LONDON: Manchester City is one win away from completing a historic treble after beating Manchester United 2-1 courtesy of Ilkay Gundogan’s record-breaking double in the FA Cup Final on Saturday (3 Jun).
The 32-year-old, who is expected to leave City in the Summer after seven trophy-laden seasons, became the oldest FA Cup finalist since Nat Lofthouse scored two goals for Bolton Wanderers against United in 1958.
United, looking to win both domestic cup competitions in the same year for the first time ever and ruin City's hopes of replicating their own historic treble in 1999, had equalized with a Bruno Fernandes spot-kick in the 33rd minute.
The 13th time that the English League and FA Cup have been achieved. The city wants more. They travel to Istanbul and face Inter Milan to try and win the European title for the first and equal United's 1998-1999 Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League sweeps under Alex Ferguson.
Fans braved rail strikes and descended in masse to the capital. It was the first time that the clubs had competed for silverware in 190 meetings. Wembley looked red and blue.
Gundogan did not hesitate when Stefan Ortega punted the ball toward Erling Haaland. The ball bounced in Gundogan's direction and he sent a dipping volley with his right foot that arced over David de Gea.
Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne both missed good chances for City in the first five minutes, during which United barely touched it.
United right-back Aaron Wan Bissaka headed a ball diagonally across the area in a harmless manner. As play continued, referee Paul Tierney received instructions to check a pitch-side VAR monitor for any possible handballs by Grealish.
Tierney pointed at the spot, and Fernandes calmly shuffled to send Ortega in the wrong direction with his penalty. This sparked celebrations on the east end of United's stadium where the fans were packed.
De Bruyne chipped the ball to him and his left-foot volley bounced through a crowded area, slipping inside De Gea’s right-hand post. It was not as well-struck as his previous effort, but it did manage to sneak in.
Gundogan's hat trick was denied by an offside flag. As the minutes ticked away, City looked edgy. United substitute Alejandro Garnacho curled a shot agonizingly far and a crazy goalmouth scramble ended in stoppage time with the ball bouncing off City's crossbar.
