Manchester City 2-1 Southampton result - Nico Gonzalez winner sends Pep Guardiola's side to fourth successive FA Cup final and breaks Saints hearts

The Emirates FA Cup / Semi-final

Wembley / 25.04.2026

Manchester City

Finished

Southampton

J. Doku(82')
N. González(87')

F. Azaz(79')

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Highlights

CITY OVERCOME SOUTHAMPTON SCARE TO REACH FOURTH SUCCESSIVE FA CUP FINAL

Nico Gonzalez’s 25-yard piledriver sent Manchester City to a fourth straight Emirates FA Cup final in a last-gasp 2-1 triumph over Southampton at Wembley Stadium.

Championship promotion hopefuls Saints arrived on a 20-game unbeaten streak and proved a tough nut to crack, going toe-to-toe with Premier League title challengers City throughout the first half.

Leo Scienza had the ball in the net for Tonda Eckert's men after just 13 minutes, sending the loud and proud Saints following wild. But the forward was rightfully denied by the linesman’s flag.

City’s Tijjani Reijnders rattled the post midway through the first period but Saints weren’t fazed and continued to play without fear, pressing high and looking a threat on the transition.

But Guardiola’s team talk - and City’s persistence - appeared to have a strong impact, as the team in sky blue peppered the Saints box after the interval and missed several big chances through Reijnders, Omar Marmoush and Phil Foden.

However, just as it seemed a City goal was inevitable, Southampton broke the deadlock against the run of play, Finn Azaz curling in a beauty on 79 minutes to spark bedlam in the Saints end.

It was a goal worthy of winning any encounter, though City were ruthless to turn the game on its head in a frantic end to a thrilling tie under the arch.

Jeremy Doku struck City level in the 82nd minute to cap off an excellent impact off the bench, riding his luck as his shot took a big deflection off Southampton defender James Bree.

It was then a moment to remember for Gonzalez, who rocketed in the winner from distance, breaking Southampton hearts.

Pep Guardiola’s side become the first to ever reach four successive finals in this competition, while the legendary City head coach will make his 24th Wembley appearance at the final thanks to their late flurry.

Highlights: Gonzalez thunderbolt sees City edge past Southampton to reach fourth successive final

Video credit: TNT Sports

GONZALEZ IMITATES GERRARD

Ange Postecoglous reckons Nico Gonzalez's strike gave shades of fellow TNT Sports pundit Steven Gerrard.

Postecoglou told TNT Sports: "It was a Stevie G special.

"You know how important it is when you're faced with such a congested final third, sometimes it does take that bit of responsibility from one player.

"You know with City, they like to work it around the box, but Nico sees and sensed the opportunity and he changed the course of the game."

GONZALEZ REACTS TO WINNING GOAL

It's not often Nico Gonzalez scores, let alone from such distance.

In fact, it was only his fourth goal in City colours.

Gonzalez told TNT Sports: "It was really special for me, as I'm not used to scoring these types of goals, and the winning goal. To do so here at Wembley, it's amazing.

"Obviously, every players wants to play as many minutes as possible, but the competition for places here is really hard.

"I accept the minutes that I have the chance to play, and I think this is the third or fourth time I've been here. It's the first time I've been able to start, so to score the winning goal is amazing."

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The Emirates FA Cup

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23/04/2026 at 11:12

WATCH: GONZALEZ WINNER

Here's how Nico Gonzalez won it for City.

When I said earlier on that it was a rocket, I wasn't joking.

‘Pick that one out’ - Gonzalez thunders home late City strike to break Southampton hearts

Video credit: TNT Sports

WATCH: DOKU EQUALISER

It took a big deflection off Bree, but Doku got his reward for determination in the Saints box.

'Heartbreak in the Southampton end' - Doku's deflected strike claws Man City level in FA Cup clash

Video credit: TNT Sports

POSTECOGLOU: 'CITY ARE RELENTLESS'

Former Tottenham Hotspur boss Ange Postecoglou told TNT Sports: "Pep Guardiola was up for this game, there was no sense that this was just another semi-final.

"It's so hard to get to the top, but they've managed to sustain those levels for a number of years.

"There's a drive inside Pep that very few people have. It's the reason he's above everyone else. He's created an environment in his pursuit for excellence.

"The FA Cup is usually harder, as it only needs one off-day in any knockout competition and you miss out. He's again showed why he's the best, and that transfers through to his team."

