- The FA Cup is football’s oldest national football competition and the final remains one of the most eagerly anticipated dates on the English calendar
- We look at the best goals scored in the FA Cup finals in history
The FA Cup continues to hold a special place in English football, blending tradition, drama and unforgettable moments across generations. The competition has always provided a platform where underdogs can take on giants and legends can be made in just one game.
The FA Cup final has seen some of the most memorable moments in sports history. Players who may have been average throughout the regular season have often played incredibly well when the pressure is on. One goal at Wembley may make or break a career, make a rookie player famous, or cement the legacy of an established star.
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The final is special because you never know what will happen. Once the whistle blows, form, league position, and reputation frequently don’t matter. Fans have seen amazing comebacks, last-minute victories, and incredible strikes that will live on in football history.
With that short introduction, let’s take a look back at some of the most famous goals ever scored in an FA Cup final. These are moments that are still replayed and celebrated years after they happened.
2006- Steven Gerrard
At Liverpool, Steven Gerrard was frequently the subject of high expectations. It’s possible that his performance in the 2006 final turned him into a true “Roy of the Rovers.”
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The Reds were the favorites against a determined West Ham team, but they fell down by two goals in the first thirty minutes of the match in Cardiff thanks to strikes from Dean Ashton and an own goal by Jamie Carragher, who set up the Hammers for an unexpected victory.
After bringing Liverpool back into the game, Gerrard first set up Djibril Cissé for a goal before converting a knockdown by Peter Crouch to make it an equalizer.
Paul Konchesky’s cross fooled Pepe Reina in a thrilling finish, but Gerrard added one more, breathtaking twist to turn the story around.
Gerrard struck with lightning speed to smash a loose ball past Shaka Hislop and force extra time as the allotted stoppage time was called at the Millennium Stadium. Gerrard’s position in the history of the tournament was secured when Liverpool prevailed in an exciting penalty shootout final. I find it hard to believe he has ever hit a football nicer, even by the standards he set.
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1981- Ricky Villa
Following a 1-1 tie between Tottenham and Manchester City, the 1981 final was pushed into a replay, with the teams playing again at Wembley five days later.
Four goals were shared in a close match until Ricky Villa’s magical moment guaranteed that the FA Cup would travel to North London.
The Argentine took matters into his own hands after winning the ball about 40 yards out from goal and outlasting a series of opponents wearing blue shirts. Villa broke through the City defense, ducked into the penalty area, sidestepped several challenges, and then sent a weak shot past Joe Corrigan.
Something exceptional was required to settle an evenly matched final, and Villa delivered the moment that cemented his legacy in FA Cup history.
1997- Roberto Di Matteo
Although Ruud Gullit’s pregame speech probably focused on getting the 1997 FA final off to a strong start, even the Chelsea manager could not have predicted the kind of start his team would have.
Roberto Di Matteo opened the score at Wembley in a flash, taking just 42 seconds to drive from within his own half and smash a ferocious attempt in off the underside of the crossbar.
At the time, Di Matteo’s drive was the fastest goal ever scored at Wembley in an FA Cup final. Louis Saha later eclipsed that mark during Everton’s 2-1 loss to Chelsea in 2009.
The Italian’s goal put Chelsea ahead 2-0 and gave them their first major prize in 27 years. The midfielder then pulled off the same feat in the 2000 championship victory over Aston Villa, scoring the game’s lone goal.
1991- Stuart Pearce
Stuart Pearce was known for his thunderous football smashes, and he gave Nottingham Forest the lead in the 1991 final. Paul Gascoigne, a midfielder for Tottenham, was stretchered off the pitch after hurting himself after a violent challenge on Gary Charles, which resulted in the awarding of the free kick.
Pearce compounded the problem for Gascoigne and Spurs by hammering home the ensuing free-kick with a powerful blow. But Spurs rallied to win the cup in extra time, with goals from Paul Stewart to equalize and Des Walker to score an own goal. With this victory, the North Londoners became the first team to win the iconic cup eight times.
2002- Ray Parlour
Ray Parlour was unsuccessful in scoring goals for Arsenal, and his first goal in the team’s 2002 FA Cup victory over Chelsea was perhaps the best one.
Tim Lovejoy, the TV host and Chelsea supporter, mumbled something he regretted seconds later, and that phrase will always be linked to Parlour’s peach in Cardiff.
Serving as a humorous pundit alongside Bradley Walsh, who supports Arsenal, Lovejoy’s remarks came back to haunt him spectacularly when Parlour surged forward and bent an unstoppable finish into the top corner.
Part one of Arsene Wenger’s domestic double was completed when Arsenal overcame a loss in the previous season’s championship game thanks to an equally spectacular goal from Freddie Ljungberg in a 2-0 victory.
Conclusion
The FA Cup final is still one of the most exciting events in English football. History, drama, and iconic moments all come together on the Wembley ground.
Over the years, several players have made their mark on the tournament’s history with amazing goals that still excite fans all over the world.
These moments, like a last-minute victory, a thunderbolt from a distance, or a flawlessly executed team move, show why the FA Cup is so popular. Fans will always remember the FA Cup final as a moment of excitement, emotion, and memories that will last a lifetime, whether they are celebrating previous great or looking forward to future heroes.
