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Man City Wins Carabao Cup with Dramatic Rugby-Style Kickoff
Nico O'Reilly's two goals lead Manchester City to victory over Arsenal in the final.
Mar. 24, 2026 at 5:48am
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Manchester City won the Carabao Cup on Sunday, defeating Arsenal 2-0 thanks to a pair of goals from Nico O'Reilly. The match featured a dramatic rugby-style kickoff that set the tone for the high-intensity final.
Why it matters
The Carabao Cup is one of the most prestigious domestic cup competitions in English football, and this victory extends Manchester City's dominance in the tournament, having now won it 5 times in the last 7 seasons.
The details
In a surprising move, Manchester City opted for a rugby-style kickoff to start the match, with the ball being drop-kicked down the field instead of the traditional football kickoff. This unorthodox tactic caught Arsenal off guard and set the tone for City's aggressive and high-pressing style of play throughout the match. Nico O'Reilly then scored two goals in the second half to secure the victory for the defending champions.
- The Carabao Cup final was played on Sunday, March 23, 2026.
- Manchester City opted for the rugby-style kickoff at the start of the match.
The players
Nico O'Reilly
A forward for Manchester City who scored two goals in the Carabao Cup final.
Manchester City
The defending champions of the Carabao Cup, a prestigious domestic cup competition in English football.
Arsenal
The runner-up in the Carabaro Cup final, a top Premier League club.
What they’re saying
“That rugby-style kickoff really caught us off guard and set the tone for their aggressive play. We'll need to learn from this experience for next season.”
— Mikel Arteta, Arsenal Manager
What’s next
Manchester City will look to defend their Carabao Cup title next season, while Arsenal will aim to bounce back and challenge for the trophy again.
The takeaway
Manchester City's innovative tactics and clinical finishing proved too much for Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final, showcasing the club's continued dominance in domestic cup competitions.
