UEFA Super Cup Of Firsts Excites Pundits
- As Liverpool Beat Chelsea 5-4 on penalties
The 2019 UEFA Super Cup final recorded major firsts in the annual contest between the winner of the European Champions League and the Europa League victor.
Even before a ball was kicked inside the resplendent Beşiktaş Park, Istanbul, Turkey, this produced the first final involving two English clubsides as well as a platform for Stephanie Frappart to become the first female referee to take charge of a major men’s European contest.
Frappart, who also led last month’s Women’s World Cup final, was joined by assistant referees Manuela Nicolosi and Michelle O’Neill in officiating an entertaining contest in which both teams could conceivably have won before the penalties.
But at the end, it was goalkeeping hero, Adrián that saved the day for Champions League winners, Liverpool as they beat fellow English side, Chelsea 5-4 on penalties to cart home the trophy.
The victory saw Liverpool winning the Super Cup for a fourth time. Interestingly, it was a match in which the Reds came from behind to claim the trophy over their Premier League rivals.
But after spurning their 2-1 lead in extra time, Liverpool did condemn themselves to a situation where spot kicks became inevitable.
In the ensuing shootouts, Goalkeeper Adrián, who was only drafted into the first team due to an injury suffered by first-choice goal-tender, Alisson Becker, became the unlikely hero.
Parading an occasionally shaky defence line, Liverpool held on strongly for the first 45 minutes, while at their part, Chelsea made good use of the two wide men, Pedro and Pulisic, as well as Kante being magnificent to take a 1-0 lead into half time
Giroud’s precise finish opened the scoring, and Pulisic was unlucky to not make it two after being called narrowly offside by Video Assistant Referee (VAR).
Earlier in the game, Pedro also hit the post in the first half while Kovacic had a great opportunity that drew a fantastic save from Adrián.
The shaky defence was also back in full effect when the second half resumed for Frank Lampard men, and Liverpool bundled in an equalizer in the 48th minute. Thereafter, Chelsea’s keeper, Kepa Arrizabalaga was forced into a stunning double save to keep out Salah and Virgil van Dijk. These wonder saves kept things level, while at the other end, Mount’s goal was ruled out for offside.
Chelsea started poorly in extra-time as well, letting Mané score his second. However, they showed great resilience in drawing level and should have even gone ahead with another one through Tammy Abraham, who did enough to win the penalty or Mount, who was teed up by Abraham for a free shot from the top of the box.
In the lottery of the penalty shootouts, the first nine (9) kicks went in but things suddenly went awry as Tammy Abraham missed for the Blues to ensure the Reds prevailed on the night.
Though it is mission accomplished for Liverpool, it certainly showed a better performance overall by Chelsea compared to their Sunday’s showing at Old Trafford where they lost 0-4 to Manchester United.
Indeed, a two-all draw with the Champions of Europe and one of the two title favorites in the Premier League is something the Blues should not be too unhappy with.