DOKU: SAINTS WILL BE PROMOTED

Jeremy Doku, who netted City's deflected equaliser for 1-1, thinks Southampton put up a remarkable fight and deserve to be in the top flight next season.

Doku told TNT Sports: "The last 20 minutes of the game were unbelievable, I still have to catch my breath.

"It's a third final in three years for me and I'm so grateful. I'm honoured to play in places like this.

"We're so happy, I'm not surprised they are 19 games unbeaten. I think they will get to the Premier League."

On Nico Gonzalez's stunning strike, Doku added: "I'm surprised! What a goal, I'm going to have to tell him to shoot more!"

WATCH: AZAZ CURLS SAINTS IN FRONT

A second look at what was a remarkable strike from Azaz, to spark pandemonium in the Southampton end.

‘What a hit!’ - Azaz nets ‘goal of his life’ to spark pandemonium in Southampton end

Video credit: TNT Sports

CITY 'GET THE JOB DONE'

Saints put up a brilliant fight, but it wasn't to be as Wembley regulars City proved too much in the final 10 minutes.

Ally McCoist told TNT Sports: "What a great semi-final, fully enjoyed it. City got the job done, and that's all that mattered.

"But what spirit Southampton have got, you can see why they've gone so long unbeaten in the Championship.""

Full time

FULL-TIME: MANCHESTER CITY 2-1 SOUTHAMPTON

It's all over at Wembley!

Manchester City win the late, late show, completing a dramatic turnaround to progress to the Emirates FA Cup final for a fourth successive season.

Southampton, who briefly took the lead through a brilliant Finn Azaz opener, are heartbroken.

Saints see their 20-game unbeaten streak under Tonda Eckert come to an end, however they can hold their heads very high indeed.

90+6'

SAINTS DESPERATE

Saints have a free-kick in their own half and it's hurled into the box by Matsuki.

City clear away and Jander then does all he can to progress down the left. But again, City defend it well.

Can the Championship side muster up one last chance? Or is that it?

90+5'

LETHAL FROM GONZALEZ

There was simply no stopping Nico Gonzalez's strike.

TNT Sports commentator Darren Fletcher said: "Pick that one out! A stunner from Nico Gonzalez. He hardly scores for Manchester City, but my goodness has he delivered there. There are tears in the Southampton end."

Steven Gerrard added: "Take a bow. What a hit. It stays hit and the net nearly comes off. You can put two or three goalkeepers in there and they're not saving them."

90+4'

SEVEN MINUTES ADDED

We've got just three minutes left of the seven allocated for stoppage time.

With City high up in the Saints half, it would take quite something for a late twist. But it's still possible.

90+1'

OFF THE LINE!

Southampton goalkeeper Peretz is in no man's land as he sprints and fails to intercept the ball on the halfway line, allowing Doku to dribble into Southampton's half.

But several Saints defenders sprint back, forcing Doku to square to Savinho. It's then cleared off the line heroically at the last moment.

88'

GOAL!! MANCHESTER CITY 2-1 SOUTHAMPTON (GONZALEZ)

Wow, wow, wow!

Manchester City may have just won it at the death, and that goal might just beat the strike from Azaz!

Nico Gonzalez thumps in an absolute rocket from 30 yards, picking out the top left corner.

Doku claims the assist but it was all in the strike from Gonzalez. It had so much power.

The City fans in the east of Wembley go ballistic.

87'

SOMETIMES YOU NEED A SLIDE OF LUCK

On Doku's goal, Ally McCoist told TNT Sports: "Doku tries his luck, and it's the one thing he does get. It wrong-foots the goalkeeper. It comes off Bree and completely changes the direction of the ball."

86'

FINGERTIP SAVE

What a strike that is from Matsuki, but an even better save from Trafford!

Saints think they're back ahead almost immediately but Trafford pulls off a wonderful fingertip save to deny Matsuki's shot from outside the area.

This game has come to life in the past few minutes.

83'

GOAL!! MANCHESTER CITY 1-1 SOUTHAMPTON (DOKU)

City respond! That Saints lead didn't last long!

Jeremy Doku, a threat ever since he came on, cuts inside from a Reijnders pass and sees a shot deflect wickedly off James Bree, past Peretz.

Parity is restored and we have a game on at Wembley.

Goal

J. Doku

Manchester City

82'

WHAT A HIT

On Azaz's goal, Darren Fletcher told TNT Sports: "It's Finn Azaz with the goal of his life for Southampton, who lead Manchester City with an absolute beauty!"

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