Middlesbrough began their season with a 1-0 Carabao Cup first-round win over Wrexham, a first-time volley from debutant Will Lankshear in the 60th minute settling a tie that had chances at both ends. The £10m summer signing from Tottenham swivelled to hook Leo Castledine's header, itself flicked on from Jeremy Sarmiento's cross, into the far corner, having already gone close with an effort curled just over the bar early in the second half.
Middlesbrough should have led inside seven minutes, Adilson Malanda's close-range effort off Berhalter's cross kept out by a superb point-blank save from Danny Ward, only for Danny Imray to waste a decent chance at the other end when he failed to make a proper connection with Callum Doyle's cross. Sam Smith also went close for Wrexham, shooting into the legs of Sol Brynn after being played through by Nathan Broadhead, and Middlesbrough almost doubled their own lead with three minutes left when Morgan Whittaker's low strike came back off the post.
Middlesbrough also handed debuts to two United States internationals alongside Lankshear: midfielder Sebastian Berhalter, who arrived from the Vancouver Whitecaps the week before, and Max Arfsten.
"It's a joy to watch, and when you add the person he is to the quality he has as a footballer on the pitch, you have a very good striker," head coach Kim Hellberg said afterwards. "I'm happy to have him here."