Manchester City booked another visit to Wembley this season after Erling Haaland’s hat-trick powered them to a dominant 4-0 victory over Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
Antoine Semenyo also found the net at the Etihad Stadium as City overwhelmed the Reds, while Mohamed Salah endured a frustrating outing, missing a second-half penalty during what has been described as his farewell run.
The match began at a frantic pace, with Abdukodir Khusanov producing a vital block to stop Salah, and Rayan Cherki failing to capitalise on a through ball from Bernardo Silva due to a heavy first touch.
City eventually took control in the 39th minute when Nico O’Reilly was fouled by Virgil van Dijk inside the box, allowing Haaland to convert from the penalty spot and send Giorgi Mamardashvili the wrong way.
That opener shifted momentum firmly in City’s favour. Haaland doubled the advantage just before the break with a header from Semenyo’s delivery, before Semenyo added a third early in the second half with a delicate chipped finish.
Haaland completed his hat-trick in the 57th minute, finishing from O’Reilly’s assist. Liverpool’s woes deepened soon after when Salah’s penalty was saved by James Trafford following a foul by Matheus Nunes on Hugo Ekitike.
**Data Debrief: Haaland delivers again**
Despite an even number of shots (11 each), City were far more clinical, generating 2.5 expected goals (xG) compared to Liverpool’s 1.43.
Haaland contributed 1.76 xG alone, scoring with all three of his attempts despite having just 16 touches—the fewest of any City starter.
Since joining City in July 2022, the Norwegian striker has now recorded 12 hat-tricks in all competitions, the highest total across Europe’s top five leagues, surpassing Harry Kane (11). Liverpool also became the 11th different side he has scored a hat-trick against.
He is also the first player since Matt Le Tissier in the 1993-94 season to score five goals against Liverpool across all competitions in a single campaign.
