Overview

The 2013 FA Cup Final, the 132nd edition of the world's oldest knockout football competition, was played on 11 May 2013 at Wembley Stadium. The match pitted Premier League side Manchester City, widely regarded as favourites, against Wigan Athletic, who were seen as underdogs. The contest ended in a dramatic 1–0 victory for Wigan thanks to a stoppage-time headed goal by Ben Watson.

Route to the final

Both clubs progressed through several rounds to reach Wembley. The FA Cup is open to teams across the English football pyramid, and the 2013 final continued the tournament's tradition of producing surprise results. Wigan's run was noted for overcoming higher-ranked opponents, while Manchester City featured a squad built to compete for major honours.

Match summary

The final was tightly contested and low-scoring for most of the 90 minutes. Defences held and clear chances were relatively rare, creating tense late stages. The decisive moment arrived in stoppage time when Wigan secured a corner and Ben Watson connected to score the only goal.

  1. Regular time: both teams exchanged limited opportunities with midfield battles dominating the match.
  2. Late pressure: Manchester City pushed to find a winner, increasing attacking intent in the closing minutes.
  3. Stoppage-time winner: Wigan scored from a set piece—Ben Watson's header clinched a 1–0 victory.

Aftermath and significance

Wigan's triumph represented the club's first major trophy and is widely remembered as one of the competition's most notable upsets. The win provided a historic high point for Wigan Athletic's supporters and staff. For Manchester City, the loss was a painful surprise in a season when they were competing on multiple fronts. The match is often cited when discussing the FA Cup's capacity for dramatic, unexpected outcomes.

Notable facts

  • The final was staged at Wembley Stadium, the traditional venue for the FA Cup showpiece.
  • The game is remembered for its dramatic late finish and for underlining the cup's unpredictability.
  • Both clubs and their managers received widespread attention in the media; the result contributed to ongoing debates about resources, squad depth, and the nature of one-off cup finals.

For further context on the competition and the clubs involved, see entries on the FA Cup, Manchester City, Wigan Athletic and the Wembley Stadium.