Wembley Stadium is set for a dramatic showdown as Chelsea and Manchester City collide in this afternoon's FA Cup final—a clash where both teams are desperate to erase painful memories under the iconic arch.
For Manchester City, this marks a historic fourth consecutive FA Cup final appearance, a feat never before achieved. Yet the record comes with a sting: Pep Guardiola's side has lost the last two finals, including a surprising defeat to Crystal Palace last season and a loss to Manchester United in 2024. The Cityzens are hungry to break that streak and reclaim the trophy.
Chelsea, meanwhile, carries its own burden. The Blues have lost six straight domestic cup finals, a streak dating back to 2019. Their last major domestic cup triumph? The 2017/18 FA Cup under Antonio Conte. The West Londoners know all too well the pain of repeated Wembley heartbreak—they're the only team to lose three consecutive FA Cup finals, a record they set between 2020 and 2022.
This afternoon's match marks the first time these two giants have met as FA Cup finalists, though they've faced off in three previous cup finals. The history is rich: Chelsea edged City 5-4 in the 1986 Full Members' Cup final, with David Speedie scoring a hat-trick at Wembley. City got revenge in the 2019 League Cup final, winning on penalties in a match famously remembered for Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga refusing to be substituted ahead of the shootout.
Their most recent Wembley meeting came in the 2018 Community Shield, where Sergio Aguero's brace gave City a 2-0 win. And football fans will never forget the 2021 Champions League final in Porto, where Kai Havertz's goal crowned Chelsea European champions—their last victory over City. Since that night, Chelsea has gone winless in 13 matches against Guardiola's side, losing 10.
Both teams arrive seeking redemption. For City, it's about breaking a two-final losing streak and making history. For Chelsea, it's about ending a six-final drought and proving they can still compete on the biggest stage. The stage is set for a classic Wembley reckoning.