Starting With Real Madrid

February 26th, 16:00 p.m.

Wembley Stadium in northwest London welcomed 89,044 spectators.

Manchester City and Leeds United fans were divided into separate sections of the stands, and both teams looked evenly matched from the atmosphere alone.

This high-profile match, which drew global attention, was officiated by renowned Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg.

From the moment the opening whistle blew, all speculation about a potentially suspicious connection between the two clubs vanished.

Leeds United launched an almost frantic high-press against Manchester City right from the kickoff.

Both teams fielded their strongest lineups.

Gao Shen used his signature 4-3-3 formation.

Goalkeeper: Neuer.

Defenders: Felipe, David Luiz, Kompany, and Lichtsteiner.

This backline had proven itself in last season's Champions League and remained Manchester City's go-to defensive setup this season in the absence of injuries.

Midfielders: Javi Martínez sitting deep, with David Silva and Yaya Touré in central midfield.

Rakitic caught a cold after the trip to Saint Petersburg, but having Yaya Touré replace him posed no problem. Manchester City's overall strength remained unchanged.

Touré had already proven himself to be a world-class midfielder during his time at the club.

Forwards: Hazard, Van Persie, and Robben.

Gareth Bale and Suárez had both featured in Saint Petersburg, so it made sense that Gao Shen rested them for this match. The trio of Hazard, Van Persie, and Robben still formed a formidable attacking line.

On paper alone, this front three was among the most dangerous in Europe.

It was clear that Manchester City's bench strength was considerable.

Leeds United also played a 4-3-3.

Goalkeeper: Courtois.

Defenders: Kurzawa, Koulibaly, Woodgate, and Klein.

Midfielders: Schneiderlin sitting deep, with Pogba and Paulinho in the middle.

Forwards: Adam Lallana, Benteke, and Bolasie.

This was currently Leeds United's strongest lineup and Sarri's greatest advantage.

Among them, Woodgate had just returned from injury.

Whenever this "glass man" played this season, Leeds United remained unbeaten, and his performances were outstanding.

Unfortunately, he was often sidelined by injuries.

As soon as the match began, Leeds United pressed aggressively and won possession near the halfway line.

Schneiderlin intercepted the ball and quickly initiated a counterattack, passing to the left.

Kurzawa sprinted forward and sent the ball to Adam Lallana, who looked set to carry it down the wing, drawing Lichtsteiner's attention. But then Lallana suddenly cut the ball inward with a horizontal pass.

Pogba received it, tried to shake off Yaya Touré, and then took a shot.

But the French midfielder's shot was blocked by Touré.

David Silva brought the ball down and quickly passed forward to Hazard.

The Belgian advanced with the ball at a steady pace. Though not especially fast, he was controlled and composed. Schneiderlin chased closely but couldn't find an opportunity to tackle.

As Hazard approached Leeds United's 30-meter zone, drifting centrally, he slotted a diagonal ball into space on the right flank.

Robben chased it down and controlled it, finding himself one-on-one with Koulibaly on the edge of the penalty area.

The Leeds United center back rushed forward, lunging in.

But Robben showed his class. He stopped suddenly, shook off Koulibaly, and cut in from the right. Reaching the top right corner of the penalty area, he fired a curling left-footed shot.

It was a sudden strike, but Leeds United keeper Courtois was alert. He moved swiftly, diving and palming the shot over the bar with one hand.

As Courtois landed, thunderous applause echoed around Wembley.

> "Leeds United goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois with a brilliant save!"

> "This Belgian shot-stopper is actually on Manchester City's books but has never played a minute for them. He was loaned to the Belgian league before Leeds United brought him in. He's been phenomenal in the Championship and is arguably the best goalkeeper in the league this season."

> "Rumor has it that several Premier League clubs including Tottenham, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester United are keeping tabs on him. His performances have been consistently solid."

> "Robben's shot had a gorgeous arc, but Courtois' save was top-class."

> "The game has gone into full throttle right from the kickoff. Neither side is holding back."

As a former teammate, Neuer was well aware of Courtois' ability.

When Courtois made that outstanding save, even Neuer couldn't sit still on his line.

Less than two minutes later, Leeds United attacked from the left. Adam Lallana crossed with his left foot toward the center of the box. Benteke outjumped David Luiz and aimed a header toward the top right corner. Neuer flew to his right and tipped it away, also earning applause.

