Dhe English soccer champions Manchester City have also won the FA Cup and are on the verge of winning the historic treble. Star coach Pep Guardiola’s team beat local rivals Manchester United 2-1 (1-1) in the final on Saturday thanks to the outstanding German national player Ilkay Gündogan.
The FA Cup is “the most beautiful national cup competition in the world,” enthused Gündogan. “Winning the double in England is incredibly difficult and shows the hard work put in by the players and the team throughout the season.”
Gündogan scored two goals at London’s Wembley Stadium in front of around 90,000 spectators, including FA President Prince William and legendary coach Sir Alex Ferguson. The City captain, who has been in good form for months, surprised the United defense after just 12 seconds with a dream goal from 17 meters, the fastest final goal in the history of the traditional cup competition.
After Bruno Fernandes (33rd minute) equalized with a hand penalty, Gündogan (51st), who may be about to leave the Cityzens, took the lead again in the second round. After a free kick by Kevin De Bruyne, Gündogan volleyed and sank the ball in the lower left corner. The 32-year-old even scored a third time, but the goal didn’t count due to being offside.
Man City dominated the game at Wembley for long stretches. Erling Haaland, top scorer in the Premier League with 36 goals, had few ball contacts. It took Man United half an hour to recover after the early shock. Only a hand ball from Jack Grealish and Fernandes’ penalty brought the Red Devils into play.
In the second half, Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho squandered opportunities for United to equalize while ex-Dortmunders Manuel Akanji and Haaland missed out on the decider for the Cityzens, who featured German keeper Stefan Ortega in goal.
After winning their second title this season, Manchester City will face a third final next Saturday. Pep Guardiola and his team face Inter Milan in the Champions League final in Istanbul.
“We have the chance to create something special,” says Gündogan. “I can promise our fans that we will do everything we can to win in Istanbul.” So far, Manchester United are the only English club to have won the treble of league, FA Cup and premier class in one season.
