Manchester City take their place in European history – It has been a long time coming, but Manchester City have finally got their hands on the Champions League trophy.
Pep Guardiola’s side beat Inter Milan 1-0 at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium in a performance that lacked quality.
However, it was sheer determination that got City over the line as they put their heartbreak against Chelsea in 2021 behind them.
A superb goal from Rodri in the 68th minute was enough to get the job done and ensure they were crowned Champions of Europe, as well as treble winners.
Following their celebrations at the full-time whistle, City collected their winners’ medals and prepared to lift the trophy.
Captain Ilkay Gundogan was tasked with the job of lifting one of football’s most iconic pieces of silverware.
He held it aloft his head as the sparks flew and his teammates jumped for joy, an image that will live long on in the club’s history.
City had to huff and puff, with Inter the more confident looking side in the first half.
Matters were made worse for Guardiola’s side when Kevin De Bruyne came off injured yet again in the final.
The Italian side, who have won the competition three times before, fought well and could very well have led through Lautaro Martinez.
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However he couldn’t make the most of a defensive error, and City soon punished them for not taking the chance.
A few minutes later, the ball fell into the path of the onrushing Rodri inside the box and he proceeded to fire in, sparking wild celebrations at the sky blue end of the stadium.
As the clock ticked down towards full-time City knew they were close to glory, and a stunning save from Ederson at the death helped ensure the title was theirs.
“It was the thing we were missing,” John Stones said. “I feel so pleased. It’s a pleasure to be a part of this team and create this history.”
City are now the 23rd team to have ever won the Champions League, and the sixth from England after Manchester United, Liverpool, Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa and Chelsea.
Such a win has also seen them win a hugely impressive treble, one that only United had been able to do before Saturday night.
They have now come to the end of what has been a hugely impressive season, one that will have them considered as one of the greatest teams of all time.
All that was left for them was to win the Champions League, and City have now finally found the missing piece of their dominant and impressive puzzle.
Jack Grealish couldn’t believe it as he broke down in tears when the magnitude of what he has achieved sunk in.
Kyle Walker was equally emotional. “I’m over the moon,” he said. “I’m rarely speechless. My dream has come true, to achieve this with this club. To achieve a Treble is unbelievable.”
It’s going to be a good night.
