Cardiff City vs Liverpool (2-3 on pens)
Carling Cup Final 2012, Wembley, London UK
(Photos © urban75, Sunday 26th Feb 2012)
It was yet another day out at Wembley with my beloved Cardiff City - my fourth visit in five years! - but, sadly, it proved to be another ruddy defeat. Bah!
Despite losing the game, this was still a fantastic game of football, played with a great spirit by both sides.
The bookies had pegged Cardiff's chances of winning at a very remote 8-1, so it was a real treat to see Bluebirds playing a magnificent game, matching the Premiership big boys until the very end.
Here's some photos from the day:
![Carling Cup Final 2012, Cardiff City vs Liverpool (2-3 on pens), Wembley, London UK, Sunday Feb 26 2012](images/cardiff-liverpool-carling-cup-2012-01.jpg)
On the way to the Wembley.
![Carling Cup Final 2012, Cardiff City vs Liverpool (2-3 on pens), Wembley, London UK, Sunday Feb 26 2012](images/cardiff-liverpool-carling-cup-2012-02.jpg)
![Carling Cup Final 2012, Cardiff City vs Liverpool (2-3 on pens), Wembley, London UK, Sunday Feb 26 2012](images/cardiff-liverpool-carling-cup-2012-03.jpg)
Heading out of Wembley Park station.
![Carling Cup Final 2012, Cardiff City vs Liverpool (2-3 on pens), Wembley, London UK, Sunday Feb 26 2012](images/cardiff-liverpool-carling-cup-2012-04.jpg)
On Wembley Way.
![Carling Cup Final 2012, Cardiff City vs Liverpool (2-3 on pens), Wembley, London UK, Sunday Feb 26 2012](images/cardiff-liverpool-carling-cup-2012-05.jpg)
![Carling Cup Final 2012, Cardiff City vs Liverpool (2-3 on pens), Wembley, London UK, Sunday Feb 26 2012](images/cardiff-liverpool-carling-cup-2012-06.jpg)
Wembley Arch.
![Carling Cup Final 2012, Cardiff City vs Liverpool (2-3 on pens), Wembley, London UK, Sunday Feb 26 2012](images/cardiff-liverpool-carling-cup-2012-08.jpg)
Inside, there were massive queues for the loos - I guess Wembley Inc figured they'd get more return for their investment by filling up the interior with lucrative retail units rather than providing enough toilets...
![Carling Cup Final 2012, Cardiff City vs Liverpool (2-3 on pens), Wembley, London UK, Sunday Feb 26 2012](images/cardiff-liverpool-carling-cup-2012-10.jpg)
Although I was delighted to see Cardiff back in another big final, I still loathe the whole super-corporate 'Wembley experience.'
It's the sort of place where you get the feeling that you're being carefully coerced into putting on a good show for the sponsors, with lots of camera-friendly scenes carefully prepared.
At least this time there were no crappy flags lurking under ever seat ready for some 'spontaneous' mass waving sessions, but the pointless, cod-samba racket was blaring out again, ready to drown out any 'robust' chanting.
The pre match entertainment was more ludicrous than usual, with some bizarre, giant-sized Bladerunner-esque banners floating overhead, and the pitch covered in coloured fabric.
![Carling Cup Final 2012, Cardiff City vs Liverpool (2-3 on pens), Wembley, London UK, Sunday Feb 26 2012](images/cardiff-liverpool-carling-cup-2012-11.jpg)
City fans. Curiously, the middle tier was full of Liverpool fans.
![Carling Cup Final 2012, Cardiff City vs Liverpool (2-3 on pens), Wembley, London UK, Sunday Feb 26 2012](images/cardiff-liverpool-carling-cup-2012-12.jpg)
![Carling Cup Final 2012, Cardiff City vs Liverpool (2-3 on pens), Wembley, London UK, Sunday Feb 26 2012](images/cardiff-liverpool-carling-cup-2012-13.jpg)
Great pointless balls of fire.
![Carling Cup Final 2012, Cardiff City vs Liverpool (2-3 on pens), Wembley, London UK, Sunday Feb 26 2012](images/cardiff-liverpool-carling-cup-2012-14.jpg)
![Carling Cup Final 2012, Cardiff City vs Liverpool (2-3 on pens), Wembley, London UK, Sunday Feb 26 2012](images/cardiff-liverpool-carling-cup-2012-15.jpg)
The floaty thing leaves the building.
![Carling Cup Final 2012, Cardiff City vs Liverpool (2-3 on pens), Wembley, London UK, Sunday Feb 26 2012](images/cardiff-liverpool-carling-cup-2012-16.jpg)
Remote control cameras ready to capture the goal action.
![Carling Cup Final 2012, Cardiff City vs Liverpool (2-3 on pens), Wembley, London UK, Sunday Feb 26 2012](images/cardiff-liverpool-carling-cup-2012-17.jpg)
Banner reads: 'Expose the lies before Thatcher dies.' 'Nuff respect to the Liverpool fans.
![Carling Cup Final 2012, Cardiff City vs Liverpool (2-3 on pens), Wembley, London UK, Sunday Feb 26 2012](images/cardiff-liverpool-carling-cup-2012-18.jpg)
Liverpool fans hold up banners saying, 'Don't Buy The Sun.'
Cardiff fans joined in the protest in protest at The Sun's coverage of the death of Mike Dye, a Cardiff fan who tragically died at Wembley last year.
As for me, I've never bought The Sun and never will.
