Liverpool footballers have won the FA Cup after 16 years. After a 0-0 draw, Chelsea beat Wembley in a 6:5 penalty shootout, with defender Kostas Tsimikas deciding the seventh set. The “Reds” won the second trophy of the season, beating the same opponent in February after a penalty shootout in the League Cup final.
Liverpool lost top scorer Salah after half an hour, who had to be substituted through injury. But the big opportunities came only after the change of camp. First, Alonso’s direct kick ended at an angle and when normal playing time ended, Díaz and Robertson hit the stick on the other side.
The goal was not extended, so the fourth duel of the season ended in a draw. As in the Coupe de la Ligue, Chelsea manager Tuchel did not replace goalkeeper Mendy as Arrizabalag’s substitute before the shootout. Another man stood in the Liverpool goal, this time instead Kelleher was caught up in the fight for the number one Alisson trophy.
He was the first to miss Azpilicueta in the second set, whose attempt ended in a post, so he could decide Mané at 4-3. The Senegalese gunner successfully completed the shootout in the Africa Cup of Nations final and World Cup promotion qualifier against Egypt, but he failed to mature on his team colleague National Mendy. It was therefore fatal that Mount failed in the seventh series, after which Tsimikas was not mistaken.
The ‘Blues’ have lost their third FA Cup final in a row, not enough for Leicester last year and Arsenal last year. Liverpool won both FA Cups in one season for the first time since 2000/01, when Czech duo Vladimír Šmicer and Patrik Berger featured. Jürgen Klopp completed his collection of ‘island’ trophies and as the second manager in history after the legendary Alex Ferguson, he won the FA Cup, League Cup, Premier League and Champions League with one club.
FA Cup Final in London:
Chelsea – Liverpool 0:0 in extra time, 5:6 in pen.
