History of the FA Cup in the FA's lawbook. The 1981 final contained what many consider to be the greatest ever final goal, scored by Tottenham's Ricky Villa who beat several players in a mazy run before slotting the ball home. In 1999, Ryan Giggs of Manchester United scored in extra time to defeat Arsenal 2–1 in FA Cup semi-final replay. The goal was voted the greatest in FA Cup history in 2003. History of the FA Cup The history of the FA Cup in association football dates back to 1871–72. Aside from suspensions during the First and Second World Wars, the competition has been
FA Cup semi-finals needed to settle an FA Cup Semi-final, although there were several occasions where three games were played. Prior to the 1992 semi-finals, the only semi-final played under different rules to this was the rearranged 1989 semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest, for which it had been declared in advance that the game would be decided by extra-time and penalties if necessary due to the Hillsborough Stadium disaster. Queen's Park chose not to contest the 1871–72 replay match with Wanderers. There were no semi-finals played in the 1872–73 competition. Under the rules at the time, holders Wanderers received a bye to