Lions blow away a 24-year hoodoo to set up All Blacks decider
was ruined by a Maro Itoje knock-on. But the Lions kept probing for space, not being afraid to keep ball in hand despite the conditions, and they dominated a scoreless opening 10 minutes in terms of possession and territory.
When New Zealand belatedly moved into the Lions’ half, a sense of urgency surfaced as they moved forward at a rapid pace.
An opening Barrett penalty strike, though, hit the post and it remained all square.
The Lions forwards were far more cohesive and physical than they had been seven days ago, yet they handed Barrett another penalty chance by collapsing a scrum, and this time Barrett made no mistake.
Farrell landed a superb kick from just inside New Zealand’s half to level the match, and then came a huge moment as Williams was dramatically sent off.
Television replays showed what Garces described as “a direct charge on the head” and he had no hesitation in brandishing red to Williams.
Watson departed for a head injury assessment and was temporarily replaced by his fellow England wing Jack Nowell.
It meant the All Blacks faced a Herculean task for more than an hour, and they immediately began to change things as flanker Jerome Kaino was taken off and replaced by debutant back Ngani Laumape, before Watson returned.
Barrett and Farrell exchanged penalties in quick succession, before Barrett completed his hat-trick, but there was still time for Farrell to follow suit, making it 9-9 at half-time.
New Zealand began the second period in determined fashion, only for Barrett to miss an easy penalty chance after Itoje drifted offside, which allowed the Lions a considerable let-off.
The Lions, though, were their own worst enemies, and when Murray was penalised for a high tackle, Barrett stepped up and this time made no mistake from 35 metres out.
Seemingly gripped by indiscipline, the Lions then gave Barrett another opportunity – his third in seven minutes – but he sent it wide, before Vunipola’s reckless late lunge on Barrett afforded him another kick, and he took New Zealand six points clear.
Vunipola was then yellow-carded, and Barrett kicked three more points, before a sweeping Lions move ended in Wales star Faletau touching down wide out to set up a thrilling final 20 minutes.
A seventh Barrett penalty arrived after the Lions fell offside inside their own 22, only for Murray to storm through a gap, touch down and see Farrell boot a match-levelling conversion.
And then came his winning strike with three minutes left after replacement All Blacks prop Charlie Faumuina was punished for an illegal challenge on Kyle Sinckler.
And the Lions went wild.