Newcastle United has turned the page on 70 years of trophy drought by winning the Carabao Cup, triumphing 2-1 over Liverpool at Wembley Stadium on March 16, 2025. With this victory, the Magpies secured their first major trophy since 1955, sending the Geordie faithful home with jubilant hearts.
Midfielder Dan Burn and forward Alexander Isak registered the goals for Newcastle, marking this achievement as one for the history books. Liverpool, known for their formidable presence, found themselves outmatched by Eddie Howe's squad, who displayed relentless energy and skill throughout the match. Despite Federico Chiesa’s consolation goal deep in stoppage time, it was clear the day belonged to the Magpies.
After the match, captain Bruno Guimaraes reflected on the victory with heartfelt emotion. "It’s all for these fans. They deserve everything. When I first came here, I said I wanted to put my name in history. We can now say we are the champions again. This is one of the best days of my life," he told Sky Sports, tears welling up as he spoke. The Brazilian joined Newcastle in January 2022 and has quickly become a beloved figure, reinforcing the connection between the club and its passionate supporters.
The atmosphere at Wembley was electric, with approximately 32,000 Newcastle fans generating support reminiscent of times past. Guimaraes played a pivotal role on the pitch, orchestrated the midfield battle against Liverpool’s top talents, and led by example, claiming after the match, "We started together, and we’ll finish together." He expressed pride not only for himself but for the community he now calls home.
After the victory, the celebrations took off at Wembley Boxpark, where players partied late before boarding flights for international duty. Guimaraes and Brazilian teammate Joelinton reveled well past midnight, medals around their necks, before preparing for their 5,700-mile trip to Rio de Janeiro.
Echoing the special bond with fans, Guimaraes even donned a hat gifted to him by young supporter Megan Price during the celebration, honoring his promise to wear it during the cup final. This gesture encapsulated his commitment to the club and community, solidifying his place as both fan favorite and captain.
Manager Eddie Howe became the first English manager to win the League Cup or FA Cup since Harry Redknapp led Portsmouth to victory back in 2008. Howe’s tactical brilliance has reignited Newcastle’s fortunes, contributing to the club’s resurgence as contenders both domestically and potentially on the European stage.
With their Cup win, Newcastle are slated to participate in the UEFA Conference League next year, should their current league position not secure them higher competition. Guimaraes expressed his ambition for more success, saying, "A club like ours should never go so long without winning titles. May many more come. If this is a dream, never wake me up because I’m still in ecstasy." His commitment to write new chapters of success for Newcastle suggests high hopes for the future.
During the trophy celebration, Guimaraes and Kieran Trippier even paused to summon team-mate Jamaal Lascelles—who has not played for over a year due to injury—over to share the honors as he had served as captain through many turbulent times for the club. This act of camaraderie illustrated the unity within the team, eager to acknowledge its past whilst chasing future glories.
Guimaraes’s rise to prominence as Newcastle’s captain has long-term effects on the club’s narrative. His contract runs until 2028, and the whispers linking him to Manchester City have been quelled by his apparent commitment to the club. Newcastle has reportedly set the asking price for any potential suitors at around £100 million, reinforcing their position as they build around their core players.
The party atmosphere continued on the coach ride back, with the team still exuding the joy of victory before returning to Newcastle. Their celebrations will be remembered not just for the number of trophies but for the beautiful memories shared with fans. The legacy of Guimaraes, as he stated, will be remembered as he hopes to leave Newcastle with fans chanting his name alongside legends like Alan Shearer.
Bruno Guimaraes and his teammates lifted the Carabao Cup by not only breaking the club’s 70-year title wait, but also reinvigorated the hope and pride of Newcastle supporters everywhere. With the promise of more to come, Newcastle United has firmly stepped back onto the prestigious stage of English football.
