World Snooker Championship 2026 recap – Wu Yize edges out Mark Allen in classic to reach final after dramatic finale
Updated 02/05/2026 at 23:59 GMT+1
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Halo World Snooker Championship 2026 live comments and streaming details. TNT Sports brings you frame-by-frame updates as Wu Yize and Mark Allen do battle for a spot in the final of the World Championship at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. Wu came out on top in a classic encounter to set up a meeting with Shaun Murphy in the final.
'Could not write a script like this' - Allen misses match-ball black and Wu pots it to stay alive
Video credit: TNT Sports
Wu fights back to break Allen's heart
Wu Yize is through to his maiden World Championship final, after producing an inspired fightback to stun Mark Allen in a deciding frame.
The Chinese recovered from 16-14 down and survived match ball, before prevailing 17-16 to set up a showdown with Shaun Murphy in the showpiece.
Wu had led 6-2 earlier in the semi-final, but trailed at the start of the final session, after Allen overturned an early deficit to pinch the opening frame on the black to lead 12-11.
However, the 22-year-old hit breaks of 126 and 74 as he won three of the next five frames to level things up at 14-14.
Allen, a two-time beaten semi-finalist, boosted his chances of making it third time lucky with a run of 65, before a 45 clearance saw him pinch frame 30 on the pink to lead by two for the first time in the match.
Yet the Pistol was made to pay for letting numerous opportunities go begging. He could only make 45 from his chance in frame 31, and Wu cleared with 67 to stay alive.
The Chinese also got out of jail in the penultimate frame after he missed the pink for 16-16. Allen clipped it in, but then rattled match-ball black in the jaws, enabling his opponent to force a decider.
Allen had the first chance and established a healthy advantage with 47. But after the Pistol played a poor safety, Wu produced a nerveless 71 clearance to inflict a heartbreaking defeat on the former UK and Masters champion.
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'One of the great matches ever played' - Wu beats Allen in epic
Video credit: TNT Sports
Spare a thought
He had his chances, but it wasn't to be...
That missed black off the spot will haunt him forever!
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Mark Allen
Image credit: Getty Images
The third Crucible finalist from mainland China
- Ding Junhui
- Zhao Xintong
- Wu Yize
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Wu Yize
Image credit: Getty Images
RESULT - Wu 17-16 Allen
Wu Yize is through to his first Crucible final, after edging out Mark Allen in an absolute epic!
He holds himself together magnificently, with a superb clearance of 71 to book his place in the showpiece.
Shaun Murphy awaits him in the best-of-35 extravaganza.
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Wu Yize
Image credit: Getty Images
World Championship LIVE - Wu 16-16 Allen (59-47)
Wu's nearly there. Red, colour, yellow and green is all he needs...
World Championship LIVE - Wu 16-16 Allen (23-47)
Another chance for Wu after a poor safety from Allen, but this is a great one...
World Championship LIVE - Wu 16-16 Allen (22-47)
The 22-year-old is very unfortunate. He tries to be positive by going into the pack from the black, but doesn't land on a red.
He subsequently plays a good safety, though...
World Championship LIVE - Wu 16-16 Allen (9-47)
Wu with a chance to counter after knocking in a mid-range red.
What can he make of this...?
World Championship LIVE - Wu 16-16 Allen (0-47)
The Pistol gets to 47, but is unlucky to run out of position when going into the cluster from the pink.
Nevertheless, he plays safe with a healthy lead under his belt.
World Championship LIVE - Wu 16-16 Allen (0-16)
Allen with the first chance of the final frame after Wu misses a thin cut to the yellow pocket.
This is a test of his character...
DECIDER - Wu 16-16 Allen
Allen clips in the pink and lands perfectly on the black, only to rattle it in the jaws!
Wu knocks it in to force a decider.
Incredible drama at the Theatre of Dreams!
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'Could not write a script like this' - Allen misses match-ball black and Wu pots it to stay alive
Video credit: TNT Sports
World Championship LIVE - Wu 15-16 Allen (72-62)
Wu's missed the pink to win the frame!
We go on...
World Championship LIVE - Wu 15-16 Allen (52-62)
But he's missed the final red!!!
It's at Allen's mercy, but he can't convert again!
Can Wu clear up and take us the distance...?
World Championship LIVE - Wu 15-16 Allen (52-54)
Wu unfortunate to get his safety wrong, and unwittingly knock in the black.
Another chance for Allen to clinch frame and match...
World Championship LIVE - Wu 15-16 Allen (52-37)
Allen moves within 15 points of Wu, but misses a red.
This is tense...
World Championship LIVE - Wu 15-16 Allen (52-10)
Wu misses a thin cut to the right corner, and goes in-off in the right centre.
Another opportunity for the Pistol to counter...
World Championship LIVE - Wu 15-16 Allen (52-6)
Allen has the chance to claw his way back after knocking in a long red.
However, he misses his next red while going into the cluster around the pink spot.
