Liverpool beat Chelsea on penalties for the second time this season to win the FA Cup and keep their quadruple hopes alive.
After 90 minutes and extra-time failed to separate to two sides, Alisson was the hero for Liverpool in the shootout, saving from Mason Mount in sudden death to secure a 6-5 victory for the Reds.
It sparked scenes of delirium in the red end of Wembley
Sadio Mane missed a fifth penalty which could’ve won it for Liverpool, but Konstantinos Tsimikas spared his blushes in sudden death after Mount’s miss.
It means the Blues become the first team to lose three consecutive FA Cup finals, while Mount has lost six straight times in showdowns at Wembley.
Liverpool can still claim a historic quadruple if they overtake Manchester City in the Premier League and beat Real Madrid in the Champions League final, having beaten Chelsea in identical fashion in the Carabao Cup earlier this term.
A match of many chances somehow ended goalless after 90 minutes, just like the end-to-end Carabao Cup final between the two sides.
Luis Diaz spurned a number of glorious opportunities for Liverpool and Andy Robertson hit the post from a yard out, but Chelsea also had their share of opportunities.
Marcos Alonso hit the bar and Christian Pulisic failed to convert several decent openings – before an electrifying match lost some of its pace in extra-time.
Cesar Azpilicueta missed Chelsea’s second penalty in the shootout, while Marcos Alonso, Reece James, Ross Barkley and Jorginho successfully converted.
Edouard Mendy got a hand on two Liverpool penalties, but James Milner, Thiago, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Roberto Firmino all found the net.
Mane spurned the chance to win it when Senegal teammate Mendy saved his penalty, then Hakim Ziyech and Diogo Jota traded brilliant spot-kicks in sudden death.
Alisson produced a brilliant save from Mount to give substitute Tsimikas the chance to become an unlikely hero – and he took it by sending Chelsea’s goalkeeper the wrong way.
talkSPORT
