The replay of the 1998–99 FA Cup semi-final between Arsenal and Manchester United, sometimes titled The Epic, was a football match that took place at Villa Park in Birmingham, England, on 14 April 1999.[1]
The game is often described as one of Manchester United's greatest ever, and Giggs' winning goal is frequently cited as one of the greatest goals ever scored in English football.[2] Rob Smyth of The Guardian described it as "the greatest game in the modern era of English football. […] this match […] had such gravitas, subtlety, intensity and excellence that it should have been shown on HBO.)"[3]
Manchester United and Arsenal were rivals at the top of English football; Arsenal won the 1997–98 Premier League with United finishing second, and then Arsenal beat United 3–0 in the 1998 FA Charity Shield. The two teams competed for the 1998–99 Premier League and also met in the semi-final of the 1998–99 FA Cup, which was a 0–0 draw after extra time, necessitating a replay.[4]
David Beckham scored an early goal for Manchester United, with Dennis Bergkamp equalising in the second half. Roy Keane, United's captain, received a second yellow card and was sent off for a bad tackle on Marc Overmars. After Phil Neville fouled Ray Parlour in the box, Arsenal were awarded a penalty. Bergkamp's shot was saved by Peter Schmeichel, taking the game to extra time,[6][7] where Patrick Vieira gave the ball away to Ryan Giggs who scored a sensational solo goal, dribbling past five Arsenal players to give United a 2–1 lead and send them through to the 1999 FA Cup final.[8]
Martin Tyler: A rather weary one from Vieira. Giggs gets past Vieira, past Dixon who comes back at him... it's a wonderful run from Giggs! Sensational goal from Ryan Giggs in the second period of extra time. He's cut Arsenal to ribbons and the team with 10 men go back in front 2–1!
Commentary of Giggs’ winning goal by Martin Tyler[10]
The match was the last ever FA Cup semi-final to go to a replay. In the FA Cup final, Manchester United beat Newcastle United 2–0 to win the Cup, securing the Double, as they had won the Premier League a week earlier.[11] Four days later, they completed the Treble by beating Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League final.
The game is remembered as one of the greatest in English football; it was ranked #38 in The Times' 50 Greatest Football Matches (2019).[12]
Giggs' winning goal is also considered among the greatest ever scored, and his celebration, removing his shirt to reveal copious chest hair, is considered an iconic image by football fans.[13][14] Ian Wright described it as "arguably one of the best goals in FA Cup history."[15] It has been compared to Diego Maradona's solo goal in the 1986 World Cup quarter-final.[16]
Both Ray Parlour and Arsène Wenger admitted to being "haunted" by the defeat and Giggs' goal.[17][18]
A statistical analysis of the game in The Independent in 2019 gave Arsenal 2.51 expected goals (xG) to United's 1.62; Dennis Bergkamp's penalty miss was considered a key moment that won the game for United.[19]