Newcastle United made history on March 16, 2025, by winning the Carabao Cup for the first time after defeating Liverpool 2-1 at Wembley Stadium. The final was anticipated by fans of both clubs, with Liverpool last lifting the trophy just the previous season.
For this monumental clash, Newcastle started with Pope, Livramento, Burn, Schar, Trippier, Tonali, Bruno, Joelinton, Barnes, Murphy, and Isak, opting for a 4-3-3 formation. Liverpool, on the other hand, fielded Kelleher, Quansah, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Salah, Diaz, and Jota, playing with the 4-2-3-1 setup.
The match began with Newcastle showing determination and energy, creating more opportunities than their opponents. It was Dan Burn who opened the scoring with a powerful header from a corner kick just before halftime. "Dan Burn bật cao đánh đầu từ phạt góc tung lưới Liverpool mở tỷ số," reported Sporting News, reflecting the momentum Newcastle established early on.
Moving to the second half, Newcastle continued pushing forward and found success again when Isak clinched the second goal with deft footwork within the box. "Isak ăn mừng với cú đệm lòng trong vòng cấm," noted Sporting News, capturing the excitement of the moment as the magpies celebrated their 2-0 lead.
Trailing by two goals, Liverpool intensified their attack, determined to turn the game around. Their efforts bore fruit five minutes deep in stoppage time when substitute Chiesa found the back of the net. "Chiesa mới chọc thủng lưới Nick Pope để gỡ 1 bàn," echoed Sporting News, signaling hope for Liverpool fans, but time was not on their side.
Despite Liverpool’s late surge, Newcastle held firm, clutching their historic victory and sealing their place as League Cup champions. For Newcastle, this win marked not only their first Carabao Cup title but also their re-emergence as contenders after years of challenges.
This victory is particularly momentous as it ends over half a century of trophy drought for Newcastle; their last major title was the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup back in 1969. Prior to this triumph, their only notable performances came with two runner-up finishes, once against Manchester City in 1976 and once against Manchester United in the 2022/23 season.
During the trophy presentation, players and fans alike celebrated as Newcastle's captain lifted the cup amid cheers. Fans at St James' Park erupted with joy, reaffirming their faith and resilience through challenging times.
The win also highlights the impressive resurgence of Newcastle under their current management and the growing investment within the club, which has rekindled hope among supporters for future victories. Following on from recent performance metrics, Newcastle looks poised to build on this success for years to come.
With this victory, Newcastle not only opens the door to potential future titles but also secures their place within the annals of English football history. Their victory is now part of the narrative with Liverpool, who remains the club with the most League Cup wins, totaling ten, including their last win against Chelsea last season.
For Liverpool, the loss serves as a wake-up call. They had shown promise and skill throughout the season but falteringly lost to Newcastle after previously defeating them 2-0 just weeks earlier. The last five matches between the teams displayed every facet of competitive football, with Liverpool having previously triumphed, drawn, and lost against Newcastle throughout the 2024/25 season.
The final score of 2-1 encapsulated the drama and excitement of Cup football, where every moment matters, and teams are pushed to their limits. While disappointment loomed for Liverpool, for Newcastle, hope reigns eternal as they celebrate this hard-fought trophy.