28 February 2022
Jeremiah Harrison
Sports Reporter
Liverpool has lifted Carabao League Cup after defeating London side Chelsea in a penalty shootout at Wembley Stadium last night.
It was a battle of two coaches from Germany, Thomas Tuchel for Chelsea against Jürgen Klopp for Liverpool.
Entertaining match it was.
Having battled for 120 minutes with no goal from either side the match headed for the dreaded penalties with Liverpool winning by 11-10.
The two sides were at their best in the first half with almost equal goal attempts. By the half time neither side had failed to break the deadlock
The second half began with more fireworks as 5 minutes into the game Mason Mount missed a clear one on one chance against the Liverpool goalkeeper, his shot hit the woodwork.
Chelsea was dominating with ball possession in the early minutes of the second half but the scoreboard remained goalless.
Video Assistant Referee (VAR) played a pivotal role during the match, in the 67th minute the system denied Joel Matip’s goal for Liverpool instead an offside was called. Three more goals were denied for the Blues during the match.
Some changes were made by both coaches, Sadio Mane rested as he was replaced by Diogo Jota.
After 90 minutes of play the scoreboard was still blank, the match was to be decided on penalties.
Both goalkeepers failed to save penalties as players from both teams were brilliant in their shootout. The whole first 11 players from both teams took a penalty shootout.
Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arizabalaga missed the last penalty for Chelsea as his penalty went over the bar after his counterpart Liverpool goaltender found the back of the net in the eleventh shootout handing Liverpool a win after two hours of play.
Meanwhile in Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League it was a dark day for all giants, CAPS United was humiliated by Manica Diamonds 6-2, Highlanders 0-1 Bulawayo City, Dynamos 0-1 Chicken Inn. Herentals claimed a victory after defeating Hwahwa by 2 nil.