McGree's world-class assist helps Boro win late
Australia international Riley McGree came of the bench to provide a sensational assist as Middlesbrough kicked off its 2026-2027 EFL Championship campaign with 2-1 stoppage-time victory over Lincoln City.
McGree missed the 2026 FIFA World Cup with the Socceroos after being injured in last season's EFL Championship play-off final, which also ended in heartbreak for Boro as Hull City won at Wembley to gain promotion to the Premier League.
But the South Australian vowed to come back stronger, and certainly did so on Sunday (AEST) as he crafted a winner for Boro in the 91st minute, jinking his way into space away from the Lincoln defence to provide a dazzling trivela assist for striker Will Lankshear, who netted his second of the match to seal the three points.
Former Boro player Adam Reach had put the Imps in front early with a superb strike in the 12th minute, the first for the club at this level.
The visitors led until half-time, but Lankshear, who scored on his Boro debut last week to knock Wrexham out of the Carabao Cup, was on hand again to tap in a leveller just after the hour.
McGree entered the contest before the restart after that goal and made his presence felt immediately, providing the perfect impact just as the clocked ticked past 90 minutes to ensure Boro avoided an opening day upset and took all three points.
"What a first day of the season, it had everything," Boro boss Kim Hellberg said after the final whistle.
"I just have to say thanks to the players and the support because everyone was excellent in terms of the second half. They just pushed and pushed and pushed, and at the end we won the game fairly and over the 90 minutes we were the better team, there isn't any question about that."
Lincoln boss Chris Cohen was understandably disappointed not to have got anything from the game, but praised his side's effort in a difficult first test in the Championship.
"There will be very few teams that will be able to come to Middlesbrough this season and perform the way we did in the fist half," he said.
"Everything we want to be as a football club, a football team, being aggressive, on the front foot with the ball and without the ball to really stress one of the best teams in the league. In the first half I thought we were sensational.
"Frustration would be the wrong word, but our lesson to be learned in the end is in the second half not to go safe, and to try to stay aggressive and have lots of moments where we can punch back.
"And we know if we can do that against Middlesbrough, then we can do it against anyone in the league."
