The unbelievable statistic that still haunts Man City’s Erling Haaland after 2026 cup win

Erling Haaland has spent the past few years turning goals into routine and records have followed. At times he makes a mockery of the most important part of the Beautiful Game, almost putting other strikers to shame. And it’s because of this relentless onion bag filling that this one statistic feels so strange.

How many final goals has Haaland scored for City?

After Manchester City’s 2-0 win over Arsenal in the 2026 Carabao Cup final, the Norwegian adds another winner’s medal to his collection, yet the same loose end remains: he has still not scored in a final for City. Nico O’Reilly was at the double this time around.

That is what makes this run so unusual. Haaland does not carry the profile of a player with unfinished business very often. He has broken Premier League scoring marks, surged past 100 goals for City at remarkable speed, and continued to post numbers that place him among the most devastating forwards of his era. Yet finals remain the awkward exception, the one corner of his City career where the usual certainty gives way to something far less predictable.

Haaland’s scoreless finals

• 2022 Community Shield – vs Liverpool
• 2022/23 FA Cup Final – vs Manchester United
• 2022/23 Champions League Final – vs Inter Milan
• 2023 Community Shield – vs Arsenal
• 2023 UEFA Super Cup – vs Sevilla
• 2023/24 FA Cup Final – vs Manchester United
• 2024 Community Shield – vs Manchester United
• 2024/25 FA Cup Final – vs Crystal Palace
• 2025/26 Carabao Cup Final – vs Arsenal

Carabao Cup win but still no goals

Even in victory, the pattern held. City found the goals they needed, controlled the game, and lifted the trophy, but Haaland’s name stayed off the scoresheet once again, in part thanks to Saliba. It is no longer a one-off or a coincidence. It is a trend that continues to follow him onto the biggest stages.

Now the conversation shifts slightly. Silverware continues to be delivered, and he plays a part in the performance, even if that’s more about occupying the best defenders. Instead, it is about that missing personal imprint, the decisive finish that would align his finals record with everything else he has achieved.

For a striker who usually lives one touch away from rewriting the story, that tension continues. The good news for him is that more final attempts are likely not to be too far away, whether at City or another European giant.

Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that on this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.

And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.