The 2004 FA Cup Final took place on 22 May 2004 and was the fourth to be played at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium. It was contested between Manchester United who had finished 3rd in the Premier League that season and Millwall who had finished 10th in the second tier competition. The 27 league places separating the two teams was evident as Manchester United secured their eleventh FA Cup victory with a headed goal from Cristiano Ronaldo and a brace from Ruud van Nistelrooy, including a penalty.

The match took place for the fourth consecutive year at the Millennium Stadium, due to the ongoing reconstruction of Wembley Stadium, the final’s traditional venue.

United’s win saw them claim the FA Cup for a record eleventh time. In contrast, it was Millwall’s first appearance in an FA Cup final or indeed any of the two major cup finals.

Millwall’s game plan was to get men behind the ball, defending deep and attempt to hit Manchester United on the break, but they were unable to attempt this very often during the game as United dominated most of the proceedings. United’s early chances fell to Paul Scholes, who had long range efforts at goal. One shot fizzed just wide, while another was tipped away by the Lions’ goalkeeper, Andy Marshall. Scholes was presented with an opportunity on the six-yard line when a rabona cross from Cristiano Ronaldo found him unmarked. The midfielder seemed as surprised by the cross as everyone else and completely missed the ball with his attempted hooked shot.

Millwall’s only chance of the first 45 minutes came when Paul Ifill broke down the right hand side of the pitch and arrowed in towards the penalty area, only to have his shot blocked. They looked to have survived the first half with the scoresheet intact until a decisive moment on 44 minutes. Roy Keane played in Gary Neville as he moved into the penalty area, and the right back chipped a cross back across the box. Millwall player-manager Dennis Wise waited for the ball to arrive, but in doing so, he allowed Ronaldo to steal in and plant a firm header past Marshall. 1–0 to United.

The second half began the same way the first had, with Manchester United passing the ball around freely, seemingly enjoying the occasion. They went 2–0 up when Ryan Giggs went on a run into the Millwall box. He was challenged by David Livermore and fell to the ground. Referee Jeff Winter pointed straight to the spot, although subsequent television replays suggested that Livermore got the ball before tripping Giggs. Ruud van Nistelrooy scored from the penalty spot with a high, hard shot into the top corner to the goalkeeper’s right, giving Marshall no chance. United were now in cruise control and Millwall could not find a way back into the match. United’s defence kept Neil Harris and Tim Cahill quiet and eventually went 3–0 up when Giggs went on a run down the left hand side, and crossed for Van Nistelrooy to tap in from three yards out, although subsequent television replays showed it was clearly offside.
Millwall had a chance near the end, when substitute Mark McCammon almost found a way through the Red Devils’ defence, and Scholes had another late effort for United, before Curtis Weston replaced Wise for his record-breaking appearance.

Roy Keane held aloft the trophy, as Manchester United claimed their 11th victory in the tournament, and their first since 1999.

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