Super Bowl 58 will take place on Sunday 11 February at the Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, and will be contested between last year’s winners, Kansas City Chiefs, and San Francisco 49ers. 

The fixture will be a repeat of Super Bowl 54 which was contested in Miami back in 2020, when The Chiefs ran out the winners by 31-20.

The Kansas outfit will be attempting to become the first back-to-back champions since the New England Patriots performed the feat in the 2003 and 2004 seasons, having beat the Philadelphia Eagles 38-35 last year.

They qualified for their fourth final in the last five years by beating the Baltimore Ravens 17-10, but will be wary of their forthcoming opponents, after the Californians produced a thrilling fightback against The Detroit Lions.

The 49ers had trailed 24-7 at half-time, but fought back strongly to run out winners by 34-31.

Heartbreak for the Lions

It seemed to be heading the way of The Detroit Lions at the break of their clash with San Francisco 49ers and as one of just four NFL teams never to play in the Super Bowl, there must have been huge excitement in the Detroit camp and great belief they could hold on to a 24-7 lead.

Sadly for them they simply could not repeat their dominance in the second half and gradually the 49ers reeled them in.

Class tells in the end

There was an eight-minute spell in which 17 points were scored without reply, as the Californian machine kicked into gear and they drew themselves level when their momentum was able to force a Detroit fumble, giving Christian McCaffrey – the favourite to be the Offensive Player of the Year – the chance to punch in his second score.

They then dug deeper and got themselves in front. as the match entered the last 10 minutes, thanks largely to a superb display by quarterback Brock Purdy, and they were able to hold on for a famous fightback victory.

Coach full of praise

Head coach of the 49ers, Kyle Shanahan, said: “We just needed an opportunity after we played badly in the first half, but knew we were still within 17 points.”

Praising Purdy, the coach explained the tactics for the second half: “We knew we had to score on the first drive and the dude next to me made it happen” – pointing to a beaming Purdy, before declaring that the side had “unfinished business” and saying they “can’t wait to get to Vegas”.

Showing character

 They will come face to face with The Kansas City Chiefs who won the Super Bowl 12 months ago, defeating Philadelphia Eagles 38-35 in the “Kelce Bowl” at State Farm Stadium, home of the Arizona Cardinals.

They too have not had it easy in reaching this stage, playing on the road twice, first winning in Buffalo then overcoming the Baltimore Ravens, who were the AFC’s top seed.

The class of Patrick Mahomes and Tight End Travis Kelce told in the end, and Mahomes was full of praise for his teammates: “We knew on the road we would be OK, there are lots of dogs in that locker room and the dogs came to play.”

He went on to say that despite being underdogs in the last two games, the side never felt that way.

Swift embrace

Watched by his superstar girlfriend, Taylor Swift, Kelce announced: “Believe it, baby, we going to Las Vegas, gonna get us another one!”, before the two were seen celebrating with a kiss on the pitch.

The pop sensation will kick off an international leg of her Eras Tour early next month and will actually play a concert in Tokyo the night before the Super Bowl, but because of the time zone differences it is thought she will attempt to be present for the big game.

Repeat or revenge?

 When these two met for the show-piece event four years ago the Chiefs came from behind to win and start their fabulous run. It will probably be built up as Purdy v Mahomas, but there will be plenty more duels all over the field, with The 49ers likely to start narrow favourites.