In a thrilling FA Cup semi-final at Wembley Stadium, Manchester City secured their spot in the final with a 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest on April 27, 2025. The match kicked off at 17:30 CET, and it was the Cityzens who struck early, with Rico Lewis finding the back of the net just two minutes into the game. His low drive from the edge of the box gave City a lead that they would not relinquish.
Despite a strong start for City, Nottingham Forest fought back, creating several chances to equalize. The Tricky Trees, buoyed by a passionate crowd, had moments of brilliance, particularly from Morgan Gibbs-White, who came close to scoring on multiple occasions. However, the woodwork and a solid performance from City’s defense kept them at bay.
As the first half progressed, City maintained control of the match, with Mateo Kovacic and Jack Grealish orchestrating play from midfield. Forest's defense, led by Zach Abbott and Milenkovic, worked tirelessly to contain the attacking threats posed by City’s front line. The half ended with City leading 1-0, and the Nottingham fans were left hoping for a turnaround in the second half.
Forest made a tactical change at halftime, bringing on Anthony Elanga, in hopes of injecting fresh energy into their attack. The second half saw an immediate impact from Elanga, who created a couple of promising opportunities. However, City’s goalkeeper, Stefan Ortega, was in fine form, making crucial saves to deny Forest’s attempts.
In the 58th minute, City doubled their lead when Joško Gvardiol rose above the Forest defenders to head home a corner from Grealish. The goal was a significant blow to Forest's ambitions, making the score 2-0 and leaving them with a mountain to climb.
Despite trailing, Nottingham continued to push forward, with Gibbs-White hitting the crossbar with a spectacular volley in the 65th minute. The stadium erupted, and Forest fans sensed a glimmer of hope. However, luck was not on their side, as they failed to convert their chances into goals.
As the match neared its conclusion, Forest ramped up the pressure, winning back-to-back corners in the dying minutes. In the 90+3' minute, they had a chance to score, but once again, City’s defense held firm. Mateo Kovacic was named Man of the Match for his influential performance, contributing both defensively and offensively.
The final whistle blew with the scoreline reading 2-0 in favor of Manchester City, who now prepare to face Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final on May 17. This victory marks City’s seventh consecutive FA Cup semi-final appearance and sets them on course for their third straight final in the competition.
Reflecting on the match, Pep Guardiola expressed pride in his team’s performance, stating, "Winning the FA Cup would be a great way to finish the season, and I’m proud of what this group has achieved over the years." Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest’s manager, Nuno Espírito Santo, praised his players for their effort but acknowledged that they need to be more clinical in front of goal to compete at this level.
The match highlighted the resilience of both teams, with Forest showing great determination despite the defeat. City, on the other hand, showcased their experience and quality, proving once again why they are one of the top teams in English football.
With the FA Cup final on the horizon, all eyes will be on Manchester City as they aim to add another trophy to their illustrious cabinet. For Nottingham Forest, the focus will shift back to the Premier League, where they continue to fight for a top-five finish and a potential return to European competition.
