Liverpool beat Chelsea 6-5 and won the FA Cup for the first time in 16 years
Liverpool's hopes of securing a quadruple are still in the cards as they win the FA Cup for the first time in 16 years by nailing a sudden-death penalty shootout against Chelsea
Liverpool lifts FA CupThey scored six goals against Chelsea's five as striker Mason Mount missed a crucial spot-kick and are lifting the FA Cup for the eighth time at Wembley. The match finished goalless after 90 minutes, and a shootout took place in extra time. Substitute Kostas Tsimikas secured the winning spot-kick for the Reds after Mason Mount's shot couldn't get past Alisson Becker.
Liverpool win their second trophy keeping hopes up for a quadruple
The match marked the first FA Cup final between two German managers, and Jurgen Klopp became the first German boss to clinch the trophy. Liverpool has won two trophies this season, the Carabao Cup final and the FA Cup final, both against Chelsea, both on penalties. Chelsea became the first English team to play a Cup final under government sanction and the first to lose in the FA Cup Final three years in succession. Their new owner Todd Boehly is expected to revert Chelsea's collapse after Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich's exit.
Liverpool's journey till the end of the match was replete with setbacks. The crowd witnessed the unexpected departure of fan favourite Mohamed Salah in the 33rd minute, followed by Virgil van Dijk's exit due to injuries. Chelsea's goal-scoring machine Romelu Lukaku additionally walked off and was replaced by Hakim Ziyech, which increased the pressure on the Blues. However, both teams held their ground and refused to concede. After 120 goalless minutes, the match headed to the penalties for the second time between these teams in a cup final this season.
Tsimikas closes the match as the Reds now aim to win the remaining two events.
Marcus Alonso made the first goal during the shootout, followed by Reece James, Barkley, Jorginho, and Ziyech. A disappointing miss by Cesar Azpilicueta put Chelsea behind until Edouard Mendy saved Sadio Mane's penalty. However, Mason Mount's unexpected blunder cost Chelsea the match and substitute Tsimikas finally closed the game with the sixth penalty for Liverpool.
Other scorers of the evening include James Milner, Thiago, Firmino, Alexander-Arnold, and Diogo Jota. Liverpool will now attempt to overhaul Manchester City at the top of the Premier League and win the Champions League final against Real Madrid in Paris a fortnight from now.