Luke Littler final - 16-year-old loses to Luke Humphries at World Championship

Good night

Well, that's that. What a brilliant end to a wonderful tournament.

Wayne Mardle makes World Darts title prediction as last-eight gets underway

Luke Littler took the World Championship by storm, downing Raymond van Barneveld and Rob Cross on the way to the final. But the 16-year-old could not get past a sensational and relentless Luke Humphries.

Still, a £200,000 cheque, a runners-up trophy and new-found fame isn't a half bad result for Littler.

Thanks for following, good night.

(AP)

Littler congratulates Humphries

Luke Littler is magnanimous in defeat, admitting he only had one minor regret from the way he played at Ally Pally. "It's been unbelievable. The one negative was I lost too many legs on my throw so Luke could break me,” he said. "Fair play to Luke, he deserves it.”

Asked about moving up the rankings, he added: "I would rather be in the top 32 than play the development tour. I am happy, top 32 and runner-up on my debut, it's unbelievable. I got to the final and might not get to another for the next five or 20 years. I can say I'm runner-up but I just want to go and win it."

Humphries pays tribute to Littler

Some classy words from Luke Humphries, who explains how special Luke Littler is, even in defeat.

“I’m not just saying this because it will please everyone," he said on stage to Sky Sports. "Luke has been an unbelievable talent – not just around the dart board. He has been fantastic with the media that has come about with him.

"He took defeat so well just then. He said ‘go and celebrate’. You will never see a more down to earth 16-year-old like him. He’s just something else. I really hope he’s in the Premier League. If he doesn’t want to play in it, then fair enough, but I think it would be a pleasure to play alongside him this year because he’s one of the best players in the world, there is no doubt about that.”

Littler collects his runners-up trophy

He is bitterly disappointed, but he still gets a huge ovation from the Ally Pally crowd.

What a run from Luke Littler...

The Teenage sensation has stunned the world with his performances and finishes runner-up in the World Darts Championship at just 16 years old.

Simply incredible. pic.twitter.com/9IIsTwulur

Gerwyn Price left red-faced after wearing ear defenders to block fans out — PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) January 3, 2024

What could have been

Luke Littler will be thinking about it, without a doubt. He had one dart at double two to go 5-2 up. He missed and Luke Humphries roared back, winning the next five sets.

It wasn't to be, but what an effort from the 16-year-old, who will no doubt be back.

Luke Humphries is world champion (7-4)

Luke Littler misses two darts at double seven and it costs him.

Luke Humphries takes out his double at the second time of asking and he wins. He drops down to his knees and the two players share a hug.

Humphries looks extremely emotional as he leaves the stage to hug his family in the crowd. Amazing performance from the 28-year-old, who is now £500,000 richer and is world No1. What a brilliant match.

LUKE HUMPHRIES IS WORLD CHAMPION!

Darting destiny fulfilled.

The world number one gets over the line against teenage sensation Luke Littler in a thrilling final! pic.twitter.com/IP6pPaWndm

— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) January 3, 2024

Littler 2-2 Humphries (4-6)

Luke Humphries is close now. He takes out 76 to move a leg away from the World Championship title (and £500,000).

Littler 2-1 Humphries (4-6)

Luke Littler takes out double 16 after pinning a 180 to stay in the match. He's still fighting out there.

Littler 1-1 Humphries (4-6)

Luke Humphries hits 140 to set up a shot at double tops. He misses, but he takes out double 10 to level things up.

Littler 1-0 Humphries (4-6)

Luke Littler takes the opener of the 11th set with double 10. It's the first time he's won the opener in the last five sets. Can he build on it?

Humphries leads 6-4

Luke Humphries is hitting a ludicrous number of trebles out there. He now has 21 180s by himself - three short of Peter Wright's record in a World Championship final - and he is now just a set away from his maiden win.

He takes out double 18 at the third time of asking to complete his fourth set in a row. Luke Littler had a dart at double two to go 5-2 up a while ago... Momentum is a funny thing.

(Getty Images)

Littler 1-2 Humphries (4-5)

Luke Humphries takes out 25 to go 2-1 up in the 10th set. It comes after Luke Littler had a shot at bullseye for a 124 check-out.

