1988 FA Cup Final

The 1988 FA Cup Final took place on 14 May 1988 at Wembley Stadium. It was contested between Wimbledon, unfashionable and unfancied, and Liverpool, one of the dominant teams of the 1980s and newly-crowned league champions. The result was one of the biggest shocks in the history of the competition as the London side won 1–0 for the first and only time in their history. The final is also notable as the first instance of a penalty save (by Dave Beasant from John Aldridge) in FA Cup Final history.This final was the last one since 1958 that would be screened by ITV and BBC.

Match summary

Wimbledon took the lead shortly before half-time, when Lawrie Sanchez's header, from a Dennis Wise free kick on the left, went across goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar and into the net. Liverpool created a host of chances, including a strike by Peter Beardsley disallowed as the referee had already awarded a free kick to Liverpool, but were unable to find a way past Wimbledon goalkeeper Dave Beasant. The Merseysiders were awarded a controversial penalty on the hour mark following a foul by Clive Goodyear, but John Aldridge's shot was saved by Beasant, who thus became the first keeper to save a penalty in a Wembley FA Cup final. The Londoners survived more pressure from Liverpool to secure their first major trophy and a notable upset.

Europe

However, Wimbledon could not compete in the 1988–89 European Cup Winners Cup because of the ban on English teams following the 1985 Heysel disaster.

Match details

footballbox
date=1988-05-14
15:00 BST
team1=Wimbledon
score=1 – 0
team2=Liverpool
report= [http://www.fa-cupfinals.co.uk/1988.htm (Report)]
goals1=Sanchez goal|37
goals2=
stadium=Wembley, London
attendance=98,203
referee=Brian Hill

Road to Wembley

External links

* [http://www.soccerbase.com/results3.sd?gameid=258971 Game facts] at soccerbase.com
* [http://www.lfchistory.net/viewgame.asp?game_id=1639 LFC History Match Report]