What Are the Best FA Cup Finals Ever Played?
By
Amelia Walker
Senior Content Writer Updated: 10 November 2023
Amelia Walker Senior Content Writer
Amelia Walker is a Senior Content Writer at Betting.US. She has a law degree and deep knowledge of the gambling laws in the United States. Her mission is to keep players informed about responsible gambling, while her passion for sports helps her create useful guides. Amelia has over a decade of experience in betting, which has positioned her as a trusted voice among our readers.
FA Cup Finals
- Best FA Cup Final
- Best FA Cup Final Ever
- 1953: Blackpool vs Bolton
- 1988: Liverpool vs Wimbledon
- 1979: Arsenal vs Man United
- 1987: Coventry vs Tottenham
- 2014: Arsenal vs Hull
- Frequently Asked Questions
Today’s blog is all about the best FA Cup Finals, all of which left us speechless, jumping out of our seats, or even getting emotional! We’re diving deep into the games that have become legendary, not just for the quality of soccer but for the drama, the upsets, and the moments that are etched into history. Whether you’re the ultimate soccer fan or just love a good story, this blog’s got something for you.
Best FA Cup Final
The FA Cup is the oldest soccer competition in the world, and every professional team in England can compete in it. It’s played in the form of a knockout tournament, and teams face up against one another in one-off matches. The winner of the FA Cup is awarded the famous FA Cup trophy. In addition to this, they also qualify for the UEFA Europa League.
When it comes to the FA Cup, every final has its own unique story to tell. But some finals have that extra bit of magic that sets them apart. Whether it’s a last-minute goal, an unexpected hero, or a dramatic comeback, these are the games that have gone down in history as the best of the best.
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Best FA Cup Final Ever
The best FA Cup Final ever is a title that is often debated. However, one thing is for certain: the best finals are those that deliver on all fronts—drama, skill, and unforgettable moments. The 1979 final between Arsenal and Manchester United is a perfect example of this.
Arsenal took a 2-0 lead, but Manchester United came back to tie the game in the last four minutes. Just when it seemed like the game was going to extra time, Arsenal scored the winning goal. It was an emotional roller coaster, and that is what makes a final worthy of being classed as one of the best ever. Here’s a quick table with some interesting takeaways from the finals we’ll cover today.
| Year | Interesting Fact |
|---|---|
| 1953 | Stanley Matthews, at 38, finally won an FA Cup medal |
| 1988 | Dave Beasant became the first goalkeeper to save a penalty in an FA Cup Final |
| 1979 | The match saw three goals in the last five minutes |
| 1987 | Coventry won their first major trophy |
| 2014 | Arsenal ended a nine-year trophy drought |
1953: Blackpool vs Bolton
The 1953 FA Cup Final between Blackpool and Bolton, often referred to as the ‘Matthews Final,’ is one of those games that’s made its way into soccer history. This FA Cup Final was played on May 14, 1953, at Wembley Stadium in London. Blackpool beat Bolton Wanderers 4-3 after extra time, but it was anything but a straightforward match.
It was Blackpool’s first FA Cup win, and it came in a dramatic match that saw Blackpool come from behind twice to win. Stanley Matthews, who was 38 at the time, was the star of the show for Blackpool.
Bolton had taken a 3-1 lead early in the second half, and it looked like they had the game in the bag. But then Matthews took over. His darting runs down the right side of the pitch caused chaos in Bolton’s defense. Stan Mortensen pulled one back for Blackpool and then leveled the score with a thunderous last-minute free kick.
The climax came in injury time when Matthews set up Bill Perry for the winning goal. It was a final that had everything: drama, comebacks, and individual brilliance. The match is considered one of the greatest FA Cup Finals ever played.
1988: Liverpool vs Wimbledon
The 1988 FA Cup Final between Liverpool and Wimbledon is the stuff of legends, often cited as one of the greatest upsets in football history. Liverpool were the heavy favorites, expected to easily win and seal the double. But Wimbledon had other ideas.
Wimbledon, then a Second Division team, were the underdogs going into the match. But they played with passion and determination, and they took the lead in the first half when Lawrie Sanchez headed home a Dennis Wise free kick.
Liverpool had a golden opportunity to equalize in the second half, but Wimbledon’s goalkeeper, Dave Beasant, became the first keeper to save a penalty in an FA Cup Final at Wembley.
As the final whistle blew and Wimbledon completed one of the best FA Cup runs ever, BBC commentator John Motson famously roared, “The Crazy Gang have beaten the Culture Club.” It was a David vs Goliath story that captured the imagination of soccer fans everywhere, proving that in the FA Cup, anything is possible.
1979: Arsenal vs Man United
The 1979 FA Cup Final between Arsenal and Manchester United is a match that has produced some of the best FA Cup moments in history – and it’s famed for its last-minute drama, too. The game started off in Arsenal’s favor, with the Gunners taking a 2-0 lead thanks to goals set up by Liam Brady. Brian Talbot and Frank Stapleton were the scorers, and it looked like Arsenal had the game in the bag.
However, as we all know, soccer is a game of two halves, and there was plenty more action to come! Manchester United came out fighting in the second half and pulled one back through Gordon McQueen. Then, with just minutes remaining, United equalized through Sammy McIlroy.
But Liam Brady wasn’t done, and he managed to find a break, before picking out Graham Rix, who delivered a cross that found Alan Sunderland sliding in at the back post. Arsenal had done it; they had snatched victory from the jaws of a draw, winning 3-2 in one of the most dramatic FA Cup Finals ever.
The match was a rollercoaster of emotions, with incredible twists and turns to rival any Hollywood movie. It was a game that had everything: early goals, a comeback, last-minute drama, and soccer stars rising to the occasion.
1987: Coventry vs Tottenham
The 1987 FA Cup Final was another one of the best FA Cup Final games ever and it was played between Coventry City, a club that had never won a major trophy, and Tottenham Hotspur, a team who already had a lot of success behind them. The match started as expected, with Clive Allen heading Spurs in front just two minutes into the game. But Coventry didn’t give up – and Dave Bennett soon equalized, setting the stage for a thrilling match.
Tottenham regained the lead when Gary Mabbutt scored, and it seemed like Spurs were, once again, on track to victory. However, Coventry again had other plans – and just after an hour of gameplay had passed, Bennett delivered a cross that found Keith Houchen, who scored with a diving header that remains one of the most iconic FA Cup Final goals.
The match went into extra-time, and it was Mabbutt again who was in the spotlight, but for the wrong reasons. A Lloyd McGrath cross deflected off him into his own net, handing Coventry a historic 3-2 win. It was a final that proved that in the FA Cup, anything is possible.
2014: Arsenal vs Hull
The 2014 FA Cup Final between Arsenal and Hull City was a match that shocked even the best soccer predictors! Hill City shocked everyone by going 2-0 up within the first eight minutes. Arsenal looked stunned, with it looking as though their nine-year trophy drought was going to continue.
But thanks to a fantastic 30-yard free kick goal from Santi Cazorla, they were back in it – and Laurent Koscielny then equalized, setting the stage for extra-time.
In the 109th minute, Aaron Ramsey completed the comeback, scoring with a drilled shot from the edge of the penalty box. Arsenal had done it; they had come from 2-0 down to win 3-2, ending their long wait for a trophy. When it comes to the best FA Cup finals, the 2014 one is easily up there at the top.
