Goal

List of goalscorers

0 - 1
60'
Nico O'Reilly
0 - 2
64'
Nico O'Reilly
Press

Match report in news

End of match

End of match

  • 90+4'
    FT: Manchester City have been crowned EFL Cup champions after a 0-2 victory over Arsenal at Wembley, where Nico O’Reilly’s second?half brace proved decisive in a game that had been goalless at the break.
  • 90'
    Four minutes added!
Substitution

Substitution

at Manchester City
  • 90'
    Substitution for City: Phil Foden replaces Cherki.
  • 89'
    Time is running out for the Gunners!
  • 85'
    City are dominating possession, but Arsenal refuse to surrender and maintain a high press in search of a lifeline.
  • 81'
    Double change for the Gunners: Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus replace Ben White and Trossard.
  • 77'
    Calafiori hits the post with a stunning volley!
  • 73'
    Rice’s cross is met by Calafiori, but Trafford claims it with ease!
Card

Yellow card

a Arsenal
  • 69'
    Yellow card for Ben White after a heavy challenge on Cherki.
Substitution

Substitution

at Arsenal
  • 66'
    Arsenal subs: Hincapie and Havertz are replaced by Madueke and Calafiori.
Goal
Goaaaaaal!
de Manchester City en el 64'
  • 64'
    GOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAL FOR MAN CITY!! O’REILLY AGAIN!! A pinpoint delivery from Nunes finds the unmarked youngster at the far post to nod past a helpless Kepa.
Goal
Goaaaaaal!
de Manchester City en el 60'
  • 60'
    GOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAL FOR MAN CITY! O'Reilly puts Manchester City ahead in the final after a rare error from Kepa!
  • 57'
    Doku feeds Cherki inside the box, but his shot is hammered against an Arsenal defender!
  • 54'
    Manchester City are showing much more attacking intent in this second half!
  • 50'
    Kepa sees yellow! The official cautions the keeper for a clumsy challenge on Doku.
  • 46'
    Manchester City get the second half underway!
  • 45+1'
    HT: Goalless at the break! Arsenal have been the more dangerous side, leaving City with work to do in the second period.
  • 45'
    The fourth official signals that there will be at least sixty seconds of stoppage time before the referee blows for the interval.
  • 44'
    Semenyo’s cross into the box finds Haaland, but he fails to connect cleanly to find the target.
  • 41'
    The Citizens have struggled for sightings of goal as we approach the final five minutes of the half.
  • 37'
    Saka’s cross to the back post is headed wide by Hincapie!
  • 35'
    Left-footed cross from Silva into the box looking for Haaland, but Gabriel clears the danger.
  • 33'
    Foul by Gabriel! He's penalised for a push on Nunes during the aerial duel.
  • 31'
    Khusanov brings down Gyokeres and receives a yellow card from Peter Bankes.
  • 29'
    Foul by Silva on Trossard!
  • 27'
    Cherki’s cross is blocked by the Gunners’ defenders!
  • 24'
    Arsenal are knocking the ball around with great composure.
  • 20'
    Semenyo’s cross from the right wing narrowly misses Haaland's head by mere centimetres!
  • 18'
    Long-range free kick from Rice into the area, but Haaland rises high to clear the danger.
  • 15'
    Hincapie sees the yellow card!
  • 13'
    Corner for the Gunners. Bukayo Saka takes the corner, but a defender intercepts the delivery.
  • 11'
    Rodri’s cross to the back post is headed away by Saliba!
  • 7'
    Triple save from James Trafford on Kai Havertz and two more on Saka!
  • 5'
    Attacking foul by Havertz signalled by Peter Bankes. Havertz protests, but the referee's decision is final.
  • 1'
    Kick-off at Wembley! The EFL Cup Final between Arsenal and City is officially underway.
Start of match

Start of match

  • PRVW
    The players are starting to emerge from the tunnel!!
  • PRVW
    WHO WILL TAKE HOME the trophy? We can’t wait for the match to start. Just 15 minutes to go!
  • PRVW
    The pre-match warm-ups are done and the players have returned to the dressing rooms.
  • PRVW
    Man City starting XI: Trafford (GK); O'Reilly, Ake, Khusanov, Nunes; Rodri, Doku, Cherki; Silva, Semenyo, Haaland.
  • PRVW
    Arsenal starting XI: Kepa (GK); Hincapie, Saliba, Gabriel, Ben White; Zubimendi, Rice, Havertz; Saka, Trossard, Gyokeres.
  • PRVW
    We have the official line-ups for today's match!! Let's check them out!
  • PRVW
    Assistant referees: Neil Davies and Steve Meredith; the fourth official: Tom Bramall.
  • PRVW
    Peter Banks will be in the middle for this one, John Brooks the VAR.
  • PRVW
    Manchester City possible starting lineup: Trafford (GK); Nunes, Dias, Stones, Ait?Nouri; Silva, Rodri, O’Reilly; Cherki, Haaland, Semenyo.
  • PRVW
    Arsenal possible starting lineup: Kepa (GK); Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Eze, Trossard; Gyokeres.
  • PRVW
    Possible starting line-ups:
  • PRVW
    The final will therefore be a test of composure, tactical discipline and nerve, as two of the league’s best?balanced teams chase a trophy that can shape the psychology of the rest of the season.
  • PRVW
    Haaland will be looking to score at Wembley for the first time in seven attempts.
  • PRVW
    The Spaniard may reshuffle his back line, with Stones a likely candidate to step in for Khusanov after playing in the second?leg defeat to Real Madrid. Silva’s red card in the Champions League last?16 second leg has no bearing on the EFL Cup final, leaving him available to help control the tempo at Wembley.
  • PRVW
    Manchester City’s only confirmed injury is Gvardiol, who is ruled out with a calf problem, but Guardiola will also be without January signing Guehi, who is ineligible.
  • PRVW
    For City, the picture is clearer between the posts, with Trafford set to replace Donnarumma after Guardiola confirmed his decision in his pre?final press conference.
  • PRVW
    Arteta has also kept his options open in goal, with Kepa and Raya both in contention, though Kepa is widely expected to start after a string of solid performances.
  • PRVW
    Merino has been ruled out of the final after surgery on a foot injury, but Eze appears to have recovered from the knock he suffered in the Champions League second leg against Bayer Leverkusen.
  • PRVW
    The manager has taken a typically cautious approach to team news, refusing to give firm confirmation on the fitness of Timber, who is recovering from an ankle problem, and skipper Odegaard, who is still managing a knee issue.
  • PRVW
    Arsenal’s quadruple ambitions remain at 0% in terms of silverware, but a win at Wembley would turn that into 25% at the very least.
  • PRVW
    Arteta’s side have a chance to end a three?decade hoodoo and claim their first piece of silverware since the 2020 FA Cup, while for Guardiola it would be City’s first major trophy since the 2022?23 Champions League triumph.
  • PRVW
    The Gunners last won the EFL Cup in 1993, when none of their current squad had even been born, and they have since lost six finals, more than any other club.
  • PRVW
    Arsenal currently sit at the top of the table, while Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City are their closest rivals, just one point behind, setting the stage for a showpiece that doubles as a mini?title clash.
  • PRVW
    The League Cup will be contested by the two top sides in the Premier League, making this the first final in the competition’s history to feature the first? and second?placed teams.
Info

Pre-match

22 March 2026, 17:30

Referee: Peter Bankes | VAR: John Brooks

Stadium: Wembley Stadium

  • PRVW
    Hello and welcome to the live coverage of the EFL Cup final as Arsenal meet Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on Sunday evening.