Manchester City secured the 2025–26 FA Cup trophy with a hard-fought 1–0 victory over Chelsea at Wembley Stadium, snapping their two-year losing streak in the final of football’s oldest knockout competition.
A spectacular, instinctive second-half breakthrough proved to be the difference in an intense, tactical battle under the arches.
Semenyo Magic Breaks Deadlock
After a tense and largely gridlocked first half where high-quality chances were at a premium, the game burst into life in the second period. Chelsea enjoyed a strong spell of possession, even forcing Rodri to clear a header from Moisés Caicedo off the goal line.
However, Pep Guardiola’s side reestablished control, and the defining moment arrived in the 71st minute. Erling Haaland delivered a cross into the penalty area that initially looked to be slightly behind Antoine Semenyo. Showing incredible intuition, Semenyo connected with a brilliant backheel flick, wrong-footing the Chelsea defense and sending the ball into the far corner past Robert Sánchez.
Late Drama at Wembley
Chelsea, led by interim manager Calum McFarlane, refused to back down and immediately threw bodies forward. Enzo Fernández saw a dangerous effort fly inches over the crossbar, while second-half substitute Pedro Neto drew a spectacular save from City goalkeeper James Trafford.
Chelsea also had multiple appeals for a penalty waved away by the referee and VAR, notably when João Pedro and Jorrel Hato went down under heavy physical challenges from Abdukodir Khusanov.
As Chelsea and a flurry of attacking substitutions from Chelsea—including the introduction of Liam Delap and Alejandro Garnacho—Manchester City’s defensive line held firm through five minutes of stoppage time.
With this victory, Manchester City clinches their eighth FA Cup crown and secures a domestic cup double for the 2025–26 season, adding to the Carabao Cup they lifted earlier this year.
