Staff Reporter
City trailed with minutes to go, but two goals in four minutes saw Guardiola’s men overturn Southampton’s lead to book their place at Wembley.
Manchester: Manchester City snatched a dramatic 2-1 victory over Southampton at Wembley, coming from behind in the final ten minutes to reach the FA Cup Final in one of the semi-final’s most memorable finishes in recent memory.
For long stretches, it was Southampton who looked the more likely to advance. The Championship side defended with discipline and pressed with intensity, keeping City at arm’s length and growing in belief as the match wore on. Pep Guardiola’s side, for all their possession, struggled to find a way through.
The deadlock finally broke in the 79th minute — and it was the underdogs who struck first. Finn Azaz produced a stunning long-range effort that arrowed into the top corner, sending the Southampton end into pandemonium and putting the Saints on the brink of a historic upset.
City’s response was swift. Four minutes later, substitute Jérémy Doku drove at the Southampton defence and fired a shot that deflected off James Bree and into the net. It was fortunate in its execution, but City cared little — the equaliser had shifted the entire complexion of the tie.
And with extra time approaching, Nico González delivered the moment that settled it. The midfielder stepped back and unleashed a thunderous strike from outside the area that gave the goalkeeper no chance, sending City’s supporters wild and ending Southampton’s brave cup adventure.
It was a cruel end for the Saints, who had defended heroically for most of the afternoon. But City showed why they remain the standard-bearers in knockout football — clinical, composed, and lethal when it mattered most.
