Haaland hat-trick powers City to FA Cup semis with 4-0 rout of Liverpool

Haaland reigns supreme at the Etihad

Erling Haaland delivered a commanding performance, scoring a clinical hat-trick as Manchester City dismantled Liverpool 4-0 in the FA Cup quarter-finals. The victory at the Etihad Stadium sends City into the semi-finals for a record-extending eighth successive season, maintaining their flawless home record in the competition under Pep Guardiola. Haaland’s treble — his 12th for the club — included a penalty, a powerful header, and a thunderous strike off the crossbar, bringing his season tally to 31 goals across all competitions.

The Norwegian had endured a relatively quiet spell before this match, scoring just twice in his previous six outings. But his predatory instincts returned in full force, capitalizing on Liverpool’s defensive lapses. Guardiola watched the match from the stands, serving a touchline ban, but his team needed no guidance as they surged ahead. Early chances fell to both sides, with Jeremy Doku and Hugo Ekitike missing opportunities, but City seized control after winning a penalty when Nico O’Reilly was tripped by Virgil van Dijk.

Liverpool’s struggles deepen

Liverpool’s disappointing season took another turn for the worse. Mohamed Salah, returning after announcing his departure at the end of the campaign, saw his penalty saved by substitute goalkeeper James Trafford. The moment summed up a frustrating afternoon for the Reds, who failed to register a single shot on target. Their hopes were further dented when Salah, after being put through by Giorgi Mamardashvili’s long kick, scuffed a clear chance wide under pressure from Abdukodir Khusanov.

VAR played a role early on, dismissing a City penalty appeal after Rayan Cherki went down under a challenge from Milos Kerkez. But the officials awarded City’s eventual penalty without controversy. Antoine Semenyo added to the scoring with a composed finish after a clever pass from Cherki, then almost embarrassed Mamardashvili with a chipped effort from the halfway line. Haaland completed his hat-trick before the hour mark, sealing a comprehensive victory that exposed Liverpool’s fragility.

What’s next for both sides?

For City, the win keeps alive their pursuit of a second domestic treble, with momentum building at a crucial stage of the season. The emergence of young players like O’Reilly and Cherki highlights the depth and versatility within Guardiola’s squad. The Etihad faithful celebrated with a Poznan, while Cherki showcased confidence with audacious flicks in his own box.

"When Haaland is on form, he doesn’t just score — he demoralizes the opposition," said a FootballPulse analyst.