Manchester City produced a commanding performance to defeat Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley, ending the London side’s hopes of a historic quadruple. The standout figure on the night was Nico O’Reilly, whose second-half brace ultimately decided the contest in emphatic fashion.

The turning point came down to key selection decisions. Mikel Arteta placed his trust in Kepa Arrizabalaga between the posts, but the gamble failed to pay off under the bright lights of Wembley.

Just past the hour mark, the Spanish goalkeeper made a costly error, spilling a routine delivery from Rayan Cherki. Nico O’Reilly reacted quickest, nodding home from close range to break the deadlock. Momentum firmly shifted, and within four minutes Manchester City doubled their lead. Matheus Nunes delivered a precise cross to the far post, where O’Reilly once again rose above the defence to head in his second of the night.

This victory cements Pep Guardiola’s legacy even further, as he becomes the first manager to lift the Carabao Cup five times. For Arsenal, however, the wait for silverware continues, stretching back to 2020.

2025-26, EFL Cup

Arsenal - Manchester City 0:2 (0:0)
Goals: O'Reilly, 60 (0:1); O'Reilly, 64 (0:2)

Arsenal: Arrizabalaga; Saliba; White B. (Gabriel Jesus, 82); Hincapie (Calafiori, 65); Gabriel M.; Zubimendi; Saka B.; Havertz (Madueke, 66); Rice; Gyökeres; Trossard (Martinelli, 82)
Substitution: Calafiori (from 65); Madueke (from 66); Gabriel Jesus (from 82); Martinelli (from 82)
Bench: Raya; Mosquera Cr.; Lewis-Skelly; Nørgaard; Dowman M.
Yellow Cards: Hincapie 16; Arrizabalaga 51; White B. 69

Manchester City: Trafford; Ake; Khusanov; Rodri; Bernardo Silva; Matheus Nunes; Cherki (Foden, 90); O'Reilly; Håland E.; Doku J.; Semenyo
Substitution: Foden (from 90)
Bench: Donnarumma G.; Stones; Aït-Nouri; Reijnders; Kovacic M.; Nico González; Sávio Moreira; Marmoush
Yellow Cards: Khusanov 32