Mahrez scored a hat-trick and helped Manchester City advance to the final of the FA Cup
Riyad Mahrez, a winger for Manchester City, scored three goals in their 3-0 win over Sheffield United at Wembley, securing a spot for the team in the FA Cup final. Mahrez’s first goal came from a penalty in the first half, while his second and third were scored in the second half within five minutes of each other.
His second goal was an impressive solo effort, as he weaved through the opposition’s defense to score, and his third was a first-time strike from a cross by Jack Grealish. This win puts Manchester City in the FA Cup final for the first time since 2019 and keeps them in contention for three trophies this season.
ep Guardiola made six changes to the starting line-up after saying his players were too exhausted to celebrate reaching the Champions League semi-finals.
In the match, Illiman Ndiaye almost scored for the Championship side in the opening moments but his effort was smothered by Stefan Ortega Moreno. Haaland’s 30-yard drive was disallowed as referee Stuart Attwell gave a foul in the build-up.
City patiently tried to create opportunities with Julian Alvarez’s curling effort saved by Blades keeper Wes Foderingham. Despite enjoying 80% possession, City struggled to score until Bernardo was fouled by Daniel Jebbison inside the box, leading to Mahrez’s coolly-taken penalty just before half-time.
In the second half, Manchester City continued to dominate possession and put pressure on Sheffield United’s defense in search of more goals. Despite the Blades holding firm and organized, City managed to create chances, with Haaland coming close from a deflected strike and Alvarez firing over the bar.
Manchester City eventually doubled their lead on the hour mark, with Riyad Mahrez making a brilliant run and calmly slotting the ball past the Sheffield United keeper. Mahrez completed his hat-trick just five minutes later, turning in a cross from Jack Grealish with a delightful finish.
With the cushion of a comfortable lead, Pep Guardiola was able to make substitutions and rest some of his players from the midweek victory over Bayern Munich. Phil Foden set up Alvarez for a chance to score a fourth goal in injury time, but the effort narrowly missed the target.
Manchester City dominated possession in the second half and continued to push forward for more goals, but Sheffield United’s defense held up well. Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez both had chances to score, but were unable to convert.
However, Mahrez managed to break through Sheffield’s defense in the 60th minute with a brilliant run, calmly sidefooting the ball past the goalkeeper to score his second goal of the game. Just five minutes later, he completed his hat-trick with a beautifully-taken finish from Jack Grealish’s cross.
Guardiola took the opportunity to make some substitutions, resting some of the key players who had played in the Champions League win against Bayern Munich. Alvarez almost added a fourth goal in injury time, but his effort narrowly missed the target. Overall, it was a comfortable win for Manchester City, securing their place in the FA Cup final.
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