ISTANBUL: Defending champions the Kansas City Chiefs beat the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 in overtime Sunday at Super Bowl LVIII to win their third title in five years.
The Chiefs also became back-to-back champions — a feat last achieved by the New England Patriots in 2003 and 2004.
San Francisco’s quarterback Brock Purdy, 24, completed 23 of his 38 passes for 255 yards and one touchdown, while running back Christian McCaffrey had 22 carries for 80 yards. Kicker Jake Moody was 3 for 3 in his field goals.
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, 28, completed 34 of his 46 passes for 333 yards and rushed for another 66 yards in nine carries, scoring two touchdowns and one interception.
Tight-end Travis Kelce saw nine receptions for 93 yards, and Harrison Butker was 4 for 4 in his field goals.
The 49ers’ legendary quarterback Joe Montana was in the stands at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada among celebrities that included actor Leonardo DiCaprio, power couple Jay-Z and Beyonce, The Beatles’ Sir Paul McCartn
ey, basketball superstar LeBron James and comedian Jimmy Kimmel.
The game was a rematch between the two teams, who faced off in 2020 when the Chiefs won Super Bowl LIV 31-20 for their first title in 50 years.
Mahomes, in addition, received his third Super Bowl most valuable player (MVP) award, joining Montana. He is now one step closer to legendary retired quarterback Tom Brady, who has five MVPs in the championship game.
“It was the defense that kept us in there and offense made plays when it counted,” he said at the post-game award ceremony. “I’m just proud of the guys. They kept believing.”
Kelce yelled “Viva Las Vegas” as he lifted the Vince Lombardi trophy and said the Chiefs will try to win the Super Bowl next year for the third consecutive year.
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, 65, said his team’s defense played great and added “I’m so proud of the whole group. Special teams jumped in there and dominated right until the end.”
Chiefs CEO and Chairman Clark Hunt said the game was “one of the most thril
ling Super Bowls I’ve ever seen.”
Before tonight, the 49ers managed to score 10 touchdowns in the postseason, the highest since 1978, while the Chiefs scored a touchdown or a field goal during their opening drives in eight straight playoff games — the longest streak in NFL history.
Both teams, however, failed to score points in their opening drives.
The first quarter was a defensive battle and it ended scoreless for the first time since Super Bowl LIII five years ago.
The 49ers managed to score a field goal at the beginning of the second quarter, taking the lead 3-0. The Chiefs tried to respond with a 52-yard pass by Mahomes, but the drive ended with a fumble in the following play.
Later, San Francisco’s Jake Moody kicked a 55-yard field goal – the longest made field goal in Super Bowl history.
The 49ers found the end zone 4:23 remaining in the second quarter, extending their lead to 10-0.
The TD came with a trick play, as Purdy threw the ball to wide receiver Jauan Jennings, who then threw it to McCa
ffrey, and the running back was open until the end zone for a 21-yard touchdown.
While the Chiefs have not been shut out in any first half since October 2021, for a span of 53 games, they made a 28-yard field goal at 0:20 remaining in the first half which ended 10-3.
Mahomes also has never led at halftime in any of his Super Bowl appearances. The Chiefs’ first drive at the start of the second half ended short after Mahomes’ pass was intercepted.
His 22-yard rushing took the Chiefs into the 49ers’ territory. Later in the drive, kicker Harrison Butker made a 57-yard field goal for – a new Super Bowl record – and bringing the score to 10-6.
After Kansas City punted to return the ball, San Francisco’s Darrell Luter Jr. failed to handle the punt, and the Chiefs’ Justin Watson recovered the ball at the 49ers’ 16-yard line. Just the next play, Mahomes hit wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling for a 16-yard TD and the Chiefs gained the 13-10 lead.
At the start of the 4th quarter, San Francisco responded with a
conversion at 4th down. The next play, Purdy hit wide receiver Jauan Jennings for a 10-yard TD. But their extra point attempt was blocked and the 49ers were up 16-13.
The Chiefs tried to respond with a TD but failed to capitalize in the end zone, ending their drive with a field goal and equalizing the score at 16 points apiece.
At first play after the 2-minute warning, the 49ers failed at 3rd down, but Moody made a 53-yard kick to make San Francisco take the lead 19-16 with 1:53 remaining in the game.
Despite a strong last drive, the Chiefs failed to find the end zone for a TD and tied the game 19-19 with a field goal, taking the championship game to overtime.
In the overtime, the 49ers’ possession ended with a holding penalty against the Chiefs’ defense, which resulted in an automatic 1st down for San Francisco who finished their drive with a 27-yard field goal to take the lead 22-19.
Each team must have at least one possession in overtime, according to Super Bowl regulations.
Chiefs’ last drive includ
ed 13 plays for 75 yards, in which Mahomes’ short pass to receiver Mecole Hardman for three yards sealed the game 25-22.
Source: Anadolu Agency