Millwall break home duck with Neghli free‑kick as they climb to 10th in the Championship

Match overview

At 19:00 UTC on September 22, 2025, the buzz inside The Den was palpable. Fans packed the stands – 14,586 strong – hoping the Lions could finally scrap the home‑loss streak that had dogged them since the season opened. Referee Joshua Smith blew the whistle, and within ten minutes the game took a decisive turn.

Camiel Neghli stepped up for a corner, curled it just outside the box, and curled it back in with a free‑kick that slipped past the Watford goalkeeper. It was Neghli’s first‑half strike, and it instantly became the talk of the stadium. No other goal came, and Millwall held on for a 1‑0 win – their first three points at The Den this term.

Watford tried to respond. Their forwards pressed high, and the midfielder’s long balls forced Millwall’s back line into a few uneasy moments. Yet every attempt met a well‑organised defense, and the Hornets could not force a second‑half equaliser. When the final whistle blew, the relief on Neil Harris’s face said it all – the team had finally broken their home duck.

What the result means

The three points do more than just add to the tally; they shift Millwall’s position to 10th in the Championship table, nudging them into the mid‑table safety zone. For a side that had struggled to find rhythm at home, the victory is a psychological lift. It proves that the squad can grind out results when the odds are stacked, a quality that long‑time supporters associate with the club’s identity.

From a tactical viewpoint, Harris’s decision to stick with a compact shape and rely on set‑pieces paid off. Neghli’s free‑kick was rehearsed in training, and the timing showed the coaching staff’s attention to detail. The win also highlights the importance of taking chances; a single moment of brilliance made the difference in a match that otherwise could have slipped away.

Watford, on the other hand, walk away with a setback they cannot afford at this stage. Their start to the campaign has been shaky, and dropping points at The Den adds pressure on manager head‑coach to recalibrate. The Hornets will need to tighten up defensively and find a more clinical edge in attack if they hope to climb from the lower half of the table.

Head‑to‑head history adds a layer of intrigue. In the 19 meetings between these two London clubs, Watford leads with nine wins, Millwall with six, and four draws. The last three clashes have all produced a winner – no stalemates – and this encounter continued that trend.

• Overall record: Watford 9‑6‑4 (W‑L‑D) against Millwall.
• Last three meetings: all decided, no draws.
• This win: Millwall’s first home victory of 2025‑26.
• Current standing: Millwall 10th, Watford lower mid‑table.

Looking ahead, the Lions will aim to build on this momentum. The next few fixtures will test whether this win is an isolated spark or the start of a longer run. For now, the fans can celebrate a hard‑won Millwall win and hope the team can turn that energy into more points.