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Van Dijk grabs Carabao Cup for Liverpool with 119 min goal vs Chelsea
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The final at Wembley looked destined to finish with penalties, but the Dutch defender decided the game

Liverpool secured their victory in the 2024 Carabao Cup with a thrilling 1-0 win over Chelsea at Wembley, thanks to a dramatic match-winner from Reds captain Virgil van Dijk in extra time.

This triumph marked Liverpool’s record-breaking 10th Carabao Cup title, showcasing their dominance in the competition over the years. The win was particularly sweet as it came against the same opponent they defeated in the final two years prior.

The match kicked off with Liverpool enjoying the better of the opening exchanges, with Luis Diaz’s header and Alex Mac Allister’s long-range shot testing Chelsea goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic. However, Petrovic’s quick reactions denied Liverpool an early lead.

As the game progressed, both teams had their share of opportunities, with Conor Bradley and Nicolas Jackson coming close for Liverpool, and Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez and Conor Gallagher threatening at the other end. Despite several chances, the first half ended goalless.

The second half saw even more drama, with offside rulings disallowing goals for both teams. Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo hit the woodwork, and Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher had a close call, but both goalkeepers, Caoimhin Kelleher and Djordje Petrovic, made crucial saves to keep the score level.

As the match headed to extra time, the intensity continued. Kelleher and Petrovic made crucial stops, and Chelsea’s scramble in stoppage time failed to break the deadlock. In the 118th minute, Virgil van Dijk emerged as the hero for Liverpool, glancing in the match-winner from Konstantinos Tsimikas’ corner, securing the 1-0 victory and sparking celebrations among the Liverpool fans at Wembley.