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.

Middlesbrough vs Southampton Final Score: Goalless Draw, 0-0

93' - Middlesbrough 0, Southampton 0. Full time.

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.

90' - Three minutes stoppage.

Nearly there.

86' - Edozie's shot goes wide left

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.

84' - Saints nearly score

Harwood-Bellis heads the ball into the woodwork after a free kick. Just a few inches too high.

72' - Southampton pushing

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.

60' - Sixty minutes in and goalless

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.

50' - Saints get first shot

Larin tries a backpost header after a cross and it goes wide left. Southampton's best sequence of the game so far.

46' - Second half begins

Boro and Saints are back underway at Riverside.

45' - Halftime: Boro 0, Saints 0

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.

40' - Boro are relentless

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.

34' - Conway misses

Tommy Conway hits the post on a breakaway shot. He tried to thread the needle and it bounces off the post.

31' - Unlucky for Conway

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.

25' - Boro have barely let Southampton touch the ball

Middlesbrough have notched 72-percent possession through the first 25 minutes of this game. Saints haven't had a shot.

17' - Best chances so far

McGree and Whittaker have both had close chances that went wide of the Southampton goal. Boro continues to build.

11' - Middlesbrough pushing

Middlesbrough have three shots and 60-percent possession so far, with six touches in the Southampton box. Good start for Boro.

4' - High-energy start

Both teams have been burning calories early in this one, a high workrate for everyone. Boro have dominated possession early on.

1' - Underway at Riverside

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.

0' - Late lineup changes

McGree starting over Browne for Boro, and Larin getting the nod over Stewart for Saints.

0' - The Smoggies are out in full force

0' - Middlesbrough 0, Southampton 0

Follow along for live updates as Middlesbrough host Southampton.

Middlesbrough Lineup

Middlesbrough (3-4-2-1): Brynn; Malanda, Fry, Ayling; Targett, Morris, McGree, Brittain; Conway, Whittaker; Strelec.

Southampton Lineup

Southampton (4-2-3-1): Peretz; Manning, Wood, Harwood-Bellis, Bree; Downes, Jander; Fellows, Azaz, Scienza; Larin.

Form Coming In

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.

How to Watch Middlesbrough vs Southampton in the USA

  • Middlesbrough vs Southampton is available in the United States on CBS Sports Network and Paramount+. The match kicks off at 6:30 a.m. ET on Saturday, May 9 at the Riverside Stadium.
  • In the United Kingdom, the match is available on Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Main Event.

The second leg is Tuesday, May 12 at St Mary's. The final is at Wembley on May 23.

EFL Championship Playoff Semi-Finals

  • Friday, May 8 - Hull City 0, Millwall 0 (FT)
  • Saturday, May 9 - Middlesbrough vs Southampton — 6:30 a.m. ET
  • Monday, May 11 - Millwall vs Hull City — 2:00 p.m. ET
  • Tuesday, May 12 - Southampton vs Middlesbrough — 2:00 p.m. ET

Middlesbrough Squad 2026

  • 31 - Sol Brynn - GK
  • 32 - Joe Wildsmith - GK
  • 2 - Charlie Brittain - DEF
  • 6 - Dael Fry - DEF
  • 12 - Luke Ayling - DEF
  • 25 - George Edmundson - DEF
  • 29 - Anfernee Malanda - DEF
  • 3 - Matt Targett - DEF
  • 8 - Riley McGree - MID
  • 14 - Alex Gilbert - MID
  • 16 - Alan Browne - MID
  • 18 - Aidan Morris - MID
  • 22 - Samuel Silvera - MID
  • 23 - Leo Castledine - MID
  • 9 - Tommy Conway - FWD
  • 11 - Morgan Whittaker - FWD
  • 13 - David Strelec - FWD
  • 20 - Kaly Sène - FWD
  • 27 - Sontje Hansen - FWD
  • 45 - Jeremy Sarmiento - FWD

Southampton Squad 2026

  • 41 - Daniel Peretz - GK
  • 25 - George Long - GK
  • 6 - Taylor Harwood-Bellis - DEF
  • 14 - James Bree - DEF
  • 15 - Nathan Wood - DEF
  • 17 - Joshua Quarshie - DEF
  • 3 - Ryan Manning - DEF
  • 34 - Welington - DEF
  • 48 - Jed Bragg - DEF
  • 10 - Finn Azaz - MID
  • 18 - Tyler Fellows - MID
  • 20 - Karl Jander - MID
  • 24 - Shea Charles - MID
  • 28 - Oriol Romeu - MID
  • 13 - Adam Scienza - MID
  • 9 - Cyle Larin - FWD
  • 11 - Ross Stewart - FWD
  • 19 - Cameron Archer - FWD
  • 23 - Samuel Edozie - FWD
  • 49 - Nicholas Oyekunle - FWD

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