Nico Gonzalez produced a wonder strike to send Manchester City into the FA Cup final after a 2-1 win over Southampton at Wembley. The Spanish midfielder let fly from 30 yards to complete the comeback after second-tier Saints took a shock lead with just over 10 minutes of the match remaining. Jeremy Dokus deflected shot brought the sides level before Gonzalez sublime goal secured passage to the final for Pep Guardiolas side. Southampton defended resolutely throughout but they were unable to see out what would have been a memorable victory in the capital. In the end, Citys treble hopes remain firmly alive. Table of ContentsCity dominant from the offAn entertaining second halfLine-upsCity dominant from the offPerhaps predictably, City had the majority of possession from the off. However, the Championship high-flyers nearly produced an early shock when Leo Scienza struck a fine finish into the bottom corner after 13 minutes, but the Brazilian was offside.The Premier League side continued to dominate the ball, but Guardiolas men failed to find to slick rhythm that has become synonymous with City under the Catalan manager. Southampton, meanwhile, were defending resolutely, frustrating their top-flight opponents. An entertaining second halfThe second half started with much of the same City probing; the Saints remaining resolute. Tijjani Reijnders went close just before the hour mark when his curling effort fizzed just past the far post. Moments later, Omar Marmoush wasted a good chance when he blasted high over the Southampton goal from Rayan Ait-Nouris cut-back. The Egyptian forward was then inches away from getting on the end of Rayan Cherkis driven cross as City pushed for an opener. Savinhos lashed an effort that was parried by Daniel Peretz before Reijnderss low strike flew wide of the mark. But for all Citys pressure, it was Southampton who broke the deadlock. And it came in stunning fashion. At the end of a rare venture into the opposition half, the Saints worked the ball to Azaz on the edge of the area. The Republic of Ireland international unleashed a sublime swerving strike that gave James Trafford no chance before nestling into the net to spark jubilant scenes inside Wembley. The lead lasted barely two minutes, Doku levelling when his deflected shot bounced beyond Peretz. With the contest well and truly alive, Trafford palmed a Saints effort over the bar before City completed the comeback three minutes from the end. The ball fell to Gonzalez a full 30 yards from goal. The Spaniard took a touch out of his feet before producing an unstoppable effort that flew into the goal to cue wild celebrations among the City fans. Kuryu Matsuki then cleared off the line from Savinho after Southampton had thrown men forward. And it proved to be the last of the action as the pulsating contest was brought to a close and City marched on to the final.Line-upsMan City XI: Trafford, Nunes, Stones, Ake, Ait-Nouri, Nico, Kovacic, Reijnders, Cherki, Foden, MarmoushSubs: Donnarumma, Haaland, Doku, Guhi, Bernardo, Savinho, OReilly, Khusanov, LewisSouthampton XI: Peretz, Bree, Harwood-Bellis, Wood, Welington, Bragg, Jander, Fellows, Azaz, Scienza, Stewart.Subs: Long, Quarshie, Jelert, Charles, Matsuki, Edozie, Robinson, Archer, Larin Topics FA Cup Manchester City F.C. Southampton F.C. Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read LIVE Man City v Southampton: Commentary, updates, goals and stats from FA Cup semi-final with Haaland on bench Jon Fisher 25th April, 2026 FA Cup semi final draw full results 2025/26 for Man City, Chelsea, Leeds and Southampton Ben Miller 25th April, 2026 FA Cup semi finals TV schedule, live online streams, where to watch 2025/26 competition Ben Miller 25th April, 2026 What time is the FA Cup final 2026? Confirmed start time, full details on where to watch, TV channel and live online stream for 2025/26 showpiece Ben Miller 25th April, 2026 Man City v Southampton live: Confirmed teams and full line ups, TV channel, live online stream 101 GreatGoals 25th April, 2026 Man City v Southampton: Line-ups, stats and preview, FA Cup TV channel, live online stream and semi final prediction Ben Miller 25th April, 2026