Littler 1-1 Humphries (4-5)

Luke Littler has missed a few goes at 170 tonight, but not this time. He pins two treble 20s and a bullseye to take the leg in some style.

That's the highest check-out in darts and he made it look easy!

Littler 0-1 Humphries (4-5)

Luke Humphries punishes his opponent for a miss at bullseye again. He is on a roll at the moment and Luke Littler needs to dig deep again.

Humphries goes 5-4 up

Three straight sets from Luke Humphries, who takes out double nine to go 5-4 up.

Luke Littler only just misses a go at bullseye for 170 just before, but he gives his opponent a clap of appreciation.

HUMPHRIES REGAINS THE LEAD!

A crucial moment as Luke Humphries squeezes in D9 to go 5-4 up!

Humphries leads for the first time since the third set!

https://t.co/f3RU9WTIoD#WCDarts | Final pic.twitter.com/LDnuw2fntj

— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) January 3, 2024

Littler 2-2 Humphries (4-4)

Luke Humphries misses three set darts at three different doubles! Luke Littler is back in the set.

Littler 1-2 Humphries (4-4)

Luke Littler misses two darts at double three, but moves to his side and holds his nerve with the third to take a leg.

Littler 0-2 Humphries (4-4)

Wow, another 108 from Luke Humphries, who doesn't worry that Luke Littler is sat on 40.

Humphries pins treble 19, single 19 and double 16.

Littler 0-1 Humphries (4-4)

Luke Humphries is cooking now! Luke Littler misses a dart at double tops and Humphries makes him pay by pinning 108 to break his throw.

Maddison enjoying his darts

James Maddison loves darts. He celebrates goals for Tottenham by pretending to throw darts - and it's no surprise to see him in the crowd at Ally Pally.

(PA)

Humphries levels up at 4-4

Wow, Luke Humphries takes out 121 with a bullseye to level it up at 4-4 in sets.

This is some match and the world No1 is showing just why he's so good.

HUMPHRIES DRAWS LEVEL!

Luke Humphries nails the bull to make it 4-4!

It's well and truly game on now!

https://t.co/f3RU9WTIoD#WCDarts | Final pic.twitter.com/VM4Ttc1toD

— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) January 3, 2024

Littler 1-2 Humphries (4-3)

Luke Littler takes out 25 after Luke Humphries misses a shot at bullseye for the set.

Can he get another leg to stay in the eighth set?

Littler 0-2 Humphries (4-3)

An 11-darter from Luke Humphries, who is scoring absolutely massive right now. He is one leg off levelling it up at 4-4 now. Momentum has shifted again.

Littler 0-1 Humphries (4-3)

Luke Humphries hits his 16th 180 of the match already on the way to cleaning up with a double 16.

Crouch enjoying the darts

Peter Crouch has tweeted his appreciation and he's not the only footballer loving it - Tottenham midfielder James Maddison is in the crowd tonight.

The darts

— Peter Crouch (@petercrouch) January 3, 2024

Humphries pulls one back at 4-3

Luke Littler misses a shot at double two for the set, after pinning successive treble 18s! The 16-year-old had to ask the referee what score he was on and the pause seemed to affect him.

Luke Humphries doesn't make a mistake, taking out his double 14 at the first attempt and this intriguing final takes another twist.

HUMPHRIES HANGING IN THERE!

A dramatic ending to set seven!

Luke Littler misses D2 for a 5-2 lead, allowing Luke Humphries to halve the deficit!

https://t.co/f3RU9WTIoD#WCDarts | Final pic.twitter.com/lMUtpwstMP

— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) January 3, 2024

Littler 2-2 Humphries (4-2)

Oh yesssss! Luke Littler takes out 122 to complete a 12-darter and level things up in the set. Lovely stuff.

Littler 1-2 Humphries (4-2)

A dramatic leg ends with another break of throw as Luke Humphries hits double tops.

He only got the opportunity after Luke Littler missed a shot at bullseye. That's three break of throws in a row.

Littler 1-1 Humphries (4-2)

Luke Humphries hits a brilliant 177 to set up a finish and then somehow messes up his finish, missing double two.

Luke Littler doesn't need a second invitation, finishing on double tops to break back.

Littler 0-1 Humphries (4-2)

Wow, a 170 finish from Luke Humphries! He's back in business. Brilliant stuff!