Football News: Liverpool Crowned 2024 EFL Cup Champions with Last-Gasp Winner
Liverpool, (Reuters) – In a thrilling EFL Cup final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, Virgil van Dijk scored an incredible 118th-minute winner to give Liverpool a 1-0 victory over Chelsea and secure their 10th League Cup triumph.
The match, which was a tightly contested affair, looked destined for penalties until the towering Dutch defender rose highest to head home a corner from Kostas Tsimikas and spark wild celebrations among the Liverpool faithful.
Chelsea were aiming to win their sixth EFL Cup, but the Blues ultimately fell short, despite creating several clear-cut chances throughout the match. Liverpool’s injury problems, with the likes of Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez absent, made their triumph all the more impressive.
First Half Highlights
The first half was an end-to-end affair, with both sides creating opportunities, but the deadlock remained unbroken. Chelsea had a goal disallowed for offside, while Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo struck the post with a header.
Second Half Drama
The second half continued in a similar vein, with Caoimhin Kelleher making a series of superb saves to deny Chelsea’s attackers. The breakthrough appeared to come when Van Dijk headed the ball into the net, but the goal was disallowed after a lengthy VAR review.
Extra Time Tension and Dramatic Finish
As the match entered extra time, the tension continued to build, with both goalkeepers making crucial saves to keep the scores level. Just when it seemed that penalties were inevitable, Van Dijk stepped up to heroically head home the winner in the final moments, securing the trophy for Liverpool.
“This triumph continues Liverpool’s impressive record in the EFL Cup, and will no doubt delight their passionate supporters.”
The Merseyside club will now turn their attention to upcoming challenges, including the UEFA Champions League, the Premier League, and the 2024 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
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