On Sunday, April 27, 2025, Manchester City secured a 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley Stadium, booking their place in next month’s final with clinical efficiency. City struck early when 18-year-old full-back Rico Lewis latched onto a slick pass from Mateo Kovacic and slotted home in the second minute, silencing Forest’s supporters before the game had properly begun. From that point on, Pep Guardiola’s side controlled proceedings, dictating possession (74% to 26%) and carving out chance after chance against a resilient but overmatched Forest back line.
Despite a spirited start from Nuno Espírito Santo’s men who boasted one of the Premier League’s stingiest defences this season Forest rarely threatened the City goal. Keeper Matz Sels produced smart saves to deny both Lewis and Ilkay Gündoğan, but couldn’t prevent the game’s decisive second strike just after the half-time interval. In the 51st minute, defender Josko Gvardiol rose unmarked to head home an Omar Marmoush corner, doubling City’s lead and extinguishing any hopes of a Forest comeback.
Nottingham Forest’s substitutions, including the introduction of Anthony Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi, injected brief bursts of energy but failed to unlock a well-drilled City defence. Guardiola’s men remained compact and disciplined, suffocating Forest’s attempts to build momentum through midfield and forcing long-range efforts that rarely troubled Ederson. At the final whistle, City’s semi-final triumph underscored their status as heavy favourites for the competition, while Forest rued missed opportunities that could have made this a much tighter contest.
Looking ahead, Manchester City will face either Crystal Palace or Sheffield United in the FA Cup final, aiming to secure their third straight appearance at Wembley for the showpiece event. For Nottingham Forest, the defeat is a setback in what has otherwise been a remarkable campaign, with hopes of Champions League qualification still alive but now tempered by their cup exit.
Pep Guardiola praised his side’s professionalism and early intensity, while Nuno Espírito Santo vowed his team will regroup quickly to focus on Premier League fixtures. Either way, this result reinforces City’s reputation for turning early advantages into silverware, and offers Forest valuable lessons as they chase top-four ambitions.
