The 2025 FA Cup final was a thrilling affair at Wembley Stadium between Crystal Palace and Manchester City.
The two teams played out two very exciting contests in the Premier League this season, and the same was expected in the FA Cup final, with Jamie Carragher predicting a Crystal Palace win, while Paul Merson went with Man City.
This shows how hard it was to call the result between the two teams pre-match, but the majority might have gone with City as Pep Guardiola would have Erling Haaland back for their trip to Wembley after his recent injury.
The Norwegian had the chance to be a hero in the first half, but the striker would shy away from the opportunity, leaving Alan Shearer to question the 24-year-old’s mentality.
Photo by Michael Regan - The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Photo by Michael Regan – The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Alan Shearer criticises Erling Haaland for not taking the penalty
Having gone 1-0 down in the contest courtesy of an Eberechi Eze goal, Man City had the opportunity to equalise from the spot in the first half, but Omar Marmoush would see his shot saved by Dean Henderson – which proved controversial as the Crystal Palace star could have seen a red card before that.
Man City’s usual penalty taker is Haaland, however, the striker did not take it for some reason, and that led to criticism from Shearer, who questioned the 24-year-old’s mentality.
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“Erling Haaland as well, not to want that penalty,” Shearer said on BBC One. “Well, if he is fit enough, he’s on the pitch, he’s starting the game, so it must be mentally that he’s either said he doesn’t want it or Pep doesn’t want him to take it. That there is a big surprise to me.”
The most likely reason for Haaland not taking the penalty is most likely the fact that he is just back from injury; however, as Shearer said, if the Norwegian is on the pitch, why wouldn’t he be okay to take the spot kick?
The decision from the striker may have been a mental thing, given the Norwegian’s record at Wembley Stadium.
Photo by Ed Sykes/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
Photo by Ed Sykes/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
Erling Haaland has yet to score at Wembley
Before Saturday’s FA Cup final, Haaland had featured in four contests for Man City at Wembley Stadium, with the Norwegian superstar yet to score at the home of English football.
This may have factored into the 24-year-old’s decision, but that doesn’t seem like the Norwegian star, who has never lacked for confidence.
Haaland has missed three penalties for Man City this season, while scoring four. As for Marmoush, the Egyptian had never taken a penalty for City before the FA Cup final, but had scored his previous seven for Eintracht Frankfurt before joining the Manchester club in January.
This moment against Crystal Palace will be discussed days after the FA Cup final, and it might see Haaland receive even more criticism from pundits and fans.