Queen Sacrifice for Checkmate

I've never posted a game here before, and if I do in the future, I will more than likely post losses.  However, here is a win from a live chess game I played earlier today.  15 minutes each, no increment.

Nice game :) I loved the queen sacrifice!

Wet blanket time! I'm pretty sure 26. Qf8+ Be8 27. Qxe8# wins the game much more simply...not that a queen sacrifice isn't nice, but this one doesn't seem sound. Black can evade mate for the time being by 26. ..Qxe1+ 27. Rxe1 fxg6; though he'll still be down a piece (plus a pawn now, too) and hence is probably only prolonging the inevitable. On the other hand, I think 26. ...Rxc1 gives Black equalizing chances, though the position is kinda messy and I'm not sure. (EDIT: No, 26. ...Rxc1 doesn't work, there are quite a few ways for White to crush Black in that line. Ah well.)

ITT I demonstrate mate-blindness. Lol, can't believe I missed the instant mate.

Hah, oops!  Looks like I missed the mate in one as well!

I actually did see Qf8+ Be8 Qxe8# during the game, but I initially thought my line was just as good.  Didn't notice the Qxe1 response that avoids mate for a while.

I still have a lot of work to do if I hope to make it to a respectable level someday!