Can the Carabao Cup final go to extra-time and penalties? | Football

And with both clubs desperate to get their hands on the trophy, many expect the final to be a tight and cagey affair.

And so given the very real possibility the final could end in a draw, would the game progress straight to penalties – or would extra-time be used first?

Here are the rules ahead of this afternoon’s showdown in the capital.

Can the Carabao Cup final go to extra-time and penalties?

If the Carabao Cup final finishes level after 90 minutes, the match will head for extra-time.

In previous rounds of the Carabao Cup, games headed straight to penalties in the event of a draw after normal time.

The only exception was the semi-final stage, which would have featured extra-time if either of the two ties finished level on aggregate after the second leg.

Last year’s final saw Liverpool triumph over Chelsea with a 11-10 victory on penalties following a 0-0 draw after extra-time.

Will VAR be used in the Carabao Cup final?

VAR will be used at today’s final at Wembley.

Peter Bankes is the main VAR official, who will be working alongside Eddie Smart as the assistant VAR.

As was the case with extra-time, VAR was first used in this season’s Carabao Cup at the semi-final stage.

This was because the EFL were keen to ensure fairness across the competition given the fact that some Football League sides do not have VAR installed at their grounds.

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