Follow live coverage as Cambridge United face Charlton Athletic in the EFL Cup.
Newcastle are the reigning champions of the competition following a stunning win over Liverpool at Wembley last term, with Alexander Isak proving decisive to end the club's 70-year domestic trophy drought.
While all 72 clubs from the football league enter from the first round, Premier League teams enter at the second or third round stage, the latter for clubs competing in Europe this season.
The final is slated for 22 March 2026 this term, at Wembley as usual, marking the first chance for teams to earn both a trophy and a place in next season’s Uefa competitions. Follow updates from today’s game in the live blog below.
Cambridge United FC 2 - 0 Charlton Athletic FC
Cambridge United vs Charlton Athletic
20:09Corner, Charlton Athletic. Conceded by Elias Kachunga.
Cambridge United vs Charlton Athletic
20:08Harvey Knibbs (Charlton Athletic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Cambridge United vs Charlton Athletic
20:05Foul by Joe Rankin-Costello (Charlton Athletic).
Cambridge United vs Charlton Athletic
20:04Isaac Olaofe (Charlton Athletic) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Cambridge United vs Charlton Athletic
20:03Foul by Isaac Olaofe (Charlton Athletic).
Cambridge United vs Charlton Athletic
20:03Goal! Cambridge United 2, Charlton Athletic 0. Kylian Kouassi (Cambridge United) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Zak Bradshaw.
Cambridge United vs Charlton Athletic
20:03Macaulay Gillesphey (Charlton Athletic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Cambridge United vs Charlton Athletic
20:03Offside, Cambridge United. Kylian Kouassi is caught offside.
Cambridge United vs Charlton Athletic
20:02Foul by Oliver Hobden (Charlton Athletic).
Cambridge United vs Charlton Athletic
20:02Corner, Charlton Athletic. Conceded by Zeno Rossi.
Cambridge United vs Charlton Athletic
20:02Attempt blocked. Charlie Kelman (Charlton Athletic) left footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Isaac Olaofe.
Cambridge United vs Charlton Athletic
19:55Foul by Josh Laqeretabua (Charlton Athletic).
Cambridge United vs Charlton Athletic
19:45Goal! Cambridge United 1, Charlton Athletic 0. James Brophy (Cambridge United) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Elias Kachunga.
Cambridge United vs Charlton Athletic
19:42Joe Rankin-Costello (Charlton Athletic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Cambridge United vs Charlton Athletic
19:41Attempt missed. Isaac Olaofe (Charlton Athletic) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Ibrahim Fullah with a cross.
Cambridge United vs Charlton Athletic
19:58Attempt blocked. Ibrahim Fullah (Charlton Athletic) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Harvey Knibbs.
Cambridge United vs Charlton Athletic
19:33Attempt blocked. Ben Knight (Cambridge United) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by James Brophy.
Cambridge United vs Charlton Athletic
19:32Attempt blocked. James Brophy (Cambridge United) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Ben Knight.
Cambridge United vs Charlton Athletic
19:31First Half begins.
Cambridge United vs Charlton Athletic
19:00Lineups are announced and players are warming up.
Cambridge United vs Charlton Athletic
17:30Follow live football coverage with The Independent today.
We will have all the latest scores, goals and updates plus analysis and reaction throughout the game here. This season we're bringing you live coverage from every match in the Premier League, WSL, Championship, Carabao Cup and FA Cup from the third round onwards - as well as the best from the Champions League and beyond in Europe.
