Manchester City beat Sheffield / AFP
Riyad Mahrez’s hat-trick saw Manchester City qualify for the FA Cup Final with a 3-0 victory over Second Division Sheffield United at Wembley on Saturday.
The Algerian winger started a penalty in the 40th minute and sealed a double in the second half (61 and 66).
City, also at Wembley, Manchester United and Brighton, will battle the winners of Sunday’s semi-finals for the title.
“I am very happy to have scored a hat-trick. The important thing is that in the last three seasons we have reached the semi-finals and lost. said Mahrez.
Pep Guardiola and his squad completed a successful final test ahead of Wednesday’s Premier League ‘final’ against Arsenal at the stadium.
Seeking a stunning treble, Champions, Premiers and Cups, the reigning champions in England, achieved only by Manchester United in 1999, played with a duel with the Gunners in mind.
The Brazilian goalkeeper, Ederson, remained on the bench as usual in cup matches, but is a member of City’s current backbone, which includes John Stones, Rubén Diaz, Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne.
This did not change Sheffield United’s plans. Sheffield United locked themselves in their own area, handed possession to the Manchester giants, waiting for a miraculous counter that meant a miracle.
-Guardiola’s second final-
Historic Sheffield United, who were second in the Championship, seven points and one game behind first rivals Luton, are almost tied for promotion two years after losing their category. .
Their fans were proud to be back at Wembley and hoped it would bring an end to an 87-year wait after the team’s last played final in 1936. I didn’t.
It will be City’s second cup final since Guardiola came to the bench in 2016. During his tenure, he won the title in 2019.
Against teams in the lower categories, he knew how to persevere until Daniel Jevison tackled Bernardo Silva after a corner was poorly cleared. The penalty was initiated by Mahrez in place of Erling Haaland, who missed one in his Champions League match against Munich on Wednesday.
Already in the second division, Mahrez marked the afternoon ‘show’ with a drive from midfield to finish inside the area. They then took advantage of Jack Grealish’s cross to add a third goal.
He became the first player since 1958 to score a high note at this stage of the competition.
On Sunday, United and Brighton, one of Britain’s most fashionable teams, will go head-to-head for a pass to the final on 3 June.
Source: Diario.Elmundo
