Super Bowl 2022: Rams hold nerves to claim late 23-20 win over Bengals

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.

The wide receiver, 28, 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.

Although they reached the NFL’s championship game at the end of their third season back in California, losing to the New England Patriots, they then traded away a flurry of future draft picks to rebuild their squad.

Built at a cost of $5bn (£3.7bn) by Rams and Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke, the SoFi Stadium earned the right to stage the first Super Bowl in the LA region since 1993 and the Rams went all in to ensure they were part of the big show.

The gamble paid off as they not only reached their fifth Super Bowl but delivered a Hollywood ending. (BBC Sport)