Manchester City triumphed over Chelsea 1-0 to clinch the FA Cup title on May 16, 2026, at Wembley Stadium in London, ending a three-year wait for the trophy.
Why it matters: This victory marks Manchester City's return to FA Cup glory after two consecutive seasons of finishing as runners-up. It also solidifies Pep Guardiola's legacy as one of the most successful managers in the club's history.
Manchester City secured their first FA Cup win since the 2022-2023 season, overcoming previous disappointments in the finals.
The win adds to City's collection of major trophies this season, having already claimed the League Cup.
Guardiola has now won the FA Cup three times during his tenure with City.
Driving the news: The match took place in front of a packed crowd at Wembley, with both teams eager to secure the prestigious trophy. City’s Antoine Semenyo scored the decisive goal in the 72nd minute, utilizing a clever backheel shot from a cutback by Erling Haaland.
City dominated possession throughout the match, maintaining about 60% of the ball but struggled to convert their chances into goals during the first half.
Chelsea, aiming for their ninth FA Cup title, had a mixed performance, failing to capitalize on scoring opportunities.
Both teams displayed strong defensive tactics, leading to a scoreless first half.
State of play: The final was characterized by a tense atmosphere and tactical battles on both sides. City started strong but faced a resilient Chelsea defense.
In the first half, Chelsea's João Pedro had a promising chance but failed to finish, slipping at a key moment.
City's Haaland had a goal disallowed for offside earlier in the match, which added to the pressure as they sought to break the deadlock.
After halftime adjustments, City made a tactical switch, bringing in Ryan Cherki to bolster their attacking front.
The big picture: This FA Cup win is part of a broader narrative of Manchester City's dominance in English football under Guardiola, who continues to lead the team to success.
City has now won 16 major trophies since Guardiola's arrival, demonstrating a consistent level of excellence.
Chelsea, on the other hand, ended the season without any silverware, marking a disappointing campaign for the club.
As City continues to compete in the Premier League, they remain in contention for the title, sitting just two points behind Arsenal with two matches left to play.
What they're saying: The victory sparked celebrations among City players and fans alike, highlighting the significance of the win.
Guardiola praised his team's resilience, stating, "We showed character and determination to come back stronger this season."
Semenyo expressed his joy, saying, "Scoring the winning goal in such a big match is a dream come true for me."
Chelsea’s manager acknowledged the disappointment but emphasized the need to rebuild and focus on the future.
By the numbers: The match statistics paint a picture of City's dominance and Chelsea's struggles.
City registered 15 shots, with 5 on target, compared to Chelsea's 7 shots, only 2 of which were on target.
Possession stats showed City at 60%, indicating their control throughout the match.
This FA Cup win is Manchester City's 7th in the club's history, reinforcing their status as one of the top teams in England.
What's next: Following this victory, Manchester City will turn their focus back to the Premier League, where they aim to close the gap on Arsenal.
City has two remaining matches in the league, with a chance to secure the title if they win both.
Meanwhile, Chelsea will need to regroup and assess their squad as they prepare for the next season, aiming to return to competitive form.
The FA Cup victory adds momentum for City as they look to continue their successful run in domestic competitions.