Manchester City booked their place in a fourth consecutive FA Cup final after a late surge secured a 2-1 comeback victory over Championship side Southampton at Wembley.
For long spells, the semi-final looked destined for an upset. Southampton broke the deadlock in the 79th minute when Finn Azaz produced a moment of quality, turning smartly outside the box before curling a superb effort beyond James Trafford to put the Saints within touching distance of a famous win.
But City, despite a sluggish and heavily rotated lineup, responded almost immediately.
Pep Guardiola’s changes had already introduced fresh attacking intent, and it was substitute Jérémy Doku who dragged them level, cutting inside and firing a shot that took a decisive deflection past Daniel Peretz.
Momentum had fully swung within minutes. With Southampton reeling, Nico González completed the turnaround in the 87th minute, unleashing a thunderous strike into the top corner to send City into yet another FA Cup final.
The Premier League champions had earlier dominated long stretches without reward, hitting the woodwork through Tijjani Reijnders and forcing several saves from Peretz, while Phil Foden endured a frustrating afternoon before being withdrawn.
Mateo Kovacic, making a rare start, also came close, as did Omar Marmoush in a series of missed openings.
Southampton, organised and dangerous on the break, had their own chances, including a disallowed effort for offside and a couple of threatening moments that kept City alert at the back.
Azaz’s late strike briefly raised hopes of a shock result and a potential return to Wembley glory reminiscent of their 1976 triumph, but those dreams were swiftly extinguished by City’s response.
Guardiola’s side, who recently lifted the Carabao Cup at the same venue, now keep their hopes of another trophy alive and will meet either Leeds or Chelsea in the final, while also shifting focus back to their Premier League title chase.
In the end, it was another reminder of City’s ability to find decisive moments when it matters most, turning a potential upset into a familiar Wembley celebration.
