ENGLAND- Ilkay Gundogan’s two goals steered Man City to a 2-1 victory over Manchester United in the FA Cup final on Saturday, June 3, 2023, positioning the team one victory away from a historic treble.
With this triumph at Wembley, Pep Guardiola’s team has completed a domestic double. They now look to becoming the second team after Manchester United in 1998/99 to secure the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League in the same season.
They face Inter Milan on June 10, with hopes of winning the Champions League for the first time.
Gundogan, in a remarkable start to the game, scored the fastest goal in FA Cup final history within just 12 seconds.
However, United managed to level the game at the 33rd minute, with Bruno Fernandes scoring a penalty after Jack Grealish was deemed to have committed a handball.
But it was Gundogan, potentially in his last game for City on English soil given his expiring contract at the end of the season, who volleyed home the winner six minutes into the second half.
“Everyone knows the FA Cup is the most beautiful domestic club competition in the world, so to win this trophy again and complete the double is amazing for us,” said Gundogan.
He added, “We have a chance to do something special and win the treble and we do not want to let this opportunity pass us by.”
This FA Cup final was the first-ever major final between the Manchester rivals.
The game started explosively when Victor Lindelof’s headed clearance set up the perfect volley opportunity for Gundogan, resulting in a stunning strike within the first 12 seconds.
