Middlesbrough and Blackburn Rovers Share Points in Goalless Boxing Day Encounter

27 December 2025 Football Match Reports

Introduction: Championship Clash Ends in Stalemate

The Boxing Day fixture between Middlesbrough and Blackburn Rovers concluded in a goalless draw at the Riverside Stadium, leaving both sides to reflect on missed opportunities in the Sky Bet Championship. The match took place on 26 December 2025 at 15:00 UTC and was part of the Championship. For Middlesbrough, the result represented a continuation of their festive struggles, whilst Blackburn extended their remarkable unbeaten run at the venue.

Match Details and Key Moments

Middlesbrough suffered their first defeat under new head coach Kim Hellberg as they lost 2-0 at Bristol City before Christmas, and they were eager to bounce back before a capacity crowd. The home side dominated possession but Morgan Whittaker fired a shot against the inside of the post in the first half, representing their closest opportunity. Blackburn should have opened the scoring 10 minutes before the interval when Yuki Ohashi pulled a poor effort wide after being sent clear.

The second half saw Blackburn come out brighter after the break, finding more gaps in midfield and controlling the flow. However, neither side could break the deadlock, with Rovers seeing the match out without a barrage of Middlesbrough pressure.

Implications and Looking Ahead

The draw has significant implications for both clubs’ seasons. Middlesbrough’s festive stutter continued and they lost ground on leaders Coventry in the promotion race. For Blackburn, they arrived unbeaten on Teesside since 2012, and this result maintained that impressive record. It was an impressive display away at second in the league for the visitors, who showed defensive resilience throughout.

The goalless encounter leaves Middlesbrough needing to rediscover their attacking fluency under Hellberg, whilst Blackburn will take confidence from frustrating a promotion-chasing side. Both teams face quick turnarounds with a congested festive fixture schedule ahead, making squad depth and recovery crucial in the coming weeks.