World Championship LIVE - Wu 15-16 Allen (52-0)
That opportunity goes begging for the Chinese, who misses a red with the rest when just a few pots from setting up a decider.
He appears to have got away with it, though...
World Championship LIVE - Wu 15-16 Allen (23-0)
Another chance for Wu, who gets in with a thunderous long opening red...
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'Just ridiculous' - Wu drains another brilliant long red off an Allen break
Video credit: TNT Sports
World Championship LIVE - Wu 15-16 Allen
The Chinese clears to the blue with 67 to keep his Championship alive.
That was seriously impressive bottle from the 22-year-old!
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'Mind-blowing stuff' - Wu completes dazzling pressure break to keep match alive
Video credit: TNT Sports
World Championship LIVE - Wu 14-16 Allen (40-45)
Wu's split the two remaining reds nicely, and the frame is potentially at his mercy...
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Wu Yize
Image credit: Getty Images
World Championship LIVE - Wu 14-16 Allen (0-45)
Maybe nerves crept in a little, but Allen can certainly be forgiven for that.
He slightly overcuts a red to the right center, allowing Wu an unexpected opportunity.
The pressure's on, though, for the Chinese, as every shot could be his last...
World Championship LIVE - Wu 14-16 Allen (0-25)
He's split the reds nicely from the blue. This is a decent opportunity, but can he hold himself together...?
World Championship LIVE - Wu 14-16 Allen (0-12)
First chance at frame and match for Allen...
World Championship LIVE - Wu 14-16 Allen
Allen steals!
A magnificent clearance of 45 sees the Pistol pinch frame 30 on the pink.
Leading by two frames for the first time in this match, he needs one more for a place in the final.
What can Wu do in response...?
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Wu Yize
Image credit: Getty Images
World Championship LIVE - Wu 14-15 Allen (58-22)
Another opportunity for the Pistol, who wins the safety battle before dropping in a long red deadweight.
What a steal this would potentially be...
World Championship LIVE - Wu 14-15 Allen (58-21)
Allen reduces the deficit, but can only make 21 before he misses a red to the right middle.
Four reds are left, with 37 points the difference...
World Championship LIVE - Wu 14-15 Allen (58-0)
It's not over yet... Wu misses a red to the left centre...
With 83 points still left on the table, Allen has the opportunity to reduce his arrears at the very least here...
World Championship LIVE - Wu 14-15 Allen (45-0)
Back comes Wu with a frame-winning opportunity of his own. A few more pots will do it...
World Championship LIVE - Wu 14-15 Allen
For the second time, Allen gets to 15 frames in a Crucible semi-final, also doing so against Mark Selby in 2023.
This time around, though, he does so while leading. The Pistol is two frames away from that maiden final appearance.
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Mark Allen
Image credit: Getty Images
World Championship LIVE - Wu 14-14 Allen (0-66)
A break of 65 puts Allen in control and on the brink of clinching the frame.
He then knocks in a long red to get to the snookers required stage, and is just seeing it out now.
World Championship LIVE - Wu 14-14 Allen (0-32)
The first chance of frame 29 goes the way of Allen, who is on a run of 32 and counting...
World Championship LIVE - Wu 14-14 Allen
Not quite century number nine, but a swift break of 72 is more than enough to draw the Chinese level once more.
It's now the best of five...
Watch Wu's eighth century of the Championship
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'Spellbinding stuff' - Wu wows with eighth century of tournament
Video credit: TNT Sports
Sadly, you always get one
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'Do you need some help?' - Referee offers help as phone refuses to turn off
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World Championship LIVE - Wu 13-14 Allen (7-0)
Wu knocks in another couple of brilliant long reds.
However, he cannons into the black in baulk when trying to go in and out off the blue.
Back to safety we go...
World Championship LIVE - Wu 13-14 Allen
Allen pots the balls required to regain his advantage, and move him within three frames of victory.
World Championship LIVE - Wu 13-13 Allen (23-57)
Allen rattles the penultimate red in the jaws of the left corner.
However, he's back at the table after Wu misses a thin cut to the opposite corner.
The frame is now at the Pistol's mercy...
World Championship LIVE - Wu 13-13 Allen (23-42)
The Pistol on the counter with a chance to go back in front.
He will require at least one of the last two reds, though, with both tight on the top rail...
Crucible finalists from Northern Ireland
- Dennis Taylor (1979, 1985)
- Alex Higgins (1980, 1982)
Mark Allen is also aiming to join an exclusive list...
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Mark Allen
Image credit: Getty Images
Crucible champions who had never previously won a match at the venue
- Terry Griffiths (1979)
- Joe Johnson (1986)
- Shaun Murphy (2005)
- Luca Brecel (2023)
Can Wu Yize join that list this year...?
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Wu Yize
Image credit: Getty Images
World Championship LIVE - Wu 13-13 Allen (23-0)
The Chinese has early control of the 27th frame, though the two players are now involved in a safety battle.
