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However, Southampton would put in a superb defensive performance, and Azaz was among their best performers in transition as they caused City problems at the other end of the pitch.<\/p>\n
With just 11 minutes to go, Azaz sent the Southampton end into raptures with a goal for the ages. The Irishman received the ball with his back to goal, turned, and lashed a sublime curler past James Trafford in the City goal.<\/p>\n
\nTHE GOAL OF FINN AZAZ’S LIFE<\/p>\n
What a beauty from the Irishman to put Southampton 1-0 up against City at Wembley \ud83d\udd25pic.twitter.com\/8UVuyqda3q<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) April 25, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
TNT commentator Darren Fletcher described it as the “goal of his life,” and Azaz passionately celebrated with the fans behind the goal.<\/p>\n
However, it took just five minutes for City to level things up through a deflected Jeremy Doku strike. Moments later, another stunner from Nico Gonzalez completed the turnaround and broke Southampton hearts.<\/p>\n
\nNico Gonzalez scores a stunning goal, and it could be a huge moment at Wembley \u26a1<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udcfa Watch live on TNT Sports and HBO Max pic.twitter.com\/llUcAmH8tu<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 25, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
It was a gutting blow, with Southampton within just eight minutes of an FA Cup final spot.<\/p>\n
However, Azaz’s goal will live long in the memory, and the Irishman earned some fully-deserved praise from his former manager Steven Gerrard on punditry duty.<\/p>\n
READ HERE: <\/strong>Shay Given Had Intriguing Theory On Potential Caoimh\u00edn Kelleher Liverpool Return<\/a><\/p>\n
READ HERE: <\/strong>Roy Keane Quick To Dismiss Myth Of Declan Rice After Arsenal Loss To Manchester City<\/a><\/p>\n
Finn Azaz’s Wembley wondergoal<\/strong><\/p>\n
The TNT Sports panel were unanimous in their praise of Finn Azaz after the Ireland international’s wondergoal at Wembley on Saturday evening.<\/p>\n
Ange Postecoglou described the strike as “unbelievable,” highlighting the fact that the shot on goal was effectively blind; while Joe Hart called it a “dream take.”<\/p>\n
However, the most personal praise came from Steven Gerrard, who has worked with Azaz in the past.<\/p>\n
Azaz was on the books as a squad player during Gerrard’s doomed year in charge of Villa, and the Liverpool legend spoke in glowing terms about the Ireland international’s character.<\/p>\n
\nThe goal doesn’t move, Ange makes a good point. He doesn’t even really have to set sight on the target, the goal doesn’t move.<\/p>\n
It’s more the turn and putting the ball exactly where you want it so you can start that curler out away from the goalkeeper. It’s an absolutely exquisite finish.<\/p>\n
That’s what he’s all about, Finn. I had him at Villa for a short space of time, he was knocking on the door to get more game time.<\/p>\n
That’s his big strength, arriving in big areas and letting them fly, because he’s a hell of a ball striker.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Lovely words from Steven Gerrard, and well deserved.<\/p>\n
After the heartbreak of Prague, yet another near miss will be tough to take for Finn Azaz.<\/p>\n
However, the dream of Premier League football is still very much alive for him and his Southampton teammates, who are guaranteed a playoff place and could yet secure an unlikely automatic promotion.<\/p>\n
SEE ALSO: <\/strong>Damien Delaney Spoke Sense On Why Controversial Munoz Goal v Liverpool Stood<\/a><\/p>\n
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