Southampton will face Hull City for a place in the Premier League as Shea Charles' 116th-minute winner earned a 2-1 win over Middlesbrough in their play-off semi-final second leg.

In a feisty encounter amid the backdrop of Southampton's charge for allegedly spying on their opponents ahead of the goalless first leg, the Saints left it late to get the job done. 

Middlesbrough needed just five minutes to take the lead at St. Mary's Stadium through Riley McGree, who brilliantly swept Callum Brittain's inviting cross from the right-hand side into the opposite corner of Daniel Peretz's net. 

Southampton should have hit back moments later, but Ross Stewart was unable to turn Ryan Manning's delivery home, before Brittain saw his shot flicked towards goal by Dael Fry but saved by Peretz at the other end in the 31st minute. 

But Tonda Eckert's side restored parity in first-half stoppage time when Manning's volley from James Bree's free-kick was saved by Sol Brynn, only for Stewart to rise high and nod in the rebound. 

The Saints looked the livelier after the break as Manning's effort took a deflection off Luke Ayling and into the side-netting, though the Middlesbrough defender was fortunate not to give away a penalty soon after when he tangled with Leo Scienza. 

Cyle Larin came closest to finding a winner in normal time as his strike stung the palms of Brynn, with the visiting goalkeeper then called into action in extra-time to repel Samuel Edozie's shot as Taylor Harwood-Bellis miscued the follow-up. 

And just when everyone thought penalties would decide who would reach the final on May 23, Charles collected the ball on the right and delivered a dangerous left-footed cross into the area that evaded everyone and nestled into the back of the net to seal the win. 

Data Debrief: Saints go marching on

In a brilliant battle between the two sides in the second leg, Southampton reached the play-off final for just the second time, and the first time since 2024, when they earned promotion to the Premier League with a 1-0 win over Leeds United after also finishing that campaign in fourth place. 

And they will be hoping that will be a good omen at Wembley later this month, which will be their second appearance at the national stadium this season following their FA Cup semi-final defeat to Manchester City. 

But in contrast to the first leg, where Middlesbrough were wasteful with their chances, Southampton were the opposite here. They finished with an expected goals (xG) total of 1.99 from their 20 shots to Middlesbrough's tally of 1 from one fewer attempt.