### West Ham's FA Cup Triumph: Castellanos' Header Ends Winless Streak West Ham United secured a much-needed victory in the FA Cup third round against Queens Park Rangers (QPR) with a final score of 2-1 after extra time. The match, held at the London Stadium, marked a significant moment for West Ham, as it ended a frustrating 10-match winless streak for the team under manager Nuno Espírito Santo. The victory was highlighted by a dramatic 98th-minute header from new signing Valentin Castellanos, who scored the decisive goal after Crysencio Summerville had initially put West Ham ahead. QPR's Richard Kone equalized, briefly threatening an upset before Castellanos' late heroics sealed the win for the Premier League side [https://www.outlookindia.com/sports/football/west-ham-vs-queens-park-rangers-match-report-fa-cup-2025-26-third-round][https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/west-ham-x-qpr-highlights-145200590.html]. ### Breakdown of the Match Events and Key Players 1. **Match Overview**: - West Ham faced QPR in the FA Cup third round on January 11, 2026. - The match ended 2-1 in favor of West Ham after extra time. 2. **Key Moments**: - **Crysencio Summerville** opened the scoring for West Ham, giving them a 1-0 lead. - **Richard Kone** equalized for QPR, leveling the match at 1-1. - **Valentin Castellanos** scored the winning goal in the 98th minute, marking his first goal for West Ham. 3. **Managerial Context**: - This victory was crucial for Nuno Espírito Santo, who had been under pressure due to the team's poor performance in recent matches. 4. **Fan Reactions**: - The match drew a significant crowd, with around 9,000 QPR fans present, who celebrated Kone's equalizer before the late heartbreak [https://www.skysports.com/football/west-ham-united-vs-queens-park-rangers/report/550881][https://www.breakingnews.ie/sport/taty-castellanos-extra-time-winner-saves-west-ham-from-fa-cup-upset-against-qpr-1851237.html]. ### Match Statistics and Performance Insights - **Goals**: - West Ham: Crysencio Summerville (1), Valentin Castellanos (1) - QPR: Richard Kone (1) - **Match Duration**: The match extended into extra time, highlighting the competitive nature of the encounter. - **Significance**: This win not only advances West Ham to the fourth round of the FA Cup but also serves as a morale booster for the team, potentially turning their season around [https://www.westlondonsport.com/qpr/qpr-lose-in-extra-time-to-west-ham][https://www.beinsports.com/en-us/soccer/fa-cup/articles/west-ham-2-1-queens-park-rangers-castellanos-header-ends-nunos-winless-streak-2026-01-11]. ### Conclusion: A Turning Point for West Ham In summary, West Ham's 2-1 victory over QPR in the FA Cup third round represents a pivotal moment for the club. The match showcased the resilience of the team, with key contributions from new signing Valentin Castellanos, who not only scored the winning goal but also provided a much-needed lift to the squad. This victory could signal a turning point for Nuno Espírito Santo's management, as the team looks to build on this success moving forward. 1. **Victory Significance**: Ends a 10-match winless streak. 2. **Key Players**: Castellanos and Summerville shine. 3. **Next Steps**: West Ham advances to the fourth round, aiming for further success in the tournament [https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jan/11/west-ham-qpr-fa-cup-match-report][https://www.westmeathexaminer.ie/2026/01/11/taty-castellanos-extra-time-winner-saves-west-ham-from-fa-cup-upset-against-qpr].