QUIZ: How well do you remember the League Cup final between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur in 2009?

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Before Manchester United and Tottenham face off in the UEFA Europa League final on Wednesday - live on TNT Sports and discovery+ - we’re rewinding to their last showdown in a major final: Wembley, 2009. It may have finished goalless after 120 minutes, but there was still plenty of drama courtesy of Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and co. Test your memory of that crunch clash in our quiz.

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March 1, 2009. Kelly Clarkson’s unavoidably catchy My Life Would Suck Without You was top of the UK charts. Slumdog Millionaire had just scooped Best Picture at the Oscars. And over in the States, it was National Pig Day. Yes, really.
Back in London, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur were gearing up for the League Cup final at Wembley. United were locked in a fierce title scrap with Liverpool, while Spurs were resurgent under Harry Redknapp, who was never shy to remind everyone that they only had two points from eight games when he replaced Juande Ramos.
The final? Not a classic. But still full of moments: near-misses, penalty drama and some very famous faces. And with these two about to meet again in the UEFA Europa League final in Bilbao on Wednesday, May 21 - live on TNT Sports and discovery+ - now’s a perfect time to test your memory.
Ready? Let's begin.

Pre-match - Cult hero misses out

Tottenham have fielded plenty of cult heroes through the years and the 2008-09 squad was no exception.
Who declared themselves fit for the match despite needing stitches to treat a head wound just a week earlier - only for Redknapp to omit them from the squad at Wembley?
There was no Wayne Rooney for United - out with a virus - so Carlos Tevez and Danny Welbeck led the line for Sir Alex Ferguson's side.

5' - Ronaldo sizes up early free-kick

Cristiano Ronaldo lines up a free-kick...

Cristiano Ronaldo lines up a free-kick...

Image credit: Other Agency

United won an early free-kick 25 yards from goal. Cristiano Ronaldo - at the time just a one-time Ballon d’Or winner - stood over it. Spurs fans held their breath.
Where did it end up?

24' - Almost a wonder goal!

TNT Sports' blockbuster team in Bilbao includes Rio Ferdinand, Paul Scholes and Gareth Bale. Remarkably, all three featured in this final.
But which of them got fans off their seats with an outrageous dipping volley midway through the first half that landed on the roof of the net?

49' - Oh dear

Roman Pavlyuchenko looks despondent

Roman Pavlyuchenko looks despondent

Image credit: Other Agency

Tottenham edged the first half, keeping Tevez and Welbeck quiet in particular, and came out flying after the break.
But things didn’t go to plan for Roman Pavlyuchenko in the 50th minute… What made him react like this?

67' - Penalty?

Cristiano Ronaldo collides with Ledley King

Cristiano Ronaldo collides with Ledley King

Image credit: Getty Images

Aside from a couple of unsuccessful free-kicks, Ronaldo had been on the periphery of the game. But then he finally emerged from Benoit Assou-Ekotto's pocket, darted into the penalty area, and went to ground after Ledley King caught him on the foot.
What did referee Chris Foy decide?

90+3' - United slam woodwork in injury time!

Momentum was with United. With just seconds to play, Paul Scholes fed Darren Gibson, who sprayed the ball wide. Suddenly, the Spurs defence opened up, presenting a golden chance to win it.
Who thwacked the post with seconds to go?

Extra time 105' - Bale gets the ball and runs...

Bale picked up the ball just inside his own half and surged forward - shrugging off Ronaldo, then gliding between Scholes and Ferdinand. But how did his promising run come to an end?
It’s wild to think now, but Bale was still waiting for his first win in a Spurs shirt - a brutal run that wouldn’t end until September 2009. Still, this attack was a teaser trailer for what was to come at the San Siro a year later…
Extra time finished goalless. On to penalties.

Penalties - Big save from Foster!

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Ben Foster saves Tottenham's first penalty

Image credit: Getty Images

Ryan Giggs, then a sprightly 35-year-old, clattered the first penalty off the post and in. Then Ben Foster took centre stage with a superb save to deny Spurs’ opening taker.
Who did he deny?

Penalties - Another Spurs miss!

Tevez, Vedran Corluka and Ronaldo all converted. Then up stepped David Bentley.
What happened next?

Penalties - Anderson wins it for United!

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Anderson scores the winning penalty

Image credit: Getty Images

Anderson was next to step up, acutely aware that: a) he could seal the cup for United, and b) he had never actually scored for United. Anyway, he duly sent Gomes the wrong way. Trophy delivered.
But how did he celebrate?

Full-time: Manchester United 0-0 Tottenham - United win 4-1 on penalties

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Manchester United celebrate their League Cup triumph

Image credit: Getty Images

So it was glory, glory Man United. For our younger readers, that was once a very common theme, as hard as that is to imagine now.
As for Spurs, their reign as League Cup holders ended that day - and they still haven’t lifted a trophy since. Can they finally end the drought in Bilbao? Find out live on TNT Sports and discovery+ on Wednesday.

How did you get on?

Count up your score (out of 10) and hit the appropriate emoji!
TNT Sports app users, select the emoji in the thoughts on this story section at the bottom of the page. Everyone else, use react to this story at the top of the page.
❤ 10/10
👍 7-9
😲 4-6
😆 2-3
😡 0-1

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