2013 FA Cup Final facts for kids

The 2013 FA Cup Final was a big football game. It was the 132nd final of the FA Cup. This is the world's oldest football cup competition. The exciting match happened on May 11, 2013. It took place at the famous Wembley Stadium in London.

Two top teams from the English Premier League played. They were Manchester City and Wigan Athletic. Many people thought Manchester City would win easily. But Wigan Athletic surprised everyone! They beat Manchester City 1–0. The winning goal came in the final moments of the game. It was scored by Ben Watson.

About the FA Cup

The FA Cup is a very old football competition. It started way back in 1871. Teams from all over England can enter. It's known for exciting upsets. This is when smaller teams beat bigger, more famous ones. Winning the FA Cup is a huge achievement. It's a dream for many football players.

The Teams: Manchester City vs. Wigan Athletic

Manchester City was a very strong team in 2013. They had many famous players. They were expected to win the FA Cup. Wigan Athletic was a smaller team. They were not as well-known as City. But they had a lot of heart and played together well.

Manchester City's Journey

Manchester City had a good season. They played well to reach the final. They beat strong teams along the way. Their fans were very excited. They hoped to see their team lift the trophy.

Wigan Athletic's Surprise Run

Wigan Athletic had a tough season in the league. But they were amazing in the FA Cup. They kept winning against bigger teams. Each win was a huge surprise. Reaching the final was a big deal for them. It was their first time ever in an FA Cup Final.

The Match Day: May 11, 2013

The final was played at Wembley Stadium. This stadium is famous for big football matches. Over 86,000 fans came to watch. The atmosphere was electric. Everyone was ready for a great game.

How the Game Unfolded

The game was very exciting. Manchester City tried hard to score. Wigan Athletic defended well. They also looked for chances to attack. The score stayed 0-0 for most of the match. Both teams fought hard.

The Winning Goal

As the game neared its end, it looked like it might go to extra time. But then, in the final minutes, Wigan got a corner kick. Ben Watson jumped high and headed the ball into the net! It was an amazing moment. Wigan Athletic scored and took the lead 1-0.

After the Goal

Manchester City tried to score back. But there wasn't much time left. The referee blew the whistle. Wigan Athletic had won the FA Cup! It was a huge upset. Their fans went wild with joy.

Wigan Athletic Makes History

Winning the FA Cup was a dream come true for Wigan. It was their first major trophy. It showed that even smaller teams can achieve great things. The players and fans celebrated a lot. It was a day they would never forget.

Images for kids

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  Manchester City's manager Roberto Mancini's position was a matter of speculation before the final.

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  Ben Watson (pictured in June 2013) scored the only goal of the final.

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  Members of the Wigan Athletic board holding the FA Cup trophy following their team's victory