![Carling Cup Final 2012, Cardiff City vs Liverpool (2-3 on pens), Wembley, London UK, Sunday Feb 26 2012](images/cardiff-liverpool-carling-cup-2012-19.jpg)
Let the game begin!
![Carling Cup Final 2012, Cardiff City vs Liverpool (2-3 on pens), Wembley, London UK, Sunday Feb 26 2012](images/cardiff-liverpool-carling-cup-2012-20.jpg)
![Carling Cup Final 2012, Cardiff City vs Liverpool (2-3 on pens), Wembley, London UK, Sunday Feb 26 2012](images/cardiff-liverpool-carling-cup-2012-21.jpg)
![Carling Cup Final 2012, Cardiff City vs Liverpool (2-3 on pens), Wembley, London UK, Sunday Feb 26 2012](images/cardiff-liverpool-carling-cup-2012-22.jpg)
![Carling Cup Final 2012, Cardiff City vs Liverpool (2-3 on pens), Wembley, London UK, Sunday Feb 26 2012](images/cardiff-liverpool-carling-cup-2012-23.jpg)
![Carling Cup Final 2012, Cardiff City vs Liverpool (2-3 on pens), Wembley, London UK, Sunday Feb 26 2012](images/cardiff-liverpool-carling-cup-2012-24.jpg)
Cardiff go 1-0 up thanks to a Joe Mason goal. YESSS!
![Carling Cup Final 2012, Cardiff City vs Liverpool (2-3 on pens), Wembley, London UK, Sunday Feb 26 2012](images/cardiff-liverpool-carling-cup-2012-25.jpg)
![Carling Cup Final 2012, Cardiff City vs Liverpool (2-3 on pens), Wembley, London UK, Sunday Feb 26 2012](images/cardiff-liverpool-carling-cup-2012-26.jpg)
![Carling Cup Final 2012, Cardiff City vs Liverpool (2-3 on pens), Wembley, London UK, Sunday Feb 26 2012](images/cardiff-liverpool-carling-cup-2012-28.jpg)
Under pressure at the end of the first half.
![Carling Cup Final 2012, Cardiff City vs Liverpool (2-3 on pens), Wembley, London UK, Sunday Feb 26 2012](images/cardiff-liverpool-carling-cup-2012-29.jpg)
![Carling Cup Final 2012, Cardiff City vs Liverpool (2-3 on pens), Wembley, London UK, Sunday Feb 26 2012](images/cardiff-liverpool-carling-cup-2012-30.jpg)
Liverpool equalise. Arse.
![Carling Cup Final 2012, Cardiff City vs Liverpool (2-3 on pens), Wembley, London UK, Sunday Feb 26 2012](images/cardiff-liverpool-carling-cup-2012-31.jpg)
![Carling Cup Final 2012, Cardiff City vs Liverpool (2-3 on pens), Wembley, London UK, Sunday Feb 26 2012](images/cardiff-liverpool-carling-cup-2012-32.jpg)
Into extra time.
![Carling Cup Final 2012, Cardiff City vs Liverpool (2-3 on pens), Wembley, London UK, Sunday Feb 26 2012](images/cardiff-liverpool-carling-cup-2012-33.jpg)
![Carling Cup Final 2012, Cardiff City vs Liverpool (2-3 on pens), Wembley, London UK, Sunday Feb 26 2012](images/cardiff-liverpool-carling-cup-2012-34.jpg)
![Carling Cup Final 2012, Cardiff City vs Liverpool (2-3 on pens), Wembley, London UK, Sunday Feb 26 2012](images/cardiff-liverpool-carling-cup-2012-35.jpg)
Liverpool scored on the 108th minute, but the mighty City weren't done yet, as Turner bundled the ball over the line with just two minutes to go. Yes!
![Carling Cup Final 2012, Cardiff City vs Liverpool (2-3 on pens), Wembley, London UK, Sunday Feb 26 2012](images/cardiff-liverpool-carling-cup-2012-36.jpg)
Jubilation in the City crowd.
![Carling Cup Final 2012, Cardiff City vs Liverpool (2-3 on pens), Wembley, London UK, Sunday Feb 26 2012](images/cardiff-liverpool-carling-cup-2012-37.jpg)
![Carling Cup Final 2012, Cardiff City vs Liverpool (2-3 on pens), Wembley, London UK, Sunday Feb 26 2012](images/cardiff-liverpool-carling-cup-2012-38.jpg)
Liverpool fans taunted.
![Carling Cup Final 2012, Cardiff City vs Liverpool (2-3 on pens), Wembley, London UK, Sunday Feb 26 2012](images/cardiff-liverpool-carling-cup-2012-39.jpg)
![Carling Cup Final 2012, Cardiff City vs Liverpool (2-3 on pens), Wembley, London UK, Sunday Feb 26 2012](images/cardiff-liverpool-carling-cup-2012-40.jpg)
Penalties!
![Carling Cup Final 2012, Cardiff City vs Liverpool (2-3 on pens), Wembley, London UK, Sunday Feb 26 2012](images/cardiff-liverpool-carling-cup-2012-41.jpg)
![Carling Cup Final 2012, Cardiff City vs Liverpool (2-3 on pens), Wembley, London UK, Sunday Feb 26 2012](images/cardiff-liverpool-carling-cup-2012-44.jpg)
Bellamy consoles Anthony Gerrard as City lose the game after a truly heroic battle.
You did the club and the city proud lads.
![Carling Cup Final 2012, Cardiff City vs Liverpool (2-3 on pens), Wembley, London UK, Sunday Feb 26 2012](images/cardiff-liverpool-carling-cup-2012-45.jpg)
Chat about the Cup Final here
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