GOAL! Manchester City 2-1 Southampton (Gonzalez 87)
Doku delivers a pass from the left flank. Gonzalez, positioned 25 yards out, takes his time to set up a shot and fires a rising, powerful strike into the top-left corner of the goal. Although the equalizer involved some fortune, the execution was exceptional, sending the ball firmly into the top corner.
86 min: Cherki curls a ball in from the right side. Wood clears with his head; Bree, uncertain of his position, concedes a corner with his head. The subsequent set piece is partially cleared again.
85 min: Manchester City have introduced all their key players, with Silva replacing Reijnders. Pep Guardiola appears intent on avoiding extra time.
83 min: Southampton suffer an unlucky moment but maintain their composure. Larin receives a cutback near the edge of the City penalty area and shoots a rising effort that Trafford tips over the bar. The resulting corner yields no further chances, but this semi-final, entertaining from the start, has intensified dramatically.
GOAL! Manchester City 1-1 Southampton (Doku 82)
Southampton only partially clear a corner. Doku gains possession on the left edge of the Saints box, dribbles across the goalmouth, and shoots. His low shot deflects off Bree and into the bottom right corner, beating the goalkeeper. Manchester City keep their treble hopes alive.
82 min: Savinho and Nunes combine down the right flank, with Savinho forcing a save from Peretz, who clears for a corner. From that set piece...
81 min: An outstanding goal! The move starts at the halfway line with Jander dispossessing Cherki, advancing down the left and passing to Matsuki, who then passes to Azaz. The finish is elegant and precise.
GOAL! Manchester City 0-1 Southampton (Azaz 79)
Against the run of play, Southampton take the lead with a spectacular goal. The ball is worked in from the left. Azaz, 25 yards out and facing away from goal, turns and curls an unstoppable shot into the top right corner. Trafford is fully extended but unable to save it.
78 min: Ake receives a blow from Jander while contesting a loose ball but, after a brief check, continues without issue.
77 min: A City corner leads to no clear chance. Bree launches a long ball forward, and Scienza nearly outjumps Nunes for a header, but the City defender clears just in time.
76 min: Welington is exhausted and unable to continue after intense defensive work against Reijnders, Foden, and Savinho. Matsuki replaces him.
75 min: Doku cuts in from the left aiming for the bottom right corner. His shot deflects out for a corner. Before the corner is taken, Welington goes down.
74 min: Southampton are holding on under pressure.
73 min: Gonzalez drives into the Saints box from the right and shoots. Peretz parries well. Cherki attempts another shot. The ball strikes Charles’ arm, but the arm was tucked in, so no penalty is awarded. City then have a chance as the ball falls to Reijnders on the penalty spot, but his shot goes wide despite Peretz being beaten.
72 min: Manchester City make a double substitution, bringing on O’Reilly and Haaland for Ait-Nouri and Marmoush. O’Reilly scored twice in the recent League Cup final against Arsenal.
70 min: Savinho attacks down the right. Welington manages to prevent him from advancing but concedes a corner. Savinho takes the corner, aiming for the back post, but Wood heads clear.
68 min: City have improved in the second half. Southampton are defending resolutely.
66 min: The BBC shows several shots of fans in the stands asleep, both City and Southampton supporters. The match has been lively and entertaining, suggesting the alcohol content of Wembley’s beer might be high. Sláinte!
64 min: Savinho slips a pass to Nunes in the Saints box down the right. Nunes takes an extra touch, missing teammates in better positions, resulting in a corner. Savinho then attempts a low curling shot, which Peretz parries. Southampton counter quickly with Larin chasing a long ball. Trafford reads the danger and clears effectively.
63 min: Cherki dribbles into the Saints box from the right and delivers a low ball across the six-yard box. Marmoush attempts to connect but misses. City are increasingly threatening.
62 min: Southampton make a double substitution, replacing Stewart and Bragg with Larin and Charles, the quarter-final hero.
60 min: Savinho bursts down the right and wins a corner. The set piece is worked to Doku on the opposite flank, who advances and passes to Ait-Nouri. Ait-Nouri crosses to Marmoush, who shoots over the bar.
59 min: Reijnders finds space 25 yards out on the left, takes a touch infield, and fires a powerful curling shot narrowly wide of the top right corner.
58 min: City make their first substitutions, with Doku and Savinho replacing Foden and Kovacic.
57 min: Wood makes two crucial blocks in quick succession from Nunes and Cherki as City increase pressure.
56 min: Stewart attempts a curling shot towards the top right, which Trafford easily saves. Southampton have yet to replicate their first-half intensity.
55 min: Kovacic cleverly turns into space and passes to Marmoush, who beats Harwood-Bellis and is fouled. The defender avoids a booking. The free kick is played back to Foden, who curls a shot high and wide.
53 min: City have been sharper since the break. Guardiola appears to have given effective instructions.
52 min: Foden and Aki hesitate over crosses down the left, allowing clearance. Cherki then delivers a low ball through the six-yard box, but City fail to capitalize.
50 min: Marmoush receives a long pass and enters the Saints box. Harwood-Bellis blocks his shot, deflecting it over the bar. Southampton clear the resulting corner.
48 min: City regain their rhythm, controlling possession. Southampton defend deeply.
46 min: Azaz steals the ball from Ake and sends Fellows clear down the inside right. Fellows enters the box but delays his shot, allowing Ake to recover and block. Trafford collects the ball.
Southampton restart the second half with no changes. Nunes is fit to continue after a previous injury scare.
HALF-TIME SHOW: Jim McCalliog
"Jim McCalliog!" exclaims Simon McMahon, referencing the pre-match notes. "Come on, Scott, get the Wembley ‘67 highlights up, you know you want to."
McCalliog’s goal, which proved decisive, came early in his Scotland debut at Wembley in 1967. He was 21 years old and had already scored in the previous year’s FA Cup final for Sheffield Wednesday.
Despite the historic success, Scotland’s fortunes after McCalliog’s goal are covered elsewhere.
HALF TIME: Manchester City 0-0 Southampton
The match has been entertaining. Manchester City have been slightly off their best but remain confident. Southampton, the Championship side, have performed admirably against the favourites.
45 min +1: Cherki nearly beats Welington on the right but the Saints defender stays close and wins the ball. Excellent defending from Welington.
45 min: Two minutes of added time will be played.
44 min: Nunes still appears uncomfortable but is able to continue until half-time.
42 min: Khusanov prepares to enter, but Nunes recovers quickly after a fall, alleviating concerns.
41 min: Nunes goes down alone and appears distressed. Medical staff attend promptly.
40 min: City probe again, with Saints maintaining their shape. Kovacic attempts a high pass down the right, which goes out for a goal kick.
38 min: Southampton respond with patient possession at the back.
36 min: City suddenly increase intensity. Kovacic passes to Marmoush, who shoots low towards the bottom left. Peretz clears for a corner. From the set piece, Cherki crosses to Reijnders, who attempts a bicycle kick, showing great ambition despite missing.
34 min: On the touchline, Guardiola issues tactical instructions, becoming more active but not yet agitated.
