Manchester City has lifted the FA Cup, adding another significant trophy to their cabinet after a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, May 16, 2026. The decisive moment of the match came in the 72nd minute when forward Antoine Semenyo netted a spectacular, acrobatic back-heeled goal, which ultimately sealed the win for Pep Guardiola's side.
Semenyo's Moment of Magic Secures Treble Hopes
The final, which had been a tense affair with limited clear-cut chances for both teams, was brought to life by Semenyo's moment of brilliance. Receiving a cross from teammate Erling Haaland, Semenyo improvised with a flick of his heel, directing the ball low into the far corner beyond the reach of Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez. BBC Sport quoted Semenyo describing the goal as something that has happened in training and "happened perfectly today," adding, "It is a good finish, I can't lie." Chelsea's interim coach Calum McFarlane echoed the sentiment, calling it "a one in 100 goal" and acknowledging there was little his defense could do to stop it.
City's Domestic Dominance Continues
This FA Cup triumph is Manchester City's eighth in their history, placing them level with Chelsea, Liverpool, and Tottenham Hotspur on the all-time winners' list. More importantly, it keeps their pursuit of a domestic treble alive, having already secured the English League Cup earlier in the season. The victory also marks Guardiola's 17th major trophy during his tenure at City and his 35th career trophy overall. The team is currently in second place in the Premier League, trailing Arsenal by two points with two rounds remaining, and will face Bournemouth next on Tuesday.
Chelsea's Trophyless Campaign Confirmed
For Chelsea, the defeat signifies a disappointing end to a turbulent season, confirming they will finish trophyless. This comes just a year after their Club World Cup triumph and follows a campaign marred by managerial changes and inconsistent performances. The club entered the final under the stewardship of caretaker manager Calum McFarlane, highlighting the challenges faced throughout the season. Their recent record at Wembley has also been a point of concern, having lost their last three FA Cup finals and failed to score in their last four major cup finals at the stadium.
The final whistle at Wembley signals a triumphant end to the FA Cup campaign for Manchester City, while Chelsea faces a period of reflection and rebuilding. The focus now shifts for both clubs, with City looking to complete their treble bid in the Premier League and Chelsea aiming to salvage European qualification through their final league fixtures.