This back-and-forth offensive battle between the two teams had nearly 90,000 fans at Wembley on their feet.

And this was just the beginning.

As the match progressed, it became clear that neither team was holding anything back. They kept up the frantic pace, with shots flying in nearly every minute, drawing gasps from the crowd.

Manchester City's overall strength gave them the upper hand, and they quickly gained control of possession and tempo.

But Courtois was like a wall between the posts, denying several dangerous attempts.

The Belgian keeper appeared to be in peak form, as if determined to prove his worth to his parent club. But Manchester City would soon pay for failing to capitalize.

In the 13th minute, Leeds United won the ball and launched a swift counterattack.

Kurzawa passed from the left to Lallana on the wing, who then found Pogba in the middle.

Pogba played a quick ball to Paulinho, made a diagonal run, received the return pass, and then lobbed the ball into the box for Benteke. He himself darted into the area.

But Benteke's return pass didn't find Pogba. Javi Martínez intercepted it.

Klein, rushing in from the right, regained possession on the flank and whipped in a cross. Benteke met it with his head, but Kompany cleared it away.

The ball fell back to the right side where Klein picked it up again. Without hesitating, he cut inside and passed horizontally.

Pogba, standing near the top-right arc of the box, had his back to goal. Without trapping the ball, he flicked it backward with the outside of his foot.

The ball curved past Javi Martínez and fell perfectly into Paulinho's stride. The Brazilian drove into the box, right between Manchester City's two center backs, into the space behind Martínez.

From close range, Paulinho slotted past Neuer to give Leeds United the lead.

The goal set Wembley alight.

Leeds United took the lead—something few had expected.

Could Manchester City actually be letting Leeds United take the title?

Before anyone could make sense of it, Manchester City equalized.

In the 17th minute, David Luiz fired from distance and beat Courtois to bring the score to 1-1.

Then, in the 21st minute, Yaya Touré's goal turned the match around, 2-1 to Manchester City.

Scoring two quick goals, City shifted into overdrive, launching wave after wave of attacks.

But Leeds United didn't retreat. Despite being the weaker side, they never backed down, choosing instead to go toe-to-toe with Manchester City.

Both sides played a high press and pushed forward aggressively, turning the game into a thrilling spectacle.

The match was filled with intensity, and both the fans in the stands and viewers at home were glued to the action. Even Sky Sports commentator Andy Gray couldn't stop praising the final.

Defenders and goalkeepers on both teams held firm under pressure.

Despite the high volume of shots, it wasn't until the 39th minute that Yaya Touré scored again with a long-range effort from the top of the arc.

Three minutes later, David Silva delivered a sharp pass, and Van Persie feinted past Koulibaly before scoring from close range, beating Courtois again.

4-1!

It looked like the outcome had been decided.

By halftime, the two teams had combined for 28 shots—an astonishing number.

In the second half, Leeds United came out firing.

Klein dribbled at pace down the right and won a free kick.

Adam Lallana's delivery was cleared by Javi Martínez, but Pogba chested it down outside the box and volleyed it. The ball hit the underside of the bar and bounced into Neuer's net.

2-4!

Leeds United's young squad launched an all-out attack. Their suffocating high press left many in the stadium stunned.

In the 49th minute, Lallana delivered a brilliant pass, but Benteke's shot from the left side of the box struck the post. Three minutes later, Lallana again found Benteke, who headed home from close range.

3-4!

Suddenly, Manchester City looked to be in trouble.

But in the 57th minute, Van Persie broke into the left side of the box, backheeled a pass, and Hazard followed up to bury a shot into the far corner.

5-3!

This goal helped Manchester City regain control and dampen Leeds United's momentum.

Leeds tried to hit back, but as their energy waned and possession slipped, they struggled to threaten again. Their intense pressing exposed cracks in the second half.

In the 76th minute, Hazard cut back from the left and Van Persie finished clinically, making it 6-3.

Still, Leeds kept searching for one last goal.

In the 88th minute, Bolasie broke down the right and slid a through ball to substitute Icardi. He shot from eight meters out, but Neuer saved it again.

That was the final dangerous moment of the match.

Manchester City defeated Leeds United 6-3 to win the League Cup!

This nine-goal thriller set the record for the highest-scoring final in English League Cup history!

(To be continued.)