New Delhi: Arsenal defeated Chelsea 1-0 to qualify for the League Cup final at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, February 3. Kai Havertz netted a late winning goal to seal the victory for the Gunners against their London rivals.
After a cagey first hour in the second leg of the semi-final, with each goalkeeper making just one save. Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior brought in Cole Palmer and Brazil forward Estevao to switch to a more attacking formation.
Alejandro Garnacho, who scored twice for Chelsea in Arsenal’s 3-2 win in the first leg at Stamford Bridge, also came off the bench as the visitors looked for a much-needed goal to level the aggregate score.
But Mikel Arteta’s side held out against the pressure before Havertz scored the only goal of the game to give the Gunners a 1-0 lead in a breakaway move in the injury time. In their first League Cup final since 2018, Arsenal will take on either Manchester City or Newcastle United, who play their semi-final second leg on Wednesday, with Pep Guardiola’s side leading by 2-0.
Rashford, Yamal shine as Barcelona qualify for Copa del Rey semis
Barcelona defeated Albacete 2-1 to end their giant-killing campaign in the Copa del Rey, becoming the first side to qualify for the semi-final. Lamine Yamal netted the opening goal in the 39th minute of the match.
Captain Ronald Araujo scored from a corner in the second half as Barcelona aim to defend their title. Albacete pulled one back as Javier Moreno scored in the 87th minute and then had an effort cleared in the stoppage time as they made a late bid to make a case for the semi-finals.
The second division side, Albacete, had stunned Celta Vigo and Real Madrid in the previous rounds. Deportivo Alaves will take on Real Sociedad and Valencia will face Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday in the other quarter-finals of the Spanish Cup, while Atletico Madrid will square off against Real Betis on Thursday.
Barcelona won the Copa del Rey last year, after defeating Real Madrid 3-2 in the extra time of the final in Seville.