West Bromwich Albion kicked off their pre-season preparations in emphatic fashion on July 18, 2026, cruising to a 4-1 victory over League Two side Bromley in an International Club Friendly. The Baggies, who play in the EFL Championship, showcased their attacking depth and fitness levels against a spirited but outclassed Bromley side.

Match Overview

Played in front of a healthy crowd at the Hawthorns, the match served as an early test for both managers. West Brom's head coach used the fixture to give valuable minutes to a mix of senior players and emerging academy talents. Bromley, preparing for the new League Two season, defended resolutely for stretches but ultimately could not contain the Championship side's quality.

Key Moments

• First-half dominance: West Brom took the lead inside 20 minutes when a well-worked corner was headed home by a central defender. The home side doubled their advantage before the break after a swift counter-attack finished with a clinical low strike.
• Bromley fight back: The visitors pulled one back early in the second half through a long-range effort that caught the West Brom goalkeeper off guard, briefly threatening a comeback.
• Clinical finish: The Baggies restored their two-goal cushion almost immediately, capitalizing on a defensive mix-up. A fourth goal in the closing stages—a powerful drive from the edge of the box—sealed the impressive 4-1 scoreline.

Standout Players

West Brom’s attacking trio looked sharp, with the right winger causing constant problems for the Bromley full-backs. New signing in midfield also impressed, dictating the tempo and providing the assist for the third goal. For Bromley, their experienced striker continued to show predatory instincts with his well-taken consolation strike.

Pre-Season Context

This was West Brom’s first official friendly of the summer, and the performance will give supporters optimism ahead of the new Championship campaign. Bromley, meanwhile, gained useful experience against higher-level opposition as they fine-tune their own preparations for League Two. Both teams will now move on to further friendly fixtures in the coming days.