Off we go again
The players return to the arena, accompanied by referee Marcel Eckardt.
It's now effectively the best of seven frames for a place in the final.
How to watch and stream the World Championship
You can watch every day of the 2026 Halo World Snooker Championship live on TNT Sports.
It is available both live and on-demand on HBO Max.
For the latest information on which snooker events are on TNT Sports, click here.
Here is the TNT Sports schedule and TV guide.
World Championship LIVE - Wu 13-13 Allen
Allen did nothing wrong there. He broke off and left the cue-ball tight on the baulk cushion.
Yet he could only watch as Wu knocked in a long red and cleared with 126...
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Mark Allen
Image credit: Getty Images
World Championship LIVE - Wu 12-13 Allen
A loose safety from Wu, who catches the knuckle of the left centre when trying to get back to baulk, gives Allen the chance to counter.
The Pistol does just that with a superb clearance of 82 - doubling the final red to keep the break going - to edge his nose back in front.
World Championship LIVE - Wu 12-12 Allen (32-0)
The Chinese gets to 31, but doesn't split the pack as intended from potting a red to the right corner.
However, he's soon back at the table after crunching in a wonderful long red from a narrow angle...
World Championship LIVE - Wu 12-12 Allen (16-0)
Wu plays a superb double on the opening red, which is tight to the left cushion, sending it across and into the right centre.
That presents him with the first chance of frame 25...
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'Pretty brave shot to play' - Wu executes perfect cross-double
Video credit: TNT Sports
World Championship LIVE - Wu 12-12 Allen
Tidy up the frame he does to get back on level terms.
Seriously, try picking a winner from this match!
World Championship LIVE - Wu 11-12 Allen (74-0)
Allen misses that same red to the right middle, and Wu will tidy up the frame from here...
World Championship LIVE - Wu 11-12 Allen (73-0)
Though he fails to convert an initial run of 32, a further contribution of 41 gets Wu to the snookers required stage.
The Chinese misses a tricky red to the right centre, so Allen will play on for now...
World Championship LIVE - Wu 11-12 Allen
Allen pinches it on the black!
Wu leaves the blue over the left centre. The Pistol knocks it in and neatly develops the pink off the side rail.
There's then a clench of the fist from Allen after he knocks in the black to regain the lead.
Remember, he trailed 54-0 in this frame...
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'A crushing blow' - Allen pinches opening frame of session after Wu blunder
Video credit: TNT Sports
World Championship LIVE - Wu 11-11 Allen (62-48)
Wu knocks in the brown, but is way off with his attempt at a long blue, though it does go safe.
There is still plenty of mileage in this opening frame of the evening...
Crucible semi-finalists from mainland China
- Ding Junhui
- Si Jiahui
- Zhao Xintong
- Wu Yize
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Wu Yize
Image credit: Getty Images
World Championship LIVE - Wu 11-11 Allen (58-48)
The Chinese knocks in the green, but isn't on the brown, so a safety battle on the final four colours ensues...
World Championship LIVE - Wu 11-11 Allen (55-48)
The Pistol has another opportunity, but has work to do as he comes down to the colours.
Finishing awkwardly, he attempts a tricky green, but overcuts it, handing Wu another chance.
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'That is magnificent' - Allen pots blue and develops red in stunning fashion
Video credit: TNT Sports
World Championship LIVE - Wu 11-11 Allen (54-28)
Wu with the first scoring opportunity of the evening, but breaks down on 54 after missing a pink to the right centre.
Allen looks to respond, but can only make 28 when he catches a baulk colour while going around the houses.
'It was frightening'
Watch Joe Johnson reflect on that Crucible triumph from 1986.
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'It was frightening' - Johnson reflects on 1986 final win
Video credit: TNT Sports
Here we go
The players are introduced into the arena, where the atmosphere is electric once again.
They shake hands and the last session of this semi-final is under way.
Joe Johnson honoured
The 1986 World champion and TNT Sports commentator is welcomed onto the Crucible floor by MC Rob Walker.
It is done to mark the 40th anniversary of his fairytale triumph in Sheffield, where he defeated Steve Davis 18-12 in the final.
Welcome back
Hello everyone! It's great to have your company again for the conclusion to this year's semi-finals.
Who will play Shaun Murphy in the 2026 final at the Crucible?
We will soon find out as Wu Yize and Mark Allen resume their intriguing last-four battle, which is finely poised at 11-11.
World Championship LIVE - Allen 11-11 Wu
Play gets underway at 19:00 UK time.
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An hour without a pot: Re-live remarkable longest Crucible frame between Wu and Allen
Video credit: TNT Sports
How to watch and stream the World Championship
You can watch every day of the 2026 Halo World Snooker Championship live on TNT Sports.
It is available both live and on-demand on HBO Max.
For the latest information on which snooker events are on TNT Sports, click here.
Here is the TNT Sports schedule and TV guide.
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Add TNT Sports as a preferred source here to enjoy more content like this.
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