Nico Gonzalez’s beautiful strike fired Manchester Metropolis right into a file fourth consecutive FA Cup ultimate as Pep Guardiola’s males produced a late fightback to beat Southampton 2-1 on Saturday.
The Saints have been heading in the direction of a primary FA Cup ultimate since 2003 when Finn Azaz’s good end put the Championship facet in entrance 11 minutes from time.
Nevertheless, Metropolis averted the identical destiny that Arsenal suffered within the quarter-finals and stay heading in the right direction for a home treble.
Jeremy Doku’s deflected effort rapidly levelled earlier than Gonzalez rifled in from lengthy vary three minutes from time.
Two objectives for @ManCity in 5 minutes and Nico González places them forward!
📺 @BBCMOTD, @footballontnt and @SportsonMax pic.twitter.com/nJcfQOiZKw
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) April 25, 2026
Metropolis will face Leeds or Chelsea within the ultimate on Could 16.
“No workforce has made 4 finals in a row. It is extraordinary and hopefully we are able to arrive with a superb momentum,” stated Guardiola.
Defeat ends Southampton’s 20-game unbeaten run that has propelled them into rivalry for a direct return to the Premier League.
The Saints additionally knocked out Metropolis’s title rivals Arsenal within the earlier spherical and can rue an excellent likelihood missed to return to Wembley subsequent month.
Guardiola made eight adjustments from the facet that went prime of the Premier League with a 1-0 victory over Burnley on Wednesday.
Erling Haaland, Bernardo Silva and Doku have been amongst these to overlook out and Metropolis took 45 minutes to search out their toes.
Leo Scienza discovered the underside nook early on, however Southampton’s pleasure was reduce quick by the offside flag.
Metropolis got here out for the second half a modified workforce even earlier than Guardiola turned to his bench to unleash the celebs he had saved in reserve.
Omar Marmoush missed his likelihood to shine on a uncommon begin forward of Haaland.
The Egyptian spooned the most effective of Metropolis’s possibilities over the bar earlier than he was changed by Haaland.
Guardiola additionally launched Doku, Savinho and Nico O’Reilly to interrupt down Southampton’s mass ranks of well-marshalled defence.
Daniel Peretz repelled Gonzalez’s highly effective effort earlier than Southampton pounced to take a shock lead on a uncommon second-half foray ahead.
Kuryu Matsuki fed Azaz, who spun earlier than unleashing an unstoppable effort into the highest nook.
Finn Azaz with a marvel aim proper in entrance of the @southamptonFC followers!
📺 @BBCMOTD, @footballontnt and @SportsonMax pic.twitter.com/Ydug3qmwn0
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) April 25, 2026
Nevertheless, Southampton couldn’t maintain on as Metropolis roared again to succeed in the ultimate as soon as extra.
Doku’s effort from the sting of the field deflected off James Bree to wrong-foot Peretz.
The Southampton goalkeeper was then left helpless as Gonzalez’s piledriver accomplished the comeback.
Savinho ought to have added a 3rd in stoppage time after Peretz got here ahead in quest of an equaliser and left his aim gaping, however Matsuki raced again to clear off the road.
Metropolis, although, did simply sufficient to stay heading in the right direction to match their very own achievement of being the one English facet to win the Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup, in 2018/19.
