Chelesea end the season with zero trophies after defeated by Manchester City on FA Cup Final

Manchester City F.C defeated Chelsea F.C 1-0 in the 2026 FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium, securing another major trophy under manager Pep Guardiola.

The tightly contested final was decided by a stunning second-half goal from Antoine Semenyo, whose improvised finish in the 72nd minute gave Manchester City their eighth FA Cup title in club history.

The match, played in front of more than 83,000 fans at Wembley, saw City dominate possession for long periods while Chelsea attempted to frustrate Guardiola’s side with a compact defensive setup and counterattacking football.

Chelsea entered the final hoping to rescue a difficult season and secure European football qualification, while Manchester City were chasing another domestic trophy after already winning the EFL Cup earlier in the campaign.

The first half ended goalless despite several opportunities for City. Erling Haaland thought he had opened the scoring during the first half, but the goal was ruled out for offside following a VAR review. Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sánchez also produced important saves to keep his side level before halftime.

Chelsea gradually grew into the game and created dangerous moments through Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernández, and João Pedro, but they struggled to convert their chances against City’s disciplined defense.

The decisive moment arrived in the 72nd minute when Semenyo produced a brilliant flicked finish from close range after a dangerous delivery into the box by Haaland. The spectacular goal immediately became one of the standout moments of the 2026 FA Cup final.

After taking the lead, Manchester City controlled possession and managed the final stages professionally, limiting Chelsea’s opportunities and protecting their advantage until the final whistle. Guardiola’s substitutions and the experience of players such as Bernardo Silva and Rodri helped City maintain control under pressure.

The victory marked another successful chapter for Pep Guardiola at Manchester City and further strengthened the club’s dominance in English football over the past decade. It was also City’s fourth consecutive appearance in the FA Cup final as another English football record.

For Chelsea, the defeat added more frustration to an already difficult campaign marked by inconsistent performances and managerial instability. Interim coach Calum McFarlane received praise for organizing a competitive performance against one of Europe’s strongest teams, but the Blues were ultimately unable to stop City from lifting the trophy.