Arsenal advanced to the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup following an intense penalty shootout against Crystal Palace, securing an 8-7 victory after a 1-1 draw. The match, held on December 23, 2025, at the Emirates Stadium, featured a dramatic conclusion that saw Maxence Lacroix's own goal and subsequent missed penalty play crucial roles.
The game remained deadlocked at 1-1 after 90 minutes, with Maxence Lacroix inadvertently giving Arsenal the lead in the 80th minute when he deflected Jurrien Timber's shot into the net. However, Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi equalized in the fifth minute of stoppage time, sending the match into extra time and ultimately a penalty shootout.
The penalty shootout was a tense affair, with both teams converting their first 15 penalties flawlessly. The pressure was on Maxence Lacroix, who stepped up to take the decisive kick. Unfortunately for Crystal Palace, Kepa Arrizabalaga, in only his fourth match for Arsenal, saved Lacroix's penalty, securing Arsenal's victory.
Arsenal will now face Chelsea in the two-legged Carabao Cup semi-finals, set to begin on January 13, 2026. The Gunners' journey to the semi-finals was marked by Walter Benitez's impressive performance in goal for Crystal Palace, who made seven crucial saves to keep the score close throughout the match.
The dramatic conclusion to the match highlighted the intense competition and high stakes of the Carabao Cup, with both teams giving their all in pursuit of a place in the semi-finals. Arsenal's victory was a testament to their resilience and ability to perform under pressure, setting the stage for an exciting semi-final showdown against Chelsea.
Comments (0)
Leave a Comment
Be the first to comment on this article!