Reynolds discovered Wrexham had been drawn against the Blues while he was with Wolverine actor Hugh Jackman, and posted a video of his shocked reaction when the draw was made.

‘Wait, wait, wait – we’re at home to Chelsea?,’ Reynolds asked at the time. ‘That’s what you wanted,’ Jackman responded before the two men high-fived.

‘Yes, f***!’ Reynolds said, adding a shocked ‘what the f***?’ as the reality of the fixture sunk in.

‘Chelsea at the Racecourse,’ Reynolds finished in near-disbelief.

Chelsea boss Rosenior has been keen to ensure his side are not on the end of an upset, saying pre-match: ‘We know it’s going to be a really, really difficult game. 

‘It’s a club that’s on the rise, and there’s a good energy and a good vibe around. It’s hard to play against that. We take the game really seriously. For us, it’s an opportunity to win a trophy.’ 

On the other hand, Parkinson – who has won three successive promotions with Wrexham since taking the post in 2021 – has urged his players to harness their ‘underdog spirit’.

‘It’s like any game, really,’ he said. ‘You’ve got to look at the opposition, how they play, how they build from the back, their key strengths in the game, and adapt at times towards that.

‘Of course, you’re always concentrating on picking our team and getting us to play and to function to the best of our ability.

‘That underdog fighting spirit has got to be there because we know we’re up against a team that are Club World Champions and they’ve got a lot of talent.

‘However, 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 knocked out fellow Championship side Ipswich Town to find themselves in fifth round for the first time since 1997.

Chelsea also had to contend with Championship opposition to make it to this stage, comfortably beating 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.

Via: Daily Mail