The 2023 FA Cup Final: Manchester City’s Historic Triumph -The 2023 FA Cup Final, held on June 3, 2023, at Wembley Stadium, was a landmark event in English football history, marking the first time the Manchester derby—between Manchester City and Manchester United—was contested in the final of the world’s oldest football tournament, the Football Association Challenge Cup. The 142nd edition of the FA Cup culminated in a thrilling 2-1 victory for Manchester City, securing their seventh FA Cup title and a crucial step toward their historic continental treble. Captain İlkay Gündoğan’s record-breaking 12-second goal set the tone, electrifying a global audience and sparking widespread buzz on YouTube and Google. This article explores the match, its context, key moments, and fan reactions, addressing popular search queries and delivering a comprehensive, engaging narrative exceeding 2500 words, based on the latest online sources.

The FA Cup: A Storied Tradition

History and Significance

The FA Cup, established in 1871, is the oldest national football competition in the world, organized by The Football Association (FA) and sponsored by Emirates as the Emirates FA Cup, per Wikipedia. The 2022-23 season, its 142nd edition, saw 732 teams compete, from non-league minnows to Premier League giants, in a knockout format culminating at Wembley Stadium, per Wikipedia. The winner earns a UEFA Europa League spot (unless already qualified for Europe) and a place in the FA Community Shield, per Wikipedia. The 2023 final, pitting Manchester City against Manchester United, was a historic clash, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of the first FA Cup final at the original Wembley Stadium in 1923, per Wikipedia.

The FA Cup’s allure lies in its inclusivity and unpredictability, with lower-tier teams like Wrexham and Grimsby Town making deep runs in 2022-23, per Wikipedia. The 2023 final, broadcast live on BBC One, ITV1, and ESPN+, drew millions globally, amplified by YouTube highlights and fan reactions, per Goal.com. Its June 3 date, a week after the Premier League’s May 28 conclusion, was unusual, driven by the 2022 World Cup’s November-December schedule, per Sporting News.

The Manchester Derby Context

The 2023 final was the 190th Manchester derby, but the first in an FA Cup final, per Wikipedia. Manchester City, managed by Pep Guardiola, were chasing a continental treble—Premier League, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League—emulating Manchester United’s 1998-99 feat, per Wikipedia. City had won the 2022-23 Premier League with 89 points, finishing five points ahead of Arsenal, per Wikipedia. Manchester United, under Erik ten Hag, sought their second trophy of the season after the EFL Cup in February 2023, aiming to derail City’s treble, as they had done to Liverpool in 1977, per Wikipedia.

The teams split their 2022-23 Premier League meetings: City won 6-3 at home in October 2022, while United triumphed 2-1 at Old Trafford in January 2023, per Wikipedia. This set the stage for a high-stakes final, with City favored at 1/2 odds and United at 6/1, per SkyBet. YouTube searches like “Manchester derby FA Cup 2023” and “City vs. United highlights” surged, reflecting global anticipation, per Goal.com.

Road to the Final

Manchester City’s Path

As Premier League sides, both teams entered the FA Cup in the third round in January 2023, per Wikipedia. Manchester City’s journey was dominant, showcasing their depth and attacking prowess:

Third Round: Manchester City 4-0 Chelsea (January 8, 2023): At the Etihad Stadium, Riyad Mahrez (two goals), Julián Álvarez, and Phil Foden dismantled 2022 finalists Chelsea, per Wikipedia. YouTube clips of Mahrez’s free-kick trended, per Goal.com.

Fourth Round: Manchester City 1-0 Arsenal (January 27, 2023): Nathan Aké’s lone goal at home ousted 14-time winners Arsenal, per Wikipedia. Fans searched “Aké City goal” for highlights.

Fifth Round: Bristol City 0-3 Manchester City (February 28, 2023): Foden, Kevin De Bruyne, and an own goal secured a comfortable away win at Ashton Gate, per Wikipedia.

Quarter-Finals: Manchester City 6-0 Burnley (March 18, 2023): Erling Haaland’s hat-trick, Álvarez’s brace, and Cole Palmer’s goal crushed Vincent Kompany’s Burnley at the Etihad, per Wikipedia. “Haaland FA Cup goals” spiked on YouTube.

Semi-Finals: Manchester City 3-0 Sheffield United (April 22, 2023): Riyad Mahrez’s hat-trick at Wembley booked City’s final spot, per Wikipedia. Fans searched “Mahrez hat-trick highlights.”

City’s run was clinical, scoring 17 goals and conceding none, per Wikipedia. Their semi-final win over Championship side Sheffield United underscored their focus, per ESPN.

Manchester United’s Path

Manchester United’s journey was grittier, with four consecutive 3-1 home wins before a tense semi-final, per Wikipedia:

Third Round: Manchester United 3-1 Everton (January 6, 2023): Goals from Antony, an own goal, and Marcus Rashford secured victory at Old Trafford, per Wikipedia.

Fourth Round: Manchester United 3-1 Reading (January 28, 2023): Casemiro (two goals) and Fred overcame Championship side Reading at home, per Wikipedia. “Casemiro FA Cup goals” trended.

Fifth Round: Manchester United 3-1 West Ham United (March 1, 2023): An own goal, Saïd Benrahma, and Alejandro Garnacho’s late strike turned the tie at Old Trafford, per Wikipedia.

Quarter-Finals: Manchester United 3-1 Fulham (March 19, 2023): Bruno Fernandes (two goals) and Marcel Sabitzer exploited Fulham’s red cards at Old Trafford, per Wikipedia.

Semi-Finals: Manchester United 0-0 Brighton (April 23, 2023, won 7-6 on penalties): A goalless draw at Wembley went to penalties, with United prevailing after Victor Lindelöf’s decisive kick, per Wikipedia. YouTube searches for “United Brighton penalties” soared.

United scored 12 goals and conceded 5, relying on home form and clutch moments, per Wikipedia. Their semi-final shootout win over Brighton showcased resilience, per BBC Sport.

The 2023 FA Cup Final: Match Breakdown

Pre-Match Build-Up

The final, held at Wembley’s 90,000-capacity stadium, was marred by a UK-wide train strike, complicating fan travel, per Wikipedia. Kick-off was set at 3:00 PM BST, broadcast live on BBC One, ITV1, and ESPN+, with global streams on DAZN and Paramount+, per TheFA.com. City’s starting XI featured Stefan Ortega in goal, a backline of Kyle Walker, Rúben Dias, Manuel Akanji, and John Stones, midfielders Rodri, De Bruyne, and Gündoğan, and attackers Bernardo Silva, Foden, and Haaland, per Wikipedia. United fielded David de Gea, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Raphaël Varane, Lindelöf, Luke Shaw, Casemiro, Fred, Fernandes, Jadon Sancho, Rashford, and Christian Eriksen, per Wikipedia.

City were favored, with Gündoğan (10/1 to score first) and Haaland (4/1) tipped as threats, per SkyBet. United’s hopes rested on Rashford (12/1) and Fernandes’ playmaking, per Goal.com. YouTube pre-match shows, like Sky Sports’ “City vs. United Preview,” hyped the treble chase, per ESPN. Posts on X, like @classicshirts’ “first Manchester derby final,” captured the buzz, per.

First Half: Gündoğan’s Record-Breaker

The match exploded into life when İlkay Gündoğan scored after just 12 seconds, volleying a looping clearance from 25 yards past De Gea, breaking the record for the fastest FA Cup final goal, previously set by Louis Saha (25 seconds, 2009), per Wikipedia. YouTube clips of “Gündoğan fastest FA Cup goal” went viral, with fans searching “City FA Cup goal 2023,” per Goal.com. United responded, equalizing in the 33rd minute when Bruno Fernandes converted a controversial penalty after Jack Grealish’s handball, per Wikipedia. The 1-1 scoreline held at halftime, with City dominating possession (62%) but United threatening on counters, per Sofascore.

Second Half: City’s Decisive Blow

City regained the lead in the 51st minute when Gündoğan struck again, volleying a De Bruyne free-kick from the edge of the box, per Wikipedia. The goal, described as “sublime” by BBC Sport, sparked YouTube searches for “Gündoğan second goal FA Cup,” per ESPN. United pushed for an equalizer, with Rashford and Garnacho testing Ortega, but City’s defense, led by Dias, held firm, per Wikipedia. Despite late pressure, including a VAR-checked non-penalty for United, City secured a 2-1 victory, per Wikipedia. Gündoğan was named man of the match, per TheFA.com.

Match Statistics

Possession: City 62%, United 38% (Sofascore)

Shots: City 14 (5 on target), United 10 (3 on target)

Expected Goals (xG): City 1.8, United 1.2

Passes Completed: City 512, United 298

Corners: City 6, United 4

City’s control and clinical finishing proved decisive, per ESPN. YouTube analyses, like “City vs. United FA Cup stats,” dissected Gündoğan’s impact, per Goal.com.

Key Moments and Controversies

Gündoğan’s Record-Breaking Goal

Gündoğan’s 12-second opener, a dipping volley after De Gea’s clearance fell short, stunned United and set a frenetic pace, per Wikipedia. The goal, dubbed “a moment of magic” by Sky Sports, broke Saha’s 2009 record and trended on YouTube under “fastest FA Cup final goal,” per Goal.com. X posts, like @classicshirts’ “Gündoğan double seals it,” celebrated his clutch performance, per.

The Handball Controversy

United’s equalizer stemmed from a debated penalty when Grealish inadvertently handled Wan-Bissaka’s header in the 33rd minute, per Wikipedia. Referee Paul Tierney’s decision, upheld by VAR, divided fans, with City supporters on X calling it “soft,” per. Fernandes’ composed penalty leveled the score, sparking YouTube searches for “United penalty FA Cup 2023,” per ESPN.

VAR and Late Drama

In stoppage time, United appealed for a penalty when Fred went down under Akanji’s challenge, but VAR ruled no foul, per Wikipedia. The decision fueled debate, with United fans on YouTube searching “FA Cup VAR controversy,” per Goal.com. City’s defensive resilience ensured the 2-1 scoreline held, per BBC Sport.

Impact and Aftermath

Manchester City’s Treble Chase

City’s 2-1 win secured their seventh FA Cup title and second domestic double (Premier League and FA Cup), matching their 2018-19 feat, per Wikipedia. The victory propelled them toward the UEFA Champions League final against Inter Milan on June 10, 2023, which they won 1-0, completing the continental treble, per Wikipedia. Gündoğan’s brace earned him legendary status, with YouTube montages like “Gündoğan FA Cup hero” trending, per ESPN. As FA Cup winners, City qualified for the 2023 FA Community Shield, which they lost on penalties to Arsenal, per Wikipedia.

Manchester United’s Season

United’s defeat marked their eighth FA Cup final loss, tying Chelsea and Everton for the most, per TheFA.com. Despite the loss, their EFL Cup win and third-place Premier League finish (75 points) secured Champions League qualification, per Wikipedia. Erik ten Hag’s resilience was praised, with YouTube analyses like “Ten Hag FA Cup 2023” noting his tactical setup, per Goal.com. United’s Europa League spot, earned via the FA Cup, was passed to Brighton (sixth in the Premier League), per Wikipedia.

Prize Money and Awards

City earned £2 million in prize money, with United receiving £1 million, per TheFA.com. Wrexham’s Paul Mullin won the FA Cup Golden Ball Award as the tournament’s top scorer with eight goals, per Wikipedia. YouTube searches for “FA Cup 2023 prize money” highlighted the £22.3 million total fund, per Wikipedia.

YouTube Buzz and Fan Reactions

Why Are Fans Searching on YouTube?

YouTube was a hub for 2023 FA Cup Final content, with searches like “City vs. United FA Cup 2023,” “Gündoğan fastest goal,” and “FA Cup final highlights” driving engagement. Key topics include:

Match Highlights: The official Emirates FA Cup channel’s “FULL MATCH | Manchester City v Manchester United” video, posted May 27, 2024, garnered millions of views, per YouTube. Clips of Gündoğan’s goals and Fernandes’ penalty trended, per Goal.com.

Gündoğan’s Record: Searches for “fastest FA Cup final goal” surged, with Sky Sports and BBC Sport clips breaking down Gündoğan’s 12-second strike, per ESPN.

Controversies: The handball penalty and late VAR call fueled debate, with YouTube vlogs like “FA Cup final referee mistakes” analyzing decisions, per Goal.com.

Treble Narrative: City’s treble chase dominated, with ESPN’s “City Treble Highlights” and fan reactions like “City FA Cup 2023” trending, per The Athletic.

Fan Reactions: Vlogs from United and City supporters, like “Wembley FA Cup Final 2023 Vlog,” captured the electric atmosphere, per YouTube.

Viral Moments

Gündoğan’s 12-second goal was the defining moment, with YouTube clips amassing millions of views, per Goal.com. Fernandes’ penalty and Gündoğan’s second volley trended, per ESPN. X posts, like @classicshirts’ “Gündoğan double seals the FA Cup,” reflected City fans’ joy, while United supporters lamented the penalty call, per. The train strike, disrupting travel, sparked YouTube rants like “FA Cup final travel chaos,” per BBC Sport.

What People Are Asking About the 2023 FA Cup Final

Based on Google and YouTube searches, here are the top fan questions:

Who Won the 2023 FA Cup Final?

Manchester City defeated Manchester United 2-1 on June 3, 2023, at Wembley Stadium, securing their seventh FA Cup title, per Wikipedia. Gündoğan’s brace clinched the win, with YouTube searches for “City FA Cup win 2023” soaring, per Goal.com.

What Was the Fastest Goal in FA Cup Final History?

İlkay Gündoğan scored after 12 seconds, breaking Louis Saha’s 25-second record from 2009, per Wikipedia. YouTube clips of “Gündoğan fastest goal” and Sky Sports’ analysis trended, per ESPN.

Why Was the Penalty Controversial?

United’s 33rd-minute penalty, awarded for Grealish’s handball, divided fans, with City supporters on X calling it “harsh,” per. YouTube searches for “FA Cup 2023 penalty controversy” linked to BBC Sport’s VAR breakdown, per Goal.com.

How Did the Train Strike Affect Fans?

A UK-wide train strike on June 3, 2023, disrupted travel to Wembley, forcing fans to rely on coaches and cars, per Wikipedia. YouTube vlogs like “FA Cup final travel nightmare” captured the chaos, per BBC Sport.

Did City Complete the Treble?

Yes, City won the Premier League, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League in 2022-23, matching United’s 1998-99 treble, per Wikipedia. YouTube searches for “City treble 2023” led to ESPN’s documentary-style recaps, per The Athletic.

Where Can Fans Watch Highlights?

Highlights are available on YouTube via the Emirates FA Cup channel, BBC Sport, and Sky Sports, with the full match on ESPN+, per TheFA.com. Fans search “City vs. United FA Cup full match” for replays, per Goal.com.

Challenges and Controversies

Train Strike Disruption

The train strike, driven by rail union disputes, left thousands of fans scrambling, with National Express coaches overwhelmed, per BBC Sport. YouTube vlogs and X posts, like @SkySportsNews, highlighted fan frustration, per. The FA faced criticism for not rescheduling, per The Guardian.

VAR and Refereeing

The Grealish handball penalty and late non-penalty call for United sparked debate, with United fans on YouTube claiming bias, per Goal.com. Referee Paul Tierney’s decisions, upheld by VAR, were dissected in Sky Sports’ “FA Cup final referee analysis,” per ESPN.

Fixture Congestion

The June 3 date, post-Premier League and pre-Champions League final, strained City’s squad, with Haaland and De Bruyne playing over 50 matches in 2022-23, per Sporting News. YouTube debates, like “FA Cup scheduling issues,” criticized the World Cup’s impact, per The Athletic.

The Manchester Derby’s Global Stage

The first FA Cup final Manchester derby drew a global audience, with 15 million UK viewers on BBC and ITV, per TheFA.com. YouTube’s Emirates FA Cup channel saw record streams, per Goal.com. The match showcased Manchester’s football dominance, with X posts like @MenInBlazers hyping the “historic clash,” per.

Wembley’s Legacy

The 2023 final marked 100 years since the original Wembley hosted its first FA Cup final, per Wikipedia. The 90,000-capacity modern Wembley, rebuilt in 2007, remains the “home of football,” per TheFA.com. YouTube montages, like “Wembley FA Cup history,” celebrated its legacy, per BBC Sport.

Fan Culture and Rivalry

City and United fans packed Wembley, with tifos and chants amplifying the atmosphere, per Sky Sports. YouTube vlogs, like “City fans FA Cup final 2023,” captured celebrations, while United supporters’ “Rashford chants” trended, per Goal.com. The rivalry’s intensity fueled social media, with X posts reflecting divided loyalties, per.

Critical Perspective

Manchester City’s 2-1 victory was a masterclass in composure, with Gündoğan’s brace and Guardiola’s tactics outshining United’s resilience, per Wikipedia. However, the handball penalty’s leniency and VAR’s late call raised questions about officiating consistency, per ESPN. The train strike’s impact on fans exposed logistical flaws, with The Guardian noting the FA’s limited response, per The Guardian. City’s treble, while historic, underscored fixture congestion concerns, with players like Haaland at risk of burnout, per Sporting News. United’s spirited performance under Ten Hag signaled progress, but their defensive lapses cost them, per BBC Sport. YouTube analyses, like “City treble vs. United fightback,” weigh the match’s legacy, per Goal.com.

The 2023 FA Cup Final, a 2-1 Manchester City triumph over Manchester United on June 3, 2023, was a historic Manchester derby, defined by İlkay Gündoğan’s 12-second record-breaking goal and a tense, controversial battle, per Wikipedia. City’s seventh FA Cup title propelled their treble, while United’s defeat underscored their rebuilding under Erik ten Hag, per ESPN. YouTube remains the epicenter of fan engagement, with searches for “Gündoğan goals,” “FA Cup final highlights,” and “City treble 2023” driving millions to Emirates FA Cup and Sky Sports clips, per Goal.com.

The match’s legacy—marred by a train strike, VAR debates, and scheduling quirks—reflects the FA Cup’s enduring drama, per BBC Sport. For the latest highlights, stats, and reactions, visit TheFA.com, ESPN.com, or YouTube’s Emirates FA Cup channel, and join the global conversation celebrating a final that redefined the Manchester derby.

FAQS

The 2023 FA Cup final was a historic Manchester derby, marking the first time both Manchester clubs faced each other in the competition’s final. Played on June 3, 2023, at Wembley Stadium, it was a match filled with drama, records, and unforgettable moments.

When and where was the 2023 FA Cup final played?

Date: June 3, 2023

Venue: Wembley Stadium, London

Attendance: 83,179 spectators YouTubeReddit+9Wikipedia+9News Unzip+9

What was the final score?

Manchester City 2–1 Manchester United

Ilkay Gündoğan scored both goals for City, while Bruno Fernandes converted a penalty for United.

Who were the standout players?

Ilkay Gündoğan (Manchester City): Scored both goals, including the fastest-ever FA Cup final goal at 12 seconds, and was named Man of the Match.

Raphaël Varane (Manchester United): Delivered a commanding defensive performance, earning praise from fans and teammates alike.

What was the significance of this victory?

This win marked Manchester City’s seventh FA Cup title and their second domestic double (Premier League and FA Cup). They went on to complete a historic treble by winning the UEFA Champions League against Inter Milan just a week later.

Where can I watch the match highlights?

You can watch the full match and highlights on the official Manchester City website or their official YouTube channel.

What were some key moments from the match?

Ilkay Gündoğan’s 12-second opener: Scored the fastest goal in FA Cup final history.

Bruno Fernandes’ equalizing penalty: Converted after a VAR-reviewed handball by Jack Grealish.

Late-game drama: United’s attempts to equalize were thwarted by City’s defense and goalkeeper Stefan Ortega.

Was there any controversy during the match?

Yes, a penalty decision for United was contentious. Referee Michael Oliver awarded a penalty for a foul by Ruben Dias on Edinson Cavani, despite replays suggesting Dias made contact with the ball first. VAR did not overturn the decision.

How did this final compare historically?

The 2023 final was the first all-Manchester FA Cup final, adding a new chapter to the storied rivalry. It was also the 100th anniversary of the first FA Cup final at the original Wembley Stadium, adding historical significance to the event.

Where can I find more information?

For detailed match reports, player ratings, and post-match analysis, you can visit:

BBC Sport – FA Cup Final Report

To read more click here

Entertainment