Antoine Semenyo scored the decisive goal as Manchester City defeated Chelsea FC 1-0 at Wembley Stadium to win the 2026 FA Cup.
In a tightly contested final played before a packed crowd on Saturday, the Ghana international produced the defining moment of the match in the second half, guiding home from close range to hand City their eighth FA Cup crown and continue the club’s domestic success under manager Pep Guardiola.
The winning goal arrived with 20 minutes remaining after Erling Haaland surged down the right flank and delivered a dangerous low cross into the penalty area. Semenyo reacted quickest, instinctively turning the ball beyond Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sánchez from a difficult angle to spark celebrations among the Manchester City supporters inside Wembley.
The strike ultimately proved enough to settle a competitive encounter between two sides who created opportunities but struggled for long periods to break one another down.
City began the final with greater control and dominated possession during the opening stages. Guardiola’s side nearly made the perfect start in the seventh minute when Egyptian winger Omar Marmoush found space inside the area, but his effort lacked the power needed to seriously test Sánchez.
Chelsea gradually settled into the game after weathering the early pressure and began threatening on counterattacks. Much of their attacking intent came through the pace and movement of Brazilian forward João Pedro, whose runs in transition caused problems for the City defence.
The London club ended the first half strongly and looked increasingly capable of taking the lead as the contest became more balanced.
Following the restart, Manchester City raised the intensity again and almost broke the deadlock when Semenyo climbed highest to meet a cross into the area, only to send his header narrowly over the crossbar.
Chelsea then produced one of the clearest opportunities of the final. Midfielder Moisés Caicedo appeared set to score from close range before a vital goal-line clearance by Rodri preserved parity and kept City level.
With extra time beginning to appear increasingly likely, Haaland’s burst of pace and Semenyo’s sharp finishing finally separated the two teams in the 70th minute.
Chelsea pushed forward in search of an equaliser during the closing stages, but Manchester City defended resolutely to protect their advantage and secure another major domestic honour.
The victory marked Manchester City’s eighth FA Cup triumph and the third won under Guardiola’s leadership, further strengthening the club’s dominance in English football during the Spaniard’s tenure.
The success also extended a remarkable historical record for the club. City’s latest triumph came 122 years after their first FA Cup victory in 1904, representing the longest span between a club’s maiden and most recent FA Cup title.
For Semenyo, the winning goal ensured his name would become permanently linked with another memorable Wembley triumph in Manchester City’s history.
