Unbelievable Wembley truth & what happened at full-time as Newcastle win Carabao Cup

One of the greatest football stories in recent memory has reached its pinnacle, and one of the longest waits in English football history has finally come to an end.

At Wembley Stadium, tears streamed down the faces of Newcastle United fans, but this time, they were tears of joy, not heartbreak.

After 70 long years, the Magpies are once again major trophy winners, with Eddie Howe and his players forever etched into the annals of the club’s storied history.

This was more than just a victory; it was a moment of redemption, a culmination of decades of longing, and a testament to the resilience of a club and its supporters.

Dan Burn, the towering defender from Blyth, has had quite the week. Fresh off his England call-up, Burn delivered what Eddie Howe described as one of the great football stories.

But even that paled in comparison to what unfolded at Wembley. Burn’s unstoppable header, Newcastle’s first goal at the iconic stadium in 25 years, set the tone for a performance that was as dominant as it was emotional. It was a goal that symbolized the rise of a club that has fought tirelessly to reclaim its place among England’s elite.

Alexander Isak, the Swedish striker who has been in scintillating form, added the second goal just nine minutes into the second half. His clinical finish was the decisive blow in a match that could have easily seen Newcastle score four or five.

Liverpool, despite their reputation as one of the world’s best teams, struggled to cope with the intensity and determination of Howe’s side.

A late goal from substitute Federico Chiesa in stoppage time threatened to spark a dramatic comeback, but it was too little, too late. Newcastle held firm, and when the final whistle blew, the celebrations began in earnest.

Eddie Howe, the architect of this remarkable turnaround, shook hands with Liverpool manager Arne Slot before charging onto the pitch to join his players. Jason Tindall, Howe’s trusted assistant, was already there, soaking in the moment.

This was a far cry from the heartbreak of two years ago, when Newcastle fell short in the final against Manchester United. This time, it was the Magpies who were celebrating, their fans roaring with delight as the players lifted the Carabao Cup.

To a man, Newcastle were exceptional. Joelinton, the Brazilian midfielder, was a force of nature, charging across the pitch and roaring with every tackle he won. Tino Livramento, deployed at left-back, put on a masterclass, keeping Liverpool’s talismanic forward Mo Salah quiet throughout the match.

Jacob Murphy, a constant threat down the right flank, provided the assist for Isak’s goal with a perfectly timed knock-down. Every player contributed, every player rose to the occasion.

In the build-up to the final, much was made of how this Newcastle team had learned from their previous heartbreak. There was no grand media day at the training ground, no distractions.

The squad stayed at a hotel outside London, focused solely on the task at hand. Howe’s message was clear: this was about business, about seizing the moment and making history. In his program notes, Howe wrote, “We approach today with only one thought in our minds—to compete and win.

Our quest to lift the Carabao Cup ended in disappointment at the final hurdle two years ago, but that experience can be positive in the fullness of time. We can use those memories and feelings to motivate us even more in our relentless pursuit of silverware.

Representing the hopes and dreams of our city and supporters everywhere is something we will never take for granted. It is a constant motivator for us, and we will be doing everything in our power to achieve something special together.”

And achieve something special they did. Liverpool, still reeling from their penalty shootout defeat in Europe just five days earlier, looked fatigued and out of ideas.

Arne Slot had warned his team about Newcastle’s intensity, saying, “They will go all in from the start like they were at St. James’ Park, letting us know they’re there.” He wasn’t wrong.

Newcastle started fast and positive, with Murphy and Harvey Barnes delivering dangerous crosses from the flanks. Murphy even tried his luck from distance, though his effort sailed over the bar.

Sandro Tonali came close with a shot from the edge of the box, while Ibrahima Konate had to clear a Murphy cross over his own bar to prevent Isak from pouncing.

The breakthrough came in first-half stoppage time. Kieran Trippier, who had briefly looked like he might need to be substituted due to a hamstring issue, delivered a perfect corner from the left.

Burn rose highest to power home a header that sent the Newcastle fans into raptures. It was a goal that capped off a first half in which Newcastle had smothered Liverpool, denying them even a single touch in the box until the third minute of added time.

The second half began as the first had ended, with Newcastle on the front foot. Six minutes after the restart, Isak thought he had doubled the lead, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.

But the Swede didn’t have to wait long for his moment. Livramento’s cross found Murphy, whose knock-down was emphatically finished by Isak. Suddenly, the dream felt real, possible, and probable.

Newcastle continued to push, and Isak came close to adding a third, only to be denied by Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher. Liverpool threw on attackers in a desperate attempt to salvage the game, but it was too late.

Chiesa’s stoppage-time goal was nothing more than a consolation. Newcastle held on, and when the final whistle blew, the celebrations began. The wait was over. The Magpies were finally major trophy winners once again.

This was more than just a victory; it was a statement. A statement of intent from a club that has risen from the ashes, a statement of belief from a manager who has transformed the team, and a statement of love from a city that has waited far too long for this moment. For Newcastle United, the future is bright, and the past—finally—is behind them.