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Nico Gonzalez’s stunning strike fired Manchester City into the FA Cup final as Pep Guardiola’s men produced a late fightback to beat Southampton 2-1 on Saturday.<\/p>\n
The Saints appeared heading towards a first FA Cup final since 2003 when Finn Azaz’s brilliant finish put the Championship side in front 11 minutes from time.<\/p>\n
However, City avoided the same fate that Arsenal suffered in the quarter-finals to remain on course for a domestic treble.<\/p>\n
Jeremy Doku’s deflected effort quickly levelled before Gonzalez rifled in from long range three minutes from time.<\/p>\n Two goals for @ManCity<\/a> in five minutes and Nico Gonz\u00e1lez puts them ahead!<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcfa @BBCMOTD<\/a>, @footballontnt<\/a> and @SportsonMax<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/nJcfQOiZKw<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) April 25, 2026<\/a>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n The defeat ends Southampton’s 20-game unbeaten run that has propelled them into contention for an immediate return to the Premier League.<\/p>\n The Saints also knocked out City’s title rivals Arsenal in the previous round and will rue a glorious chance missed to return to Wembley next month.<\/p>\n Guardiola made eight changes from the side that went top of the Premier League with a 1-0 victory over Burnley on Wednesday.<\/p>\n Erling Haaland, Bernardo Silva and Doku were among those to miss out and City took 45 minutes to find their feet.<\/p>\n Leo Scienza found the bottom corner early on, but Southampton’s joy was cut short by the offside flag.<\/p>\n City came out for the second half a changed team even before Guardiola turned to his bench to unleash the stars he had kept in reserve.<\/p>\n Omar Marmoush missed his chance to shine on a rare start ahead of Haaland.<\/p>\n The Egyptian spooned the best of City’s chances over the bar before he was replaced by Haaland.<\/p>\n Guardiola also introduced Doku, Savinho and Nico O’Reilly to break down Southampton’s mass ranks of well-marshalled defence.<\/p>\n Daniel Peretz repelled Gonzalez’s powerful effort before Southampton pounced to take a shock lead on a rare second-half foray forward.<\/p>\n Kuryu Matsuki fed Azaz, who spun before unleashing an unstoppable effort into the top corner.<\/p>\n Finn Azaz with a wonder goal right in front of the @southamptonFC<\/a> fans!<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcfa @BBCMOTD<\/a>, @footballontnt<\/a> and @SportsonMax<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/Ydug3qmwn0<\/a><\/p>\n\n
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