Live Super Bowl updates: Heartbreak for the 49ers as Mahomes leads game-winning drive. Chiefs win the Super Bowl

The 49ers are back in the Super Bowl against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs.

Last time they were on this stage, four years ago, Mahomes engineered a fourth-quarter comeback that snatched the game away from the 49ers, who led by 10 points with seven minutes remaining.

Only eight players from that game remain on the team that will take the field Sunday afternoon in Las Vegas, but several are key stars — Deebo Samuel, George Kittle and Nick Bosa, among others.

The path to that Super Bowl was much simpler than this year’s run: Wire-to-wire home wins over the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers carried the Niners to Miami. This time around, they had to make two comebacks of their own to reach the season’s final game, first beating the Packers with a late drive engineered by Brock Purdy, then erasing a 17-point deficit against the Lions by riding the momentum created by Brandon Aiyuk’s third-quarter circus catch.

Now, with Purdy replacing Jimmy Garoppolo from that Super Bowl LIV loss and several other new starry faces in the fold (including Christian McCaffrey and Trent Williams), they have a chance to end their 29-year title drought.

Follow along below as we update each twist, turn and touchdown throughout the Super Bowl rematch.

Pregame: The 49ers’ inactive players for the game are linebacker Jalen Graham, offensive tackle Matt Pryor, wide receiver Ronnie Bell, defensive tackle T.Y. McGill, defensive lineman Alex Barrett, cornerback Sam Womack and emergency quarterback Brandon Allen. The Chiefs’ inactives are wide receivers Kadarius Toney and Justyn Ross; cornerback Ekow Boye-Doe; defensive end B.J. Thompson; running back La’Mical Perine and linebacker Darius Harris.

The Al Davis torch — between 49ers and Chiefs banners — was lit by Super Bowl MVPs Fred Biletnikoff, Jim Plunkett and Marcus Allen pic.twitter.com/ROIp893UF9

— Jerry McDonald (@Jerrymcd) February 11, 2024

Pregame: The Al Davis torch is lit up inside Allegiant Stadium. The three Raiders Super Bowl MVPs, Marcus Allen, Jim Plunkett, and Fred Biletnikoff, do the honors. Some boos from those in attendance when “The Autumn Wind” is played.

#49ers captains for #SuperBowl  coin toss

George Kittle
Deebo Samuel
Arik Armstead
Trent Williams
Fred Warner#Niners All-Tails Fred loses toss, will receive kickoff from defending champion Chiefs pic.twitter.com/V0i4ipjIo9

— Cam Inman (@CamInman) February 11, 2024

Pregame: Post Malone sings America the Beautiful. Reba with the National Anthem, clocking in at about 1:43, hitting the over. Coaches and players from the Lahainaluna High School football team are present for the coin toss. The Chiefs win the coin toss and defer to the second half. The 49ers will start with the ball.

1Q, 12:15 – 49ers 0, Chiefs 0: The 49ers drive 46 yards on five plays but Christian McCaffrey has the ball stripped. Chiefs recover, and have the ball at their own 27. Brock Purdy was 2 for 2 on that drive for 29 yards, but Patrick Mahomes and Kansas City’s offense now take over. Just the third fumble of the season for McCaffrey.

1Q, 10:16 — 49ers 0, Chiefs 0: Chiefs move the ball just six yards on three plays as the 49ers defense showed it was ready. Greenlaw assisted on two tackles. Kansas City punts to 49ers’ 24-yard line.

1Q, 6:28 — 49ers 0, Chiefs 0: Trent Williams flagged twice on that drive, putting the 49ers in a spot where they had to try and come back from a 2nd and 27. Brock Purdy gets some yards back, but the 49ers have to punt on 4th and 12 (after a false start call). Purdy is 5-for-5 for 5 for 67 yards. After a 54-yard punt by Mitch Wishnowsky, Kansas City takes over at its own 11.

