Carabao Cup shock: Grimsby Town dump Manchester United after 12–11 shootout as Irish duo star

League Two Grimsby Town stunned Manchester United at Blundell Park — winning 12–11 on penalties after a 2–2 draw — as former League of Ireland pair Jaze Kabia and Darragh Burns held their nerve from the spot.

Manchester United crashed out of the Carabao Cup in a result that will sting for years, beaten by League Two Grimsby Town after a marathon shootout. Bryan Mbeumo, who had sparked the comeback in normal time, struck the decisive kick against the crossbar as the Mariners completed a famous 12–11 win in Cleethorpes.

Key points

• Score: Grimsby Town 2–2 Manchester United (Grimsby win 12–11 on pens).
• Irish impact: Ex-LOI players Jaze Kabia and Darragh Burns converted twice each in the shootout; Cameron McJannet and others also scored.
• United’s fightback: Trailed 2–0 (Vernam 22′, Warren 30′); levelled via Mbeumo (75′) and Maguire (89′).
• Decider: Mbeumo’s sudden-death penalty hit the bar to end a 26-kick shootout. [How it happened

Grimsby set the tone with ferocious energy and direct running, unsettling United’s back line and goalkeeper André Onana. Charles Vernam pounced first on 22 minutes, before ex-United youth defender Tyrell Warren doubled the lead on the half-hour after a set-piece scramble.

Rúben Amorim sent on heavy artillery at the break, and United eventually clawed back: Mbeumo curled home on 75 minutes and Harry Maguire headed in an 89th-minute equaliser to force penalties.

The shootout

The sequence had everything: Onana saved from Clarke Oduor; Christy Pym denied Matheus Cunha; and a string of immaculate conversions from Grimsby — including calm finishes by Kabia and Burns — kept the hosts alive. After 12 successful rounds apiece, Mbeumo thumped the bar and Blundell Park erupted.

“Something has to change” — Amorim

An apologetic Amorim admitted his side were second-best and hinted at changes ahead, saying “something has to change” after a winless start to the season. The defeat piles pressure on the United head coach amid intensifying scrutiny of recruitment, structure and performances.

Irish angle

Kabia (Cobh Ramblers, Shelbourne, Cork City) and Burns (St Patrick’s Athletic, Shamrock Rovers) showcased the League of Ireland pathway on one of the English game’s biggest stages — ice-cool when it mattered most.

Historic low for United

It is United’s first defeat to a fourth-tier side in the League Cup and their earliest exit since 2014, underlining the scale of the upset and the turbulence around the club.

Match facts

• Competition: Carabao Cup, Second Round
• Venue: Blundell Park (c.9,000)
• Full-time: Grimsby Town 2–2 Manchester United
• Scorers: Grimsby — Vernam 22′, Warren 30′; Man United — Mbeumo 75′, Maguire 89′.
• Pens: Grimsby win 12–11; decisive miss — Mbeumo.

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In League B’s Group 4, Ireland suffered a 1-0 defeat against Finland in what was another disappointing result for the boys in green. The only goal of the match came through Fredrik Jensen, a man Ireland fans will be familiar with having also scored the winner in the Aviva. The goal was a result of an uncustomary mistake from Darren Randolph, who carelessly gave the ball away which resulted in simple finish. The loss means Ireland remain in 3^rd, but are looming dangerously close to an automatic relegation spot.

Frustrating result in Helsinki

FT | Finland 1-0 Ireland

Jensen’s goal the difference as Ronan Curtis’ header denied in the final minutes #COYBIG | #FINIRL pic.twitter.com/7nnkxtXevC

— FAIreland (@FAIreland) October 14, 2020

Elsewhere in the group, Wales’ late winner against Bulgaria mean they remain on top of the table by 1 point.

In League A, Poland trounced Bosnia with a 3-0 win in Group 1. Bosnia did themselves no favours after getting a man sent off just 14 minutes into the game. Polish talisman Robert Lewandowski exploited Bosnian misfortune by netting a brace. This result means that Poland jump above Italy and Netherlands after they played out a 1-1 draw elsewhere in the group.

