FA Cup

Haaland sinks Liverpool to new depths

With three goals from the Norwegian, and another from Semenyo, Manchester City demolished Liverpool and qualified for the FA Cup semi-finals.

Phil Noble

Xavi Heras Andy Hall

Mánchester (Inglaterra) Update: Apr 4th, 2026 11:17 EDT

It was a humiliating afternoon for the reigning Premier League champions. Mohamed Salah looked like a shadow of the player who became a Liverpool and English‑football legend. Liverpool were as poor as Manchester City were brilliant.

With Pep Guardiola watching from the stands while serving a suspension, City became the first team ever to reach the FA Cup semifinals eight straight seasons. And with Erling Haaland back to his devastating best — delivering a hat trick that tore Arne Slot’s team apart — the result felt inevitable long before the final whistle.

Stepping out at Etihad Stadium ✨ pic.twitter.com/rnaQVVUs7p
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 4, 2026

Liverpool start strong… briefly

After an even opening, Liverpool threatened to take control. In the 12th minute, Hugo Ekitiké and Florian Wirtz combined on a slick move that ended with the French striker firing from the edge of the box. Three minutes later, Salah slipped away from Khusanov to latch onto a long ball from Mamardashvili.

But the Uzbek defender recovered brilliantly, appearing out of nowhere to block Salah’s shot just as the Egyptian was already picturing his celebration. Moments later, Rayan Cherki wasted a clear chance at the other end, leaving him just as stunned.

Cherki then appealed for a penalty, igniting the Etihad crowd. The matchup between the two dominant English teams of the past decade was living up to the hype — until Liverpool collapsed and City took full control.

Two shots, two goals 🤩

Erling Haaland’s seven-minute double sees @ManCity two goals to the good at the break 👊#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/0DkUNNFnur
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) April 4, 2026

Haaland flips the game

Haaland struck late in the first half to completely change the tone of the match — and essentially decide the tie. Virgil van Dijk helped City’s cause by bringing down Matt O’Reilly in the box, gifting Haaland a penalty in the 39th minute. The Norwegian buried it with total confidence, sending Mamardashvili the wrong way.

The knockout blows

Two minutes into stoppage time, Haaland doubled the lead. Cherki beat Kerkez on the wing and fed Semenyo, who whipped a cross toward the six‑yard box. Haaland rose above Konaté and powered an unstoppable header into the top corner. The cyborg was fully activated.

He stayed that way after the break.

Antoine Semenyo gives @ManCity a THIRD of the afternoon 🤯#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/80diGtjSYJ
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) April 4, 2026

Five minutes into the second half, Semenyo delivered the goal that effectively ended Liverpool’s hopes. Cherki again played a key role, threading a pass behind Van Dijk that left Semenyo one‑on‑one with Mamardashvili. The Ghanaian finished with ease, chipping the keeper and killing off any chance of a comeback.

From there, Liverpool folded — and Haaland punished them again.

Before the hour mark, the Norwegian completed his hat trick. O’Reilly and Doku did the heavy lifting, with the League Cup final hero bursting into the box and squaring the ball for Haaland to tap into an empty net. It was his fifth goal in his last three matches against Liverpool. A monster.

A sublime performance from Erling Haaland against Liverpool, brought to you by @ClearScore 📊 pic.twitter.com/778JMUNy38
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) April 4, 2026

A long walk home for Liverpool

Salah had a chance to salvage some pride from the penalty spot, but Trafford denied him. After that, both teams shifted their focus to what’s next: Slot began rotating ahead of Liverpool’s Champions League clash with PSG, while City soaked up another dose of confidence as they prepare for the uphill battle of chasing down Arsenal in the Premier League.

Their FA Cup semifinal spot had been locked up long before the final whistle. The winners of this evening’s tie between Chelsea and Port Vale await.