1Q, 3:53 — 49ers 0, Chiefs 0: 49ers defense continues its impressive start, as the Chiefs manage one first down but get no further. Young with a sack, and Warner and Gregory with tackles. San Francisco has shown an ability to get to Mahomes, which is absolutely critical. After a huge Chiefs punt, 49ers take over at their own 17.

49ers rookie sets Super Bowl record with opening score vs. Chiefs https://t.co/VEzdzVd7Qe

— Mercury News (@mercnews) February 12, 2024

2Q, 14:48 — 49ers 3, Chiefs 0: 49ers are driving the ball, and will have a 2nd and 10 at the Chiefs’ 33 to start the second quarter. Purdy was 8 of 10 for 105 yards in the first quarter. After a pair of incomplete passes, Jake Moody sets a new Super Bowl record with a 55-yard field goal, capping the 10-play, 46-yard drive and giving the Niners the lead.

2Q, 14:48 — 49ers 3, Chiefs 0: 49ers catch a big break. Isiah Pacheco fumbles after he’s tackled by Deommodore Lenoir. Javon Hargrave recovers at the Niners’ 8. Turnover happens after Tashaun Gipson lost coverage, allowing a 52-yard reception to Mecole Hardman, giving K.C. the ball at SF’s 9.

2Q, 9:16 — 49ers 3, Chiefs 0: 49ers get the benefit of a roughing penalty against the Chief, but the post-turnover drive largely goes nowhere. After a punt, KC takes over at its own 20-yard line. Dre Greenlaw might be seriously injured, as he stumbled coming onto the field.

Dre Greenlaw appeared to injure himself jogging back onto the field pic.twitter.com/p3nwmTUsfO

— NFL on CBS (@NFLonCBS) February 12, 2024

2Q, 7:49 — 49ers 3, Chiefs 0: Niners hold Mahomes and Co. The 49ers pressured him into a three-and-out, with Chase Young prompting an intentional-grounding penalty and Arik Armstead delivering a third-down sack. 49ers take over at their own 33.

KYLE SHANAHAN IS IN HIS BAG pic.twitter.com/s1GFoFRzf8

— NFL on CBS (@NFLonCBS) February 12, 2024

2Q, 4:23 — 49ers 10, Chiefs 0: What a play call by Kyle Shanahan, as Jauan Jennings, a QB at Blackman High School in Murfreesboro, Tenn., takes a lateral from Purdy, then fires back across the field to McCaffrey, who races in 21 yards out for the game’s first touchdown. Play caps a 67-yard drive. Moody extra point is good.

2Q, 0:20 — 49ers 10, Chiefs 3: An answer from the Chiefs after that 49ers touchdown. Mahomes drives Kansas City 65 yards on 13 plays but is sacked by Armstead for a 1-yard loss on third down. Butker hits the 28-yard field goal, and the lead is at seven points.half,

In the first half, Mahomes went 11 of 13 for 123 yards for the first half. Purdy is 10 of 15, also for 123 yards. Travis Kelce has one catch for one yard.

HALFTIME: 49ers 10, Chiefs 3.

3Q, 13:30 — 49ers 10, Chiefs 3: Mahomes is forced from the pocket and overthrows his receiver, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and is intercepted by Ji’Ayir Brown. 49ers take over at the Chiefs 44.

3Q, 12:31 — 49ers 10, Chiefs 3: 49ers can’t take advantage of the great field position, go three and out, and punt the ball to the Chiefs’ 2-yard line.

3Q, 10:45 — 49ers 10, Chiefs 3: Chiefs coach Andy Reid does not challenge the spot on Travis Kelce’s catch, which is ruled down at K.C.’s 11-yard line. and on 3rd and 1, Mahomes calls a timeout. 49ers’ defense comes up big again. K.C. punts to the 49ers’ 36-yard line. Could be a big turn of events.

Andy Reid not challenging the spot then calling timeout!!!

— Pat Leonard (@PLeonardNYDN) February 12, 2024

3Q, 9:10 — 49ers 10, Chiefs 3: Chiefs have made the necessary adjustments on defense. Looks like Deebo Samuel went down with a possible hamstring issue. The 49ers, with just 5 yards in their last two drives, will have to punt regardless.

3Q, 5:01 — 49ers 10, Chiefs 6: Mahomes started to find a rhythm but the 49ers call an all-out blitz on third down. The decision pays off, forcing 4th down and Butker into a 57-yard field goal try. He hits it, and the Chiefs are down by four. Feels like a huge moment now for the 49ers offense to try and respond.

3Q, 4:11 — 49ers 10, Chiefs 6: 49ers offense has done nothing in three drives this half. Chiefs have figured some things out. Five yards allowed in three drives.

3Q, 2:28 — Chiefs 13, 49ers 10: Impressive series for the 49ers defense. Staying disciplined against Mahomes. Forced a short throw on third down. The punt GOES OFF THE BACK FOOT of Darrell Luter Jr. Chiefs recover, and on the next play, Mahomes finds Valdes-Scantling open in the end zone for a 16-yard touchdown. Chiefs have their first lead.

END THIRD QUARTER: Chiefs 13, 49ers 10. The 49ers are driving and have the ball and first down on Kansas City’s 42-yard line.

TOUCHDOWN 49ERS pic.twitter.com/PrmUlr15zn

— NFL on CBS (@NFLonCBS) February 12, 2024

4Q, 11:22 — 49ers 16, Chiefs 13: Purdy and the 49ers answer back in crucial fashion, moving the ball down inside the red zone. McCaffrey is dropped for a one-yard loss on third down, but Kittle gets the necessary yardage on 4th and short. Jennings then WITH THE TOUCHDOWN CATCH. Big response for the 49ers. Jennings is having a monster game. Clutch. But the extra point is blocked. Could be huge.

4Q, 5:46 — 49ers 16, Chiefs 16: What a game this has been. Chiefs offense moves the ball 68 yards on eight plays down to the 49ers’ 3. San Francisco’s defense holds and forces a Butker field goal. We’re tied with under six minutes to go. What a game! Did we say that already?

4Q, 1:53 — 49ers 19, Chiefs 16: The biggest 49ers’ drive since THE DRIVE? San Francisco moves the ball 40 yards on five plays to bring it to the two-minute warning. On 3rd and 5, a pass to Jennings is incomplete. Moody makes a 53-yard field goal to give the 49ers the lead.

4Q, 0:03 — 49ers 19, Chiefs 19: Mahomes surgically moves the Chiefs’ offense down to the 49ers’ 36-yard line with 40 seconds left, well inside Butker’s range. Four plays later, it’s on the 49ers’ 11-yard line. First down with 10 seconds left. Timeout 49ers. Chiefs settle for the field goal after an incomplete pass. We’re going to OT!

OVERTIME, 7:22 — 49ers 22, Chiefs 19: 49ers drive was going nowhere before the Chiefs were called for holding. Keeps the drive alive. Automatic first down. The 49ers pick up another first down. Kittle is out with a shoulder injury.  A short Purdy pass goes to McCaffrey for 24 yards, McCaffrey then picks up another 8. After two penalties, 49ers Purdy completes a pass to Juszczyk for a first down. On 3rd and 4 at KC’s 9, Purdy’s pass falls incomplete. The 49ers kick a 27-yard field goal to take the lead.

OVERTIME, 0:03 — Chiefs 25, 49ers 22: 49ers defense forces a 4th and 1 by the Chiefs at the KC 34. They’re one play away. Mahomes scrambles for eight yards to Kansas City’s 42. On 3rd and 6, the Chiefs convert. With the ball at their own 37, and with the Chiefs facing 2nd and 6, the 49ers call timeout. Now 3rd and 1 after a short pass to Pacheco. Mahomes scrambles for 19 yards to San Francisco’s 13. Huge play. Another Pacheco run. Pass to Kelce gives the Chiefs the ball on the 49ers 3. Kansas City scores on the next play, and wins the Super Bowl. A classic. But what a heartbreak for the 49ers.

"JACKPOT KANSAS CITY!"pic.twitter.com/AM0DtgaKXK

— NFL on CBS (@NFLonCBS) February 12, 2024