Manchester City are heading to the FA Cup final for the fourth consecutive season, but not without a major scare at Wembley. Pep Guardiola’s side were pushed to the brink by Championship outfit Southampton, who came within minutes of producing one of the shocks of the season.

The underdogs stunned the favourites in the 79th minute when Finn Azaz curled a superb effort into the net, sending the Southampton fans into raptures and silencing the City end. At that point, the dream of a famous upset felt very real.

Just three minutes later, Jérémy Doku restored parity, his effort taking a fortunate deflection to wrong-foot the goalkeeper. The momentum shifted instantly, with City piling on the pressure as extra time loomed.

Then came the decisive moment of brilliance. Nico González unleashed a stunning strike from 25 metres, rifling the ball into the top corner to complete the turnaround and book Manchester City’s place in yet another FA Cup final.

2025-26, England - FA Cup

Manchester City - Southampton 2:1 (0:0)
Goals: Azaz, 79 (0:1); Doku J., 82 (1:1); Nico González, 87 (2:1)

Manchester City: Trafford; Stones; Ake; Aït-Nouri (O'Reilly, 71); Reijnders (Bernardo Silva, 86); Kovacic M. (Doku J., 58); Nico González; Matheus Nunes; Foden (Sávio Moreira, 58); Cherki; Marmoush (Håland E., 71)
Substitution: Sávio Moreira (from 58); Doku J. (from 58); O'Reilly (from 71); Håland E. (from 71); Bernardo Silva (from 86)
Bench: Donnarumma G.; Guehi; Khusanov; Lewis R.

Southampton: Peretz Da.; Harwood-Bellis; Bree J. (Archer C., 89); Wood N.; Welington (Matsuki, 76); Jander; Bragg (Charles Sh., 61); Azaz; Scienza; Fellows (Edozie, 89); Stewart R. (Larin C., 61)
Substitution: Charles Sh. (from 61); Larin C. (from 61); Matsuki (from 76); Edozie (from 89); Archer C. (from 89)
Bench: Long G.; Quarshie; Jelert; Robinson Jay
Yellow Cards: Harwood-Bellis 90