Manchester City remains firmly on track for an extraordinary Treble triumph following an impressive performance in the FA Cup final against Manchester United at Wembley. Ilkay Gundogan emerged as the hero of the day, scoring twice to secure victory for City.
Having already clinched the Premier League title, Manchester City now looks forward to the highly anticipated Champions League final against Inter Milan in Istanbul next Saturday. This remarkable opportunity allows them to aim for a historic achievement reminiscent of Manchester United’s memorable feat in 1999.
Once again, City’s captain, Ilkay Gundogan, proved himself as the decisive player in the big games. He etched his name in the annals of FA Cup final history by scoring the quickest goal ever recorded in this prestigious competition. With a stunning volley just 12 seconds into the match, Gundogan surpassed the previous record set by Louis Saha, who scored for Everton against Chelsea after 25 seconds in 2009.
Although Manchester United managed to equalize after 33 minutes through a penalty converted by Bruno Fernandes, awarded after the video assistant referee determined that Jack Grealish had handled the ball, it was Gundogan who once again stepped up. Six minutes into the second half, he volleyed Kevin de Bruyne’s free-kick past United goalkeeper David de Gea, securing City’s seventh FA Cup victory.
Manchester City now stands on the brink of an unprecedented achievement in their illustrious history. With the Premier League and FA Cup already secured, their focus shifts to the grand finale against Inter Milan in the Champions League. A triumph in this coveted tournament would make them only the second English club to complete the fabled Treble, joining the ranks of Manchester United who accomplished this feat 24 years ago. Despite Manchester United’s valiant efforts to halt City’s bid, the formidable champions proved too powerful, and in the form of Gundogan, they possessed a player who thrives under the immense pressure of significant occasions.
