
LONDON’S WEMBLEY STADIUM — Liverpool has won the FA Cup for the second time in three months, defeating Chelsea in a penalty shootout at the home of football to maintain their implausible quadruple dream.
Liverpool won 6-5 on penalties following a goalless 120 minutes on an afternoon marred by injuries to Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk. Following a superb stop by Alisson to deny Mason Mount, Konstantinos Tsimikas scored the winning penalty kick.
On the 150th anniversary of the world’s most popular domestic cup, a gloriously sunny day in north-west London saw a fun game befitting the occasion. Despite concluding goalless, it was exciting, with chances plentiful at both ends, just as in February.
In fact, despite their two cup final heartbreaks, Thomas Tuchel’s players have impressed in all four encounters between the Reds and the Blues this season, with all four games finishing in draws. It’s a narrative that has lasted longer than any of football’s major modern rivalries, one rooted in the two teams’ opposing ideals.
Liverpool came out firing in the first quarter-hour, owing in large part to Luis Diaz. After much speculation in the build-up to the game about which of Liverpool’s five fantastic strikers is now Jurgen Klopp’s greatest trio, the Colombian’s electrifying start — alongside Mohamed Salah and central Sadio Mane — swiftly proved the boss correct.
The Reds, on the other hand, were unable to take advantage of the early pressure. While Diaz was a threat on the left flank, opportunity after opportunity went begging. Chelsea, particularly Marcos Alonso and Christian Pulisic, were able to do the same later in the half and throughout the second period.
The Blues’ first mistake occurred when Cesar Azpilicueta hit the post with their second penalty. Mane, who was previously a penalty king for Senegal in this year’s Africa Cup of Nations final, had a chance to win it with his side’s fifth kick, but compatriot Edouard Mendy denied him.
Alisson, who had earlier suffered an injury scare while also making two spectacular saves throughout the game, delivered when it mattered, diving to his left to keep Mount’s effort out.
Late replacement Tsimikas, the unlikeliest of heroes, stepped up to seal Liverpool’s first FA Cup victory at Wembley in three decades, ensuring Klopp has now won all of the trophies available.
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