LONDON – English football third-tier club Charlton defeated Premier League side Brighton in the League Cup on Wednesday to qualify for the quarterfinals.
Three days after their star player Alexis MacAllister helped Argentina win the World Cup in a penalty shootout, Brighton and Hove Albion were eliminated on penalties.
Mac Allister was spared playing away to southeast London side Charlton on Wednesday because he was given time off following his World Cup heroics.
After the game ended in a scoreless draw, penalties were used to decide the winner. An exciting shootout began with Pascal Gross, Jayden Stockley, and Leandro Trossard all hitting the woodwork.
George Dobson and Jesurun Rak-Sakyi were both stopped by Brighton goalkeeper Jason Steele.
The Seagulls‘ star Solly March had the chance to win the match at that point, but his shot went high over the crossbar.
Sam Lavelle scored the game-winning goal at The Valley as League One side Charlton secured a 4-3 shootout victory to advance to the quarterfinals.
Addicks goalkeeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer had earlier saved Moises Caicedo’s penalty.
“I’m sorry for the result and sorry for our fans, we wanted to win the game and play in the quarter-finals,” said Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi.
“We had opportunities to score. And in penalties you can lose.”
Charlton interim boss Anthony Hayes, in charge of his last match before Dean Holden, the club’s fifth manager in less than two years, takes over, said: “It was a special night. It gives everyone a lift.”
