The ePremier League Invitational saw 20 sides from England’s top division represented in an online FIFA 20 tournament, with the proceeds going to charity. Wolves attacker Diogo Jota was the overall winner, beating Liverpool’s Trent Alexander Arnold in the final.
The world’s biggest football league moves online… for now.
Wolverhampton Wanderers star Diogo Jota has been crowned the inaugural winner of the ePremier League Invitational Tournament.
The 23-year-old beat Liverpool defender Trent Alexander Arnold in the final courtesy of a golden goal, after the pair had played out a 1-1 draw during their virtual 90-minute match.
It was Alexander-Arnold, fresh from a dramatic semi-final golden goal win over Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling at the last-four stage, who took the lead in the final, just before the half-time interval.
Only 1 #PL team could come out on top Congratulations to our #ePremierLeague Invitational winners, @Wolves pic.twitter.com/QSOx7ji2t1
— Premier League (@premierleague) April 25, 2020
It seemed like the Liverpool man was set to come away with a surprise victory, until Jota equalised in the 76th minute to force a second match to determine a winner.
The Portuguese winger ultimately prevailed in that clash after what was a tense match between two excellent FIFA 20 players. However, a 67th-minute goal from Raul Jimenez secured Jota the trophy.
The Wolves man had beaten Burnley’s Dwight McNeil 4-1 earlier that day in the semi-finals, having eliminated Lys Mousset (Sheffield United) and Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City) prior to that.
The ePremier League Invitation saw all 20 clubs from the division submit a player to represent their esports team, with 18 of those nominees being professional players. Only Manchester United and Arsenal submitted a side without an official representative.
All the proceeds earned from the online tournament will be donated to the #PlayersTogether initiative - a charitable organisation formed by Premier League players to generate funds for the UK’s National Health Service, who continue to battle the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
It is one of a number of online FIFA 20 competitions, such as the FIFA 20 #stayandplay Cup and the #FootballsStayingHome Cup.
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