The Los Angeles Rams scored a late touchdown to beat the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20 in Super Bowl 56.The Bengals looked set to win their first Super Bowl – just two years after being the NFL’s worst team.
But the Rams’ star-studded roster produced when it mattered most, with quarterback Matthew Stafford leading a game-winning 15-play drive. With just one minute 25 seconds left, Cooper Kupp scored his second touchdown to give the Rams a second NFL title.
Kupp was named the game’s Most Valuable Player, adding to the Offensive Player of the Year award he won last week. With the game taking place at SoFi Stadium, the Rams are only the second team to win a Super Bowl in their own stadium after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers achieved the feat last year.
Victory also vindicated their decision to return to Los Angeles from St Louis six years ago. Some NFL fans have however slammed a ‘pathetic’ late officiating decision that helped hand the Rams victory .
The victory at the SoFi stadium was clouded by controversy, with an iffy penalty call in the closing minutes hampering the Bengals at a crucial stage.
With 1:47 remaining on the clock, Cincinnati linebacker Logan Wilson was penalized for defensive holding against Kupp on 3rd-and-goal from the eight-yard line. Three plays later, the Rams went ahead on a one-yard touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford to Kupp to seal a 23-20 triumph.