Manchester City have booked their place in the 2026 Carabao Cup final after a commanding 3-1 victory over Newcastle United at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night. The result, a comprehensive 5-1 aggregate triumph, sets up a mouth-watering Wembley showpiece against Premier League leaders Arsenal on March 22. Egyptian forward Omar Marmoush was the star of the show, netting a first-half brace to dismantle the Magpies' hopes of a comeback before Tijjani Reijnders added a third to put the tie beyond doubt.
Marmoush and Reijnders Shine in Semi-Final Rout
Holding a comfortable 2-0 lead from the first leg at St. James' Park, Pep Guardiola’s side showed no signs of complacency. Omar Marmoush, who has been a revelation since his arrival, wasted no time in extending City's advantage. Just seven minutes into the contest, the Egyptian striker fired a shot that deflected fortuitously off Dan Burn and looped over Newcastle goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale to open the scoring.
City continued to dominate, and Marmoush doubled his tally on the half-hour mark. Displaying his predatory instincts, he drifted to the back post to nod home a precise cross, effectively killing off the tie as a contest. The hosts weren't finished there; shortly before the break, Dutch midfielder Tijjani Reijnders coolly slotted past Ramsdale to make it 3-0 on the night and 5-0 on aggregate, capping a devastating first-half performance.
Newcastle Grab Consolation but Fall Short
Newcastle United, aiming to reach their third final in four years, struggled to contain City's fluid attack but found a glimmer of light in the second half. Anthony Elanga, who had earlier missed a golden opportunity, finally got on the scoresheet in the 62nd minute with a curled effort past City goalkeeper James Trafford. However, it was too little, too late for Eddie Howe's men, who were ultimately outclassed over the two legs.
Pep Guardiola vs Mikel Arteta: The Wembley Showdown
The stage is now set for a titanic clash at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, March 22, 2026. Manchester City will face Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, who secured their own spot in the final with a dramatic aggregate victory over Chelsea earlier in the week. This meeting pits the Master against the Apprentice once again, with Guardiola chasing his fifth Carabao Cup triumph and Arteta looking to add more silverware to Arsenal's growing cabinet.
The final promises to be one of the most significant fixtures of the 2025/26 calendar. With Arsenal currently leading the Premier League title race and chasing a potential quadruple, City will be desperate to derail their rivals' momentum and reclaim the trophy they dominated for so long. The tactical battle between the two managers, combined with the star power on display—from Erling Haaland and Marmoush to Arsenal's Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz—ensures this will be a global spectacle.
Squad Depth Proves Vital for City
What stood out most on Wednesday was the strength of Manchester City's squad. Guardiola opted to start with Erling Haaland on the bench, trusting Marmoush to lead the line—a decision that paid dividends. The Egyptian's movement and finishing were exemplary, and he was unlucky not to seal a hat-trick, blazing a late effort just over the bar.
Defensively, the inclusion of James Trafford in goal proved inspired. The young shot-stopper made two crucial saves in the first half to deny Joe Willock and Anthony Gordon when the score was still within reach for Newcastle. With new signings like Antoine Semenyo and Rayan Cherki also contributing in the first leg, City's refreshed squad looks primed for the business end of the season.
Highlights and Key Reactions
Speaking after the match, Marmoush praised the team's mentality. "We knew they would come at us, but we killed the game early," the two-goal hero told reporters. "Now we focus on Wembley. Playing Arsenal in a final is what you dream of."
For Newcastle, the defeat marks the end of their Carabao Cup journey for another year. Despite the disappointment, the Magpies showed flashes of quality, particularly through Elanga and substitute Yoane Wissa, but they ultimately lacked the clinical edge to trouble the champions. All eyes now turn to March 22, where English football's two current giants will collide for the first major trophy of the season.
