Man City vs Inter Milan LIVE: Champions League final result and reaction after City seal historic treble
Man City 1-0 Inter Milan: Rodri’s second-half strike saw Pep Guardiola’s City win a nervy game and complete a historic treble
Rodri fired the winning goal as Manchester City finally claimed Champions League glory and completed the treble with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Inter Milan.
The midfielder rifled home in the 68th minute as the Premier League winners City wore down the Italians in a draining final at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul.
The contest was a tight one, with City suffering a serious blow in pursuit of the prize that has eluded them for so long when they lost Kevin De Bruyne to injury in the first half. The prolific Erling Haaland was also kept quiet by a stubborn Inter side but Rodri eventually made the breakthrough with a firm strike after a Bernardo Silva pass was deflected into his path.
It capped a momentous season for City having also won the FA Cup as well as a fifth Premier League title in six years. Their success means they also join rivals Manchester United as the only side to have won all three of those trophies in the same season. It meant mission accomplished for owner Sheikh Mansour, who was present in Istanbul at only his second match since purchasing the club in 2008 and subsequently propelling them to the game’s top table. Manager Pep Guardiola could also celebrate Champions League success again 12 years after the second of his two wins as Barcelona boss.
Relive the Champions League final below:
Man City 0-0 Inter
Our Chief Football Writer, Miguel Delaney, is out in Istanbul for this final and has assessed the first half.
Miguel says: “A first half that was probably as good for Inter as they could have possibly hoped. It goes without saying they have made a game of this, when so many predicted a procession.
“They have also played their part in ensuring this isn't the Manchester City that was unstoppable for the last three months, although it does feel like some of that comes from within Pep Guardiola's side too. They haven't necessarily been that bad but they haven't been themselves and so many touches and passes have been off, either through casualness or maybe a slight nervousness.
“Kevin De Bruyne seemed to be the only player immune to this, playing well, only for such a great player to suffer the sad misfortune of again having to go off injured in a Champions League final. If this game does come down to nerve and psychology, as has been the case so far, that can naturally have more influence - before you even get to De Bruyne's brilliance.
“Maybe the most telling moment was Guardiola agitatedly telling his players to 'relax'. He does need to say something different at half-time, which was a requirement no one would have expected before the game.”
Cesc Fabregas assesses the first half
Cesc Fabregas has given his thoughts on the first half for BT Sport and he’s been impressed (but unsurprised) by the underdogs.
Fabregas said: “It's a difficult one, I watched Inter a lot, I know they're not easy to break down. This is a team that knows how to play with and without the ball. When they do, they know how to exploit the spaces.”
Man City 0-0 Inter
Horrible deja vu for Kevin de Bruyne in that first half. Really unfortunate as he has to go off injured again
HALF-TIME! Man City 0-0 Inter
Akanji decides to try his luck from 25 yards. Catches it well enough but it’s always rising and flies comfortably over.
And that’s the half-time whistle. Man City have had 61 per cent possession but Inter have been very disciplined in the press and have restricted their genuine chances. The big news is Kevin de Bruyne going off injured - just as he did in the 2021 Champions League final against Chelsea.
45’ - Man City 0-0 Inter
Onana slips as he clears