Manchester City secured a 2-1 comeback victory over Bournemouth in the FA Cup quarter-finals at the Vitality Stadium on March 30, 2025, advancing to the semi-finals for a record seventh consecutive season.
Bournemouth took the lead in the first half when Evanilson capitalized on a defensive error, slotting home after a cross from David Brooks. City had an opportunity to equalize before halftime, but Erling Haaland’s penalty was saved by goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.
In the second half, City responded strongly. Haaland redeemed himself by scoring the equalizer, marking his 30th goal of the season and equaling a record set by Ruud van Nistelrooy 21 years ago. However, his celebration was short-lived as he suffered an ankle injury shortly after and was substituted.
Substitute Omar Marmoush made an immediate impact, scoring the winning goal with his first touch after an assist from Nico O’Reilly. This victory sets up a semi-final clash against Nottingham Forest at Wembley Stadium on the weekend of April 26-27, 2025.
Manager Pep Guardiola expressed satisfaction with the team’s resilience and performance, highlighting the contributions of both seasoned players and emerging talents like O’Reilly. However, he also voiced concern over Haaland’s injury, noting that further assessments would determine the severity.
As City prepares for the semi-final, fans remain hopeful for Haaland’s swift recovery and are encouraged by the team’s depth and determination displayed in the comeback win.
