Ilkay Gündogan (left) sank the ball into United's goal after just 12 seconds. © ANSA / DANIEL HAMBURY

Man City secures double against United

The English football champions Manchester City also secured the FA Cup on Saturday and thus secured the national double.

June 03, 2023

From: dpa/tu

Coach Pep Guardiola's team won the final against city rivals United 2-1 (1-1) at Wembley Stadium in London and can therefore continue to dream of a historic treble. To do this, City still needs a win in the Champions League final next Saturday in Istanbul (21.00 p.m.) against Inter Milan.

In front of over 85.000 fans, Ilkay Gündogan gave Guardiola's troops the lead with the fastest goal in the history of the FA Cup final after just twelve seconds, which Bruno Fernandes equalized after a flattering hand penalty (33'). With his second goal, Gündogan (51st) secured the “Citizens” their seventh success in the FA Cup, while the Red Devils – who were missing the outgoing ÖFB team player Marcel Sabitzer due to a knee injury – in front of the eyes of club legend Sir Alex Ferguson missed her 13th strike.

Bruno Fernandes equalized 1-1 for the “Red Devils”. © ANSA / ANDY RAIN

City started with cup keeper Stefan Ortega as well as the recently injured Kevin de Bruyne, Jack Grealish, Ruben Dias and Manuel Akanji in the starting line-up and only needed a dozen seconds for the first bang. Immediately after Gündogan's kick-off, the ball went back to the captain via Ortega and Erling Haaland, who scored a dream goal on a volley from just under 18 meters.

As a result, Rodri missed the 4-17 with a header (2th) and Haaland (0th). After a good half hour, United luckily got back into the game. Jack Grealish accidentally received the ball after Aaron Wan-Bissaka's header from close range. Referee Paul Tierney initially allowed play to continue, but the VAR intervened. According to Bild, the referee awarded a penalty. United captain Bruno Fernandes didn't miss the opportunity (33'). A little later, Tierney's whistle and the VAR remained silent as De Bruyne went down in the penalty area after a kick from Fred (39').

Gündogan also scored the 2-1 for the “Citizens”. © ANSA / DANIEL HAMBURY

The champions also got off to a lightning start in the second half. De Bruyne used a well-rehearsed free-kick variation to serve Gündogan, who volleyed in again from the edge of the penalty area. However, the shot didn't seem completely unsustainable for David de Gea. De Bruyne (62nd) and Haaland (71st) then left the preliminary decision.

On the other hand, Alejandro Garnacho was only centimeters away from equalizing (72'), before Raphael Varane's ball hit the crossbar in stoppage time and Scott McTominay missed the goal with his header in the follow-up (92'). United missed out on their second title this season after the League Cup.

The result

Manchester City – Manchester United 2-1
Goals: 1:0 Gündogan (1st), 1:1 Fernandes (33rd), 2:1 Gündogan (51st)