Man City Lift Carabao Cup after 2-0 Victory over Arsenal at Wembley

Manchester City have been crowned 2025/26 Carabao Cup champions after a commanding 2-0 victory over Arsenal in a historic final at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, March 22, 2026. A stunning second-half brace from 21-year-old academy graduate Nico O'Reilly proved the difference, as Pep Guardiola's side silenced the Premier League leaders to claim the first major trophy of the English football season. A highly anticipated trophy for both sides.

 

This was not just another cup final, it was a statement. Here is everything you need to know about one of the biggest results in football today.

 

Match Summary: Arsenal 0-2 Manchester City — Carabao Cup Final 2026

The 2025/26 EFL Cup Final lived up to its billing as the biggest Carabao Cup final in recent memory. For the very first time in the competition's history, the top two clubs in the Premier League table faced each other in the final, Arsenal, leading the Premier League table by nine points, against a Manchester City side hungry to prove they still belonged among English football's elite.

 

Wembley's iconic 90,000-capacity stadium was packed with an electric atmosphere as two of England's finest clubs went toe-to-toe for the most prestigious domestic cup trophy outside of the FA Cup.

 

First Half: Arsenal Dominant But Wasteful

Arsenal began the match brightly, dominating the first 20 minutes and putting Pep Guardiola's side under considerable pressure. The Gunners, led out by Captain Bukayo Saka, had several promising moments in the opening exchanges but were unable to convert their early superiority into goals.

 

City, deploying a possession-based system typical of Guardiola's philosophy, gradually wrestled control of the game away from their opponents. Erling Haaland led the line for the Citizens while Rayan Cherki and Jeremy Doku provided constant width and creativity on either flank.

 

The first half ended goalless, but the momentum had already shifted. The North London boys were already beginning to give up possessions. Manchester City were beginning to assert themselves, and Arsenal despite carrying the weight of Premier League expectancy were starting to look vulnerable.

 

Second Half: O'Reilly Delivers a Wembley Classic

The second half was where the match transformed from a tightly contested cup final into a masterclass by Manchester City. City dominated proceedings from the restart, peppering Arsenal's goalmouth and forcing Kepa Arrizabalaga — chosen by Mikel Arteta as his designated cup goalkeeper ahead of David Raya — into a series of uncomfortable moments.

 

Goal 1 - Nico O'Reilly (60') - Kepa Error

The deadlock was broken on the hour mark in the most dramatic of fashions. A looping delivery from Rayan Cherki caused chaos in Arsenal's penalty area, and Kepa made a catastrophic error, the Spaniard spilled the ball straight into the path of O'Reilly, who reacted instantly to nod home from close range.

 

The young left-back, a boyhood City fan and product of the club's renowned academy, was overcome with emotion as he celebrated his landmark Wembley goal.

 

Goal 2 - Nico O'Reilly (64') - Clinical Finish

With Arsenal still reeling, Manchester City struck again just four minutes later. Some slick, patient build-up play from the Citizens resulted in Matheus Nunes delivering a perfectly weighted chip to the far post. O'Reilly, making another intelligent run from the back, powered a header into the net to double City's lead and effectively end the contest.

 

Two goals. Two headers. Four minutes apart. A star was born at Wembley.

 

Arsenal's Late Rallying Effort Falls Short

Arsenal refused to give up. Mikel Arteta threw on substitutes Noni Madueke and Riccardo Calafiori in an attempt to spark a comeback, and the Gunners came close on two occasions.

 

Calafiori struck the right post with a superb volley, and Gabriel Jesus saw a looping header rattle the crossbar before bouncing away to safety. But it was not to be for the Gunners, who were left to reflect on a painful afternoon at Wembley — their record-extending seventh League Cup final defeat.

 

Historic Records Made at Wembley

This Carabao Cup final was packed full of historic milestones. Here are the key records set on the day:

 

•         Manchester City - 9 EFL Cup titles. The Citizens now stand second on the all-time list, just one behind Liverpool's record of 10 League Cup titles.

•         Pep Guardiola - 5 League Cup titles as manager. The Spanish tactician becomes the most successful manager in League Cup history, surpassing the records of Sir Alex Ferguson and Brian Clough. This was also his 19th major honour as Manchester City boss.

•         Arsenal - 7 League Cup final defeats. A painful record. The Gunners have now lost more League Cup finals than any other club in the history of the competition.

•         First-ever League Cup Final between the top two. This was the first occasion in the Carabao Cup's history that the two clubs sitting first and second in the Premier League table met in the final.

 

Team Lineups

 

Club	Starting XI
Arsenal	Kepa Arrizabalaga; (defence); Kai Havertz; Bukayo Saka (c)
Manchester City	James Trafford; Matheus Nunes, Abdukodir Khusanov, Nathan Ake, Nico O'Reilly; Rodri, Bernardo Silva (c); Antoine Semenyo, Rayan Cherki, Jeremy Doku; Erling Haaland

 

City's first-choice goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was named among the substitutes, with James Trafford deputising between the sticks, an arrangement that mirrored Arsenal's decision to start Kepa over David Raya.

 

Pep Guardiola's Reaction

The Manchester City manager was visibly moved following the final whistle, offering praise for his players while acknowledging the difficulty of the occasion.

 

Guardiola highlighted the emotional weight of the win given the club's challenging recent weeks, including their exit from the UEFA Champions League. He acknowledged the quality of Arsenal as an opponent, describing Mikel Arteta's side as 'almost unbeatable,' before expressing pride in his squad's ability to rise to the occasion on the biggest domestic stage.

 

What This Means for the Premier League Title Race

While the Premier League table still shows Arsenal firmly in control, nine points clear at the top with a game in hand over City, this result adds an intriguing subplot to the remaining weeks of the season.

 

Manchester City have now demonstrated that when it matters most, they retain the winning instinct and big-game pedigree that has defined their remarkable era under Guardiola. With a game in hand and a direct league fixture against Arsenal still to come, the gap at the top of the Premier League standings could yet narrow significantly.

 

Arsenal, meanwhile, remain alive in the FA Cup and the UEFA Champions League, where they have reached the quarterfinals. The Gunners' quest for a historic trophy under Arteta, their first in six years continues, but Sunday's defeat will sting.

 

Club	Position	Notes
Arsenal	1st	Nine points clear, game in hand
Manchester City	2nd	Game in hand over Arsenal

 

Nico O'Reilly: The Hero of Wembley

The name on everyone's lips after this Carabao Cup final is undoubtedly Nico O'Reilly. The 21-year-old left-back, who came through Manchester City's academy system, delivered one of the most memorable individual performances in recent League Cup final history.

 

A double at Wembley, both goals coming via headers in the space of just four minutes, is the stuff of dreams for any young footballer. But for a boyhood City fan who grew up watching the club from the stands, it was something entirely different.

 

O'Reilly's ability to combine defensive duties with attacking output makes him one of the most exciting young talents in English football right now. This performance will only enhance his growing reputation.

 

What's Next for Manchester City and Arsenal?

Following the international break, both clubs return to domestic and European competition:

 

Manchester City: Host Liverpool in the FA Cup quarterfinal on Saturday, April 4 (12:45 UK), before returning to Premier League action. City face Chelsea away in a crucial top-flight fixture on April 12.

Arsenal: Host Bournemouth in the Premier League on April 11 and will also continue their Champions League quarterfinal campaign. With silverware now off the Carabao Cup agenda, Arteta's side refocus on winning the Premier League title and going deep in Europe.

 

Key Stats from the Carabao Cup Final 2026

 

Stat	Detail
Venue	Wembley Stadium, London
Attendance	~90,000
Scorers	Nico O'Reilly (60', 64')
Match Result	Arsenal 0-2 Manchester City
Competition	EFL Carabao Cup Final 2025/26
Man of the Match	Nico O'Reilly

 

FAQs: Carabao Cup Final 2026

 

Who won the Carabao Cup 2026?

Manchester City won the 2025/26 Carabao Cup, defeating Arsenal 2-0 in the final at Wembley Stadium on March 22, 2026.

 

Who scored in the Carabao Cup Final 2026?

Nico O'Reilly scored both goals for Manchester City, netting a brace in the 60th and 64th minutes.

 

How many times have Manchester City won the Carabao Cup?

Manchester City have now won the EFL Cup nine times, second only to Liverpool who hold the record with 10 titles.

 

What is the Carabao Cup?

The Carabao Cup, officially known as the EFL Cup, is one of England's most prestigious domestic cup competitions. It is contested annually by all 92 clubs in the English Football League and Premier League. The competition has been sponsored by Carabao Energy Drink since 2017.

 

Where does this result leave Arsenal in the Premier League?

Arsenal remain top of the Premier League table heading into the international break, nine points ahead of second-placed Manchester City, though City have a game in hand.

 

Who is Nico O'Reilly?

Nico O'Reilly is a 21-year-old left-back and Manchester City academy graduate who became the hero of the 2026 Carabao Cup Final with a stunning second-half brace at Wembley.

 

Conclusion

The 2025/26 Carabao Cup Final delivered everything English football fans could have asked for  drama, controversy, history, and a breakout star in the shape of Nico O'Reilly. Manchester City have silenced doubters and reminded the footballing world that, under Pep Guardiola, they remain a force to be reckoned with on the biggest occasions.

 

For Arsenal, the defeat is a lesson in composure and finishing under pressure. The talent and ambition are clearly there, but the Gunners will need to learn from this Wembley experience as they push for the Premier League title and beyond.

 

 

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