The atmosphere was electric at Wembley during the FA Cup final, but one moment left many scratching their heads—Erling Haaland handing over Manchester City’s crucial penalty to teammate Omar Marmoush.
It was an unexpected twist that caught not only fans but also football legends off guard.
Haaland’s Unexpected Decision to Pass the Penalty
Manchester City found themselves trailing early on after Eberechi Eze’s goal for Crystal Palace.
When Bernardo Silva was fouled by Tyrick Mitchell, City earned a penalty after a thorough VAR review.
Naturally, all eyes were on Haaland, the club’s regular penalty taker who held the ball under his arm while the decision was being confirmed.
Yet, in a move that stunned many, Haaland kissed the ball and then handed it over to Marmoush, his strike partner.
Marmoush stepped up to face England goalkeeper Dean Henderson, who had already been involved in some tense moments on the pitch.
The Penalty That Didn’t Change the Game
Henderson guessed correctly and saved Marmoush’s penalty, keeping Crystal Palace in the lead.
This miss proved costly as City struggled to break through Palace’s defence and eventually lost 3-1.
The decision left pundits baffled. Alan Shearer, commentating for BBC Sport, openly questioned why Haaland would give up such a key opportunity. “That is a big decision from Erling Haaland.
Not to want that penalty,” Shearer said, clearly surprised.
Experts Weigh In on Haaland’s Choice
When asked if Haaland might have been instructed by manager Pep Guardiola not to take the penalty, Shearer admitted that it could be a possibility but still found it hard to believe.
“He’s on the pitch, he’s fit enough to start the game, so it’s either he doesn’t want it or Pep doesn’t want him to take it. Either way, it’s a big surprise.”
Shearer also pointed out Haaland’s recent penalty record, having scored only four of his last seven for City, compared to Marmoush, who had a perfect streak before this game but was new to the club since January.
Despite that, Shearer was clear on his opinion about the final: “I wouldn’t be willing to give a penalty up in a cup final, no chance.”
The Half-Time Debate Among Football Legends
During half-time, the expert panel, including Wayne Rooney and Gary Lineker, debated whether Haaland voluntarily gave up the penalty or if it was taken from him.
Rooney believed it was taken off Haaland, while Lineker couldn’t imagine Haaland simply deciding not to take it.
Shearer remained firm, saying, “There’s no way anyone would tell me ‘you’re not taking a penalty today’ if we got one in a final.”
What Does This Mean for Manchester City?
Haaland’s surprising decision, combined with the missed penalty, added drama to an already intense match.
It highlighted how crucial moments like penalty kicks can swing the momentum in a game.
For City, it was a tough lesson on the big stage — and for Haaland, a decision that will be talked about for some time.