The stakes were sky-high as Manchester City welcomed Liverpool to the Etihad for a blockbuster FA Cup quarter-final clash. Both sides threw caution to the wind from kick-off, treating fans to a breathless opening. Abdukodir Khusanov intervened expertly to block Mohamed Salah’s early opening, foreshadowing a day of frustration for Liverpool’s talisman. Meanwhile, Rayan Cherki nearly seized his moment for City, but a heavy touch after Bernardo Silva’s slick through-ball kept the tie level in the early stages. The tension on both benches was almost palpable as each side sought the breakthrough that could define their season.
Turning point: Haaland breaks the deadlock
The deadlock finally broke in the 39th minute thanks to decisive play from City’s rising star, Nico O’Reilly, who drew a clumsy challenge from Virgil van Dijk in the Liverpool box. Erling Haaland, never one to shy away from the big moment, slotted home the penalty with trademark coolness, sending Giorgi Mamardashvili the wrong way.
Momentum shifted irreversibly as the Norwegian doubled the lead just before the half-time whistle, nodding home Antoine Semenyo’s pin-point cross. City’s attacking rhythm was relentless, and as fans caught their breath during half-time, it was clear Pep Guardiola’s side had one foot firmly planted on Wembley’s hallowed turf.
Second-half onslaught: Goals galore and missed opportunities
Liverpool entered the second half desperate for a response, but instead, it was Manchester City who struck again. Only five minutes after the restart, Semenyo broke through Liverpool’s wavering defense to chip expertly over the onrushing keeper, making it 3-0.
The rout continued just before the hour mark when Haaland completed his hat-trick, tucking away O’Reilly’s cutback with ruthless efficiency.
Liverpool’s woes were compounded by a rare missed penalty from Salah, whose attempt was parried away by James Trafford after Hugo Ekitike was fouled by Matheus Nunes. As Manchester City surged forward, Liverpool’s attacks fizzled under the weight of City’s confident, disciplined defending.
Numbers tell the tale: Haaland’s historic hat-trick and City’s clinical edge
Behind the spectacle lay some remarkable facts that make this result even more impressive. Manchester City generated 2.5 expected goals (xG) from 11 shots, demonstrating clinical finishing compared to Liverpool’s 1.43 xG from an identical shot count.
Haaland’s personal contribution was nothing short of extraordinary—he clocked 1.76 xG, notched a perfect three goals from three shots, and registered the fewest touches of any City starter with just 16. Since joining City in July 2022, Haaland has now racked up an astonishing 12 hat-tricks in all competitions—more than any other player in Europe’s big five leagues during that span, surpassing Harry Kane’s tally of 11. Liverpool became the 11th club he’s netted three or more goals against since donning the sky blue shirt.
Perhaps most impressively, Haaland is the first player since Matt Le Tissier in 1993-94 to score five goals against Liverpool in a single season across all competitions.
Key moments in numbers:
- Erling Haaland: 12 career hat-tricks for Manchester City
- Hat-tricks against 11 different teams in City colors
- 2.5 xG from 11 City shots; 1.43 xG from 11 Liverpool shots
- Haaland: 1.76 xG from three shots and only 16 touches
- Salah: Penalty miss amid a difficult start to his Liverpool farewell