Ranking the Top 10 FA Cup Final Goals in Football History

From Ricky Villa's iconic dribble in 1981 to Ilkay Gundogan's record-breaking strike in 2023, these are the most unforgettable FA Cup final goals.

The Magic of FA Cup Finals There’s something unforgettable about the moments leading up to an FA Cup final kickoff. Picture the scene: trumpets blaring, fans buzzing, and players radiating tension as managers pace the dugout in full match attire. The thrill of a new hero stepping onto the Wembley stage is unmatched. Many of us have a decade in football where every final feels seared into memory—the kits, the colors, the goal scorers, and captains ascending Wembley’s steps. I still recall details like Paul Rideout’s strike in ’95 or Eric Cantona’s strike against Liverpool with perfect clarity. ## Top 10 FA Cup Final Goals Ranked Some goals transcend mere moments to become woven into FA Cup folklore, immortalized in highlight reels. These are the jaw-dropping strikes, the moments of pure skill, and the goals that etched themselves into history. The list below ranks the top 10 FA Cup final goals ever scored. ## Youri Tielemans’ Stunning Strike 2021 Leicester City’s miracle season in 2016—winning the Premier League at 5,000-1 odds—was legendary, but their first FA Cup in 2021 was nearly as monumental. The moment was sealed by a thunderous strike from Youri Tielemans. Receiving a pass inside Chelsea’s half, he controlled it with two touches before unleashing a rocket into Kepa Arrizabalaga’s top corner. Only 20,000 fans were present due to Covid restrictions, but Leicester’s supporters still cherish that triumph as they now compete in League One. ## Ben Watson’s Last-Minute Heroics 2013 Wigan Athletic’s 2013 FA Cup final win over Manchester City remains one of football’s greatest shocks. The game was decided in stoppage time when Ben Watson rose like a leaping salmon to meet Shaun Maloney’s corner at the near post, directing a looping header into the far corner past a stunned City side that had just claimed their first Premier League title the year prior. The drama was complete, though Wigan’s fans were back in London three days later, watching their team suffer relegation after a 4-1 loss to Arsenal. ## Charlie George’s Iconic Extra-Time Winner 1971 Charlie George’s celebration after scoring Arsenal’s winner against Liverpool in 1971 is etched into FA Cup history. Lying flat on his back with arms outstretched, his scruffy sideburns and triumphant grin became synonymous with Arsenal’s double-winning season. With exhausted legs, he played a quick one-two before drilling a shot past Ray Clemence from the edge of the box. Reflecting on the strike, George said, "As soon as it left my foot, I knew it was a goal." ## Ray Parlour’s Curl From Distance 2002 Ray Parlour, dubbed the ‘Romford Pele,’ wasn’t known for prolific scoring, having netted just once in 37 games before Arsenal’s 2002 FA Cup final against Chelsea. But with 20 minutes left at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, he produced magic. Receiving Sylvain Wiltord’s pass, Parlour initially looked to pass but spotted space 30 yards out. With defenders backing off, he unleashed a curling effort past a stranded Carlo Cudicini. Freddie Ljungberg added a solo winner 10 minutes later to secure the trophy for north London. ## Norman Whiteside’s Extra-Time Brilliance 1985 Manchester United entered the 1985 FA Cup final against Everton as underdogs, reduced to 10 men in extra time while Everton chased a historic treble. With the score deadlocked, Mark Hughes threaded a pass to Norman Whiteside, who advanced down the right flank. Using a subtle stepover, he created space to curl a shot past Pat van den Hauwe and Everton goalkeeper Neville Southall into the far corner. Whiteside later recounted the moment, saying, "Some people have had the audacity to ask if it was a cross!" ## Ilkay Gundogan’s Record-Breaking Volley 2023 Twelve seconds into the 2023 FA Cup final between Manchester City and Manchester United, Ilkay Gundogan seized his moment. With captain’s armband proudly displayed, he received a dropping ball and unleashed a ferocious volley that dipped and flew into David de Gea’s top corner. This strike stands as the fastest goal ever scored in an FA Cup final. Gundogan later added another goal to secure City the trophy before they claimed the Champions League title a week later, completing a historic treble. ## Michael Owen’s Dazzling Double 2001 Michael Owen was the embodiment of electrifying talent by the 2001 FA Cup final against Arsenal, despite early hamstring concerns. The diminutive forward, appearing like a schoolboy in oversized kit, equalized for Liverpool in the 83rd minute with a half-volley. His winner five minutes later showcased his brilliance. Under pressure, Patrik Berger’s clearance found Owen in space. He outpaced Lee Dixon, controlled the ball away from Tony Adams, and fired a left-footed shot inside David Seaman’s far post. Owen later reflected, "If I could have one day back, I would rewind to that day." ## Roberto Di Matteo’s Early Thunderbolt 1997 In the 1997 FA Cup final, Chelsea faced Middlesbrough in a game that began with fans barely settled in their seats. Within the first minute, Roberto Di Matteo received a pass 10 yards inside his own half and embarked on a solo run. Surpassing a confused Middlesbrough midfield, he unleashed a ferocious strike from 30 yards that cannoned off the underside of the crossbar and into the net. Di Matteo sprinted in celebration, teammates struggling to catch up as Chelsea won 2-0, claiming their first major trophy in 26 years. ## Steven Gerrard’s Iconic 40-Yard Strike 2006 Steven Gerrard’s reputation for scoring spectacular goals was cemented by his strike against West Ham in the 2006 FA Cup final. With cramp coursing through his legs and Liverpool trailing 3-2 in added time, Gerrard swung his right boot at a bobbling ball from 40 yards out. The strike flew just above the turf, beating Shaka Hislop before nestling in the net. Goalkeeper Hislop admitted, "I saw him coming on to it but there were a lot of players between him and me, and he hit it so well it was in the back of the net almost before I could react." Liverpool won on penalties, with Gerrard converting his spot kick. He later said, "When that went in I felt like the most special and important player in the world." ## Ricky Villa’s Legendary Dribble 1981 At the top of the list is the breathtaking brilliance of Ricky Villa, whose FA Cup final heroics for Tottenham against Manchester City in 1981 remain unmatched. Villa had been withdrawn days earlier in a 1-1 draw but delivered when it mattered most. With the score 2-2 and 14 minutes remaining, he embarked on his famous dribble—shorts clinging to his quads, hair flowing in the Wembley breeze, evading City defenders before slotting the ball past hapless goalkeeper Joe Corrigan. Reflecting on the moment, Villa told reporters, "I remember getting the ball and my first instinct was to attack. As soon as I ran towards the goal I forgot about everyone around me. I lost control of the ball just a little before the goal but I shot and I was lucky before I scored. Sometimes you need a little luck and this is what happened. It changed my life in the English league."