Manchester City shine over crosstown rivals in FA Cup final
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LONDON - Historic Wembley Stadium was packed from top to bottom Saturday, as crosstown rivals Manchester City and Manchester United met in the 142nd FA Cup final. History was made, as this was the first meeting between the two teams in the final. The stakes were high, as Manchester City looked to continue their run for the historic treble (League winner, Cup winner, and Champions league winner). For Manchester United, they looked to play spoiler for City and end their season with a second trophy won this season.
The game was intense from the start, with İlkay Gündoğan scoring the fastest goal in FA Cup final history, giving Manchester City the lead just 13 seconds into the match. The crowd roared, as United frantically tried to settle into this match.
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City continued to capitalize on the slow start from United, creating great opportunities for both Rodri and Haaland in the 4th and 17th minute. That all changed when referee Paul Tierney was called to the VAR system to check a potential handball in the penalty box against City. After reviewing the potential infraction, Tierney ruled it to be a handball in the box and a penalty kick for United. United’s captain Bruno Fernandes stepped up to take the penalty and scored to level the score 1-1 after 33 minutes of play.
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Both teams walked into their respective changing rooms as the teams stayed level heading into halftime. While the score was level at the half, the statistics were not, with City having 61% of the possession and outshooting United 6-5. City looked to continue to suffocate United with their press in the second half, and United looked to break into the game and create more opportunities to score.
The second half started with neither team making any substitutions. City continued to pose a threat, and after earning a dangerous free kick in United territory, in the 51st minute İlkay Gündoğan connected on a volley from outside of the box that goalkeeper David De Gea was unable to keep out of his own net. City once again rejoiced as they led 2-1 early into the second half.
United looked to make changes as they substituted Christian Eriksen for 18-year-old Alejandro Garnacho in hopes to add more attacking threat to the game. Garnacho did just that, creating multiple chances for United, including a curling shot that just went wide of the goal in the 73rd minute. United were finally starting to look dangerous as the game went into the final 15 minutes of play.
Following substitutions from each team, and with the game coming to its end, United tried their best to score an equalizer to keep their FA Cup hopes alive, leading to two near-goals in the 92nd minute. Defender Raphael Varane had his close-range shot blocked off the crossbar by City keeper Stefan Ortega, and the following chance was just barely headed over the crossbar by substitute Scott McTominay.
After 97 minutes had been played, Tierney blew his whistle for full time. City were champions of the FA Cup yet again. With United’s season officially over, City now look towards the Champions League final and potentially becoming the second English team ever to win the treble in a season.