New Zealand vs. British & Irish Lions: Score, Reaction for 2017 2nd Test

A late Owen Farrell penalty saw the British & Irish Lions to a historic 24-21 win over 14-man New Zealand on Saturday, levelling the series at 1-1.

Nine points apiece from the respective boots of Beauden Barrett and Farrell meant the scores were level at the interval, although the big talking point from the first period was Sonny Bill Williams' dismissal for a dangerous tackle on Anthony Watson.

Three penalties from Barrett opened up a nine-point lead for the home side in the second period, but that was cut to four after a Taulupe Faletau try for the Lions. After another Barrett penalty, the tourists responded with a converted score from Conor Murray, levelling the match at 21-21.

The try set up an absorbing climax, and with three minutes left on the clock, Farrell kicked over the decisive points.

Per betting company bet365, it's been a long time since the All Blacks lost in front of their own supporters:

After a typically stirring haka from the hosts, the match began at a ferocious pace. Factor in the difficult conditions, with rain tipping down in Wellington, New Zealand, and the early exchanges were scrappy.

New Zealand were the first to strike, with Barrett slotting having earlier missed a decent opportunity. However, Farrell got the Lions going with a brilliant kick from just inside the All Blacks half.

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The game's big talking point soon followed, as Williams was given his marching orders. Referee Jerome Garces stopped play to take a look at a big hit from the centre, and it was clear he planted his shoulder into the face of Watson.

As noted by OptaJonny, it was an unprecedented decision from the match official:

However, Paul Hayward of the Daily Telegraph suggested the referee had no option other than to show the red card:

After going down to 14 men, the home side responded well and took advantage of some error-prone Lions defending to kick another penalty. Farrell was able to level things at 6-6 again though, before another effort from each man saw the scores level at the interval.

The Lions had yet to really make their one-man advantage count as the sides trudged off at half time. But as noted by former Lions star Matt Dawson, they still had a huge opportunity to grab a famous win:

It was a chance they seemed reluctant to take in the early stages of the second period, as the Lions continued to concede a string of penalties.

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They gave away three within kicking range—two of which were scored by Barrett—before Mako Vunipola was sin-binned for a late hit on the New Zealand fly-half. Yet another penalty from Barrett saw New Zealand open up a nine-point advantage at 18-9.

As TalkSport's Georgie Bingham said, the game was getting away from the visitors:

A spark was needed, and it was provided by Faletau. Watson's burst down the right drew Black shirts across, and the Lions worked the ball to opposite flank, where the No. 8 finished brilliantly, ploughing through Israel Dagg to score.

Farrell's missed conversion meant the gap stayed at four points, although as the match entered the final stages, the Lions had a foothold.

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Another penalty from Barrett gave New Zealand some temporary breathing space again, but Jamie George ran a superb line to open up the All Blacks, allowing Murray to dart inside his man and touch down. Farrell added the extra two and the match was level at 21-21.

Former England footballer Rio Ferdinand praised Farrell for nailing a pressure kick:

The biggest pressure was still to come for the England fly-half, though, as the game descended into a chaotic finale.

Charlie Faumuina tackled Kyle Sinckler in the air, giving the Lions a brilliant chance to snatch this one at the death. Farrell, having kicked supremely all day, made absolutely no mistake to put his team in front for the first time.

New Zealand poured on some pressure with the little time that was left. But the visitors dug in to secure a massive win and set things up superbly for next Saturday's decider in Auckland.