“Against the run of play, Finn Azaz gave Southampton a shock lead with a composed right-footed finish from outside the box, capitalising on a moment of hesitation in the City defence following sustained second-half pressure.”
Pivotal“Doku levelled for Manchester City from outside the box after a corner routine, with Tijjani Reijnders threading the assist following a blocked effort by Reilly — the equaliser that stopped the upset in its tracks.”
Pivotal“Nico González sealed City's passage to Wembley with a stunning right-footed effort from outside the box into the top left corner, assisted by Doku from another corner routine as Southampton's defensive resolve finally gave way.”
Pivotal“Taylor Harwood-Bellis was booked for a foul as Southampton, already beaten, showed the frustration of a side that had come agonisingly close to one of the great FA Cup semi-final upsets.”
Manchester City
Southampton
Outstanding performance
Manchester City•AttackerManchester City dominated possession and territory for the vast majority of this FA Cup semi-final — 70% of the ball, 26 shots to Southampton's four — yet it was the relegation-threatened Saints who broke the deadlock. Finn Azaz's composed finish from outside the box in the 79th minute stunned the Etihad and threatened one of the competition's great upsets. City's response was immediate and ruthless. Jérémy Doku, introduced as a substitute early in the second half, pulled the hosts level three minutes later with a precise effort from range after a corner routine, before Nico González sealed the tie in the 87th minute with a fierce shot into the top left corner — also from outside the box, also from a corner. Southampton battled hard defensively, registering 25 tackles to City's six, but their resistance crumbled in the space of eight frantic minutes. For City, it is a return to Wembley; for Southampton, a gutting defeat after coming so close to the unthinkable.
Taylor Harwood-BellisYellow CardTaylor Harwood-Bellis of Southampton receives a yellow card for a foul.
Rayan Cherki's right-footed shot from outside the box is blocked. The attempt was assisted by Jérémy Doku.
Rayan Cherki's right-footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Savinho's left-footed shot from the center of the box is blocked. Jérémy Doku provided the assist.
Southampton wins a corner after John Stones concedes.
Southampton wins a corner after Nathan Aké concedes.
Substitution for Southampton: Samuel Edozie comes on for Tom Fellows.
Substitution for Southampton: Cameron Archer comes on for James Bree.
assist: Jérémy Doku
Goal! Manchester City lead Southampton 2-1. Nico González scores for Manchester City with a right-footed shot from outside the box into the top left corner, assisted by Jérémy Doku after a corner.
Nico González's right-footed shot from outside the box is blocked. John Stones provided the assist.
Manchester City win a corner after James Bree concedes.
Jérémy Doku from Manchester City wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul committed by James Bree of Southampton.
Substitution for Manchester City: Bernardo Silva comes on for Tijjani Reijnders.
Southampton win a corner after James Trafford concedes.
Kuryu Matsuki's left-footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top center of the goal by James Trafford. The attempt was assisted by Cyle Larin.
assist: Tijjani Reijnders
Goal! The match is now 1-1 as Jérémy Doku scores for Manchester City with a right-footed shot from outside the box into the bottom right corner, assisted by Tijjani Reijnders after a corner.
Corner awarded to Manchester City after Daniel Peretz concedes.
Reilly's left-footed shot from the center of the box is blocked, with an assist from Jérémy Doku.
Rayan Cherki wins a free kick for Manchester City in the attacking half.
Foul committed by Caspar Jander of Southampton.
assist: Kuryu Matsuki
Goal! Southampton takes the lead 1-0 with Finn Azaz scoring from outside the box with a right-footed shot.
Substitution for Southampton: Kuryu Matsuki comes on for Welington due to an injury.
There is a delay in the match due to an injury involving Welington from Southampton.
Manchester City win a corner after Shea Charles concedes.
Jérémy Doku's right-footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Tijjani Reijnders provided the assist.
Finn Azaz is caught offside for Southampton.
Tijjani Reijnders from Manchester City misses a left-footed shot from the center of the box, sending it to the right.
Rayan Cherki's right-footed shot from the center of the box is blocked. Nico González provided the assist.
Nico González's right-footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the center of the goal by Daniel Peretz. The attempt was assisted by Rayan Cherki.
Reilly comes on for Rayan Aït-Nouri.
Substitution for Manchester City: Erling Haaland comes on for Omar Marmoush.
Foul by Nico González of Manchester City.
Cyle Larin wins a free kick for Southampton in the defensive half.
Rayan Cherki of Manchester City misses a right-footed shot from outside the box to the left, assisted by Nico González.
Manchester City win a corner after Daniel Peretz concedes.
Shea Charles from Southampton wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul committed by Omar Marmoush of Manchester City.
Savinho's left-footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner by Daniel Peretz. The attempt was assisted by Rayan Cherki.
Manchester City win a corner after Caspar Jander concedes.
Substitution for Southampton: Shea Charles comes on for Cameron Bragg.
Substitution for Southampton: Cyle Larin comes on for Ross Stewart.
Attempt missed by Omar Marmoush from Manchester City with a right-footed shot from the center of the box.
Manchester City win a corner after Welington concedes.
Tijjani Reijnders from Manchester City misses a right-footed shot from outside the box, just to the right, after an assist from Jérémy Doku.
Substitution for Manchester City: Savinho comes on for Phil Foden.
Substitution for Manchester City: Jérémy Doku comes on for Mateo Kovacic.
Matheus Nunes' right-footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked.
Rayan Cherki's left-footed shot from the center of the box is blocked. Matheus Nunes provided the assist.
Foul committed by Taylor Harwood-Bellis of Southampton.
Omar Marmoush from Manchester City wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt saved. Ross Stewart's right-footed shot from outside the box is saved.
Phil Foden from Manchester City misses the attempt with a left-footed shot from outside the box, sending it high and wide to the left. Rayan Cherki provided the assist after a set piece situation.
Foul by Taylor Harwood-Bellis of Southampton.
Omar Marmoush from Manchester City wins a free kick on the left wing.
Omar Marmoush misses an attempt with a header from the center of the box, sending it too high. Rayan Aït-Nouri provided the cross.
Corner awarded to Manchester City after Taylor Harwood-Bellis concedes.
Omar Marmoush's right-footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. The attempt was assisted by Nico González.
Foul committed by Taylor Harwood-Bellis of Southampton.
Omar Marmoush from Manchester City wins a free kick on the left wing.
Tom Fellows' right-footed shot from the center of the box is blocked.
The second half begins with the score at Manchester City 0, Southampton 0.
The first half ends with the score at Manchester City 0, Southampton 0.
The first half ends with Manchester City and Southampton tied at 0-0.
Foul committed by Rayan Cherki against Manchester City.
Welington wins a free kick for Southampton in the defensive half.
The fourth official has indicated there will be 2 minutes of added time.
Phil Foden wins a free kick for Manchester City in the defensive half.
Foul committed by Ross Stewart for Southampton.
Mateo Kovacic wins a free kick for Manchester City in the attacking half.
Foul committed by Caspar Jander of Southampton.
Tijjani Reijnders of Manchester City misses a right-footed shot from the left side of the box, sending it to the left. The attempt was assisted by John Stones, who delivered a cross after a corner.
Corner awarded to Manchester City after Daniel Peretz concedes.
Omar Marmoush's left-footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner by Daniel Peretz. The attempt was assisted by Mateo Kovacic with a through ball.
Foul committed by Tijjani Reijnders of Manchester City.
Ross Stewart from Southampton wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Rayan Aït-Nouri of Manchester City.
Tom Fellows from Southampton wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul committed by Rayan Cherki against Manchester City.
Tom Fellows of Southampton wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Omar Marmoush of Manchester City.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis from Southampton wins a free kick on the left wing.
Rayan Cherki's right-footed shot from outside the box is blocked. The attempt was assisted by Phil Foden.
Léo Scienza is caught offside for Southampton.
Mateo Kovacic from Manchester City misses a right-footed shot from the right side of the box, sending the ball to the left. John Stones provided the assist.
Omar Marmoush's header from the right side of the box is blocked.
Foul committed by Tijjani Reijnders of Manchester City.
Léo Scienza from Southampton wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Léo Scienza of Southampton is caught offside.
Omar Marmoush is caught offside for Manchester City.
Manchester City win a corner after Welington concedes.
Omar Marmoush is caught offside for Manchester City.
How entertaining was this match?
Manchester City host Southampton at Wembley in a compelling FA Cup semi-final clash, with Pep Guardiola's Premier League giants chasing a domestic treble against a resilient Championship side on a remarkable 20-game unbeaten run. This David vs. Goliath showdown offers the tantalising possibility of a cup upset, even as City enter as overwhelming favourites on the back of stunning wins over Arsenal, Chelsea, and Liverpool.