Group 2 seen Denmark defeat England in what was a disastrous performance from Harry Maguire. Maguire picked up his second yellow in the 31^st minute which led to Christian Eriksen converting from the spot. His performance will only have further compounded his misery after a turbulent few weeks. England now drop to 3^rd, having been in 1^st before yesterday’s fixtures.

Belgium also defeated Iceland 2-1 with Romelu Lukaku impressing as he scored 2 goals. Belgium have now leapfrogged England to claim 1^st position in the group.

Group 3 standings remained the same as France defeated Croatia and a Diego Jota inspired Portugal comfortably dispatched of Sweden. The newly signed Liverpool man claimed an assist and two goals in what was a man of the match performance, showing that he could do the business in Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence.

There were no group 4 matches played yesterday. Spain remain top of the group on 7 points despite a shock loss to Ukraine on Tuesday. Germany and the aforementioned Ukraine are just one point behind on 6 points.

Back to League B and Norway overcame Northern Ireland by way of a Stuart Dallas own goal in Group 1. Erling Braut Haaland failed to find his form against the North after netting his first international hat trick against Romania on Sunday. He will however be happy with Norway’s league position as they remain 2^nd, only level on points with Austria.

On the topic of Austria, they managed to overcome Romania in a match which ended 1-0.

Scotland retained their 100% unbeaten record in Group 2 with a win against Czech Republic, despite being dominated for much of the game. Ryan Fraser scored the only goal of the game after some great work by Lyndon Dykes to ensure the win.

Israel and Slovakia played out a memorable game in the same group, with a late Eran Zahavi goal awarding Israel a 3-2 scoreline. Zahavi will be taking home the match ball after scoring 2 goals prior to his winner in what was a man of the match performance. He will be hoping to make his mark on the Dutch league having recently signed for PSV Eindhoven.

Hat-trick for Zahavi tonight! #NationsLeague https://t.co/QCYBMX5MVM

— UEFA Nations League (@EURO2020) October 14, 2020

There were two draws in group 3 as Russia played out a stalemate with Hungary and Turkey drew 2-2 with Serbia. The results mean that Russia remain on top with 8 points, having not lost so far in the group.

Onto League C and there were no matches played in Group 1 yesterday. Luxembourg and Montenegro are currently battling for promotion to League B as both teams are stuck on 9 points.

Group 2 seen two 1-1 draws with Estonia playing Armenia and North Macedonia facing Georgia. North Macedonia and Georgia are level on top with 6 points while Armenia lurk just behind on 5 points.

Perhaps the best team in League C, Slovenia stayed atop of Group 3 as they slotted 4 past Moldova while maintaining a clean sheet. Haris Vuckic bagged a hat trick as he finished two opportunities from the spot.

Elsewhere in the group, Greece and Kosovo played out a scoreless draw despite Greece controlling a large majority of the game. Arijanet Muric didn’t make it easy for Greece as he produced a man of the match performance in the net for Kosovo. Greece are just 2 points off top while Kosovo and Moldova are embroiled in a relegation battle.

Group 4 seen Belarus defeat Kazakhstan while Lithuania managed a scoreless draw against Albania. Albania are underachieving in the group so far, sitting in 3^rd while Belarus remain on top and Lithuania remain in 2^nd.

All of League D’s matches were played on Tuesday so there was no fixtures yesterday.

Faroe Islands sit comfortably on top of Group 1 with Malta in 2^nd, Latvia in 3^rd and Andorra sitting at the bottom of the table.

Gibraltar have a 100% winning record in Group 2 and remain on top while Liechtenstein are two points behind in 2^nd. Minnows San Marino are stuck at the bottom of the table, but they will be happy as they managed to gather their first ever Nations League point with a draw against Liechtenstein on Tuesday.

Best Performers:  Eran Zahavi, Robert Lewandowski, Diego Jota, Haris Vuckic, Arijanet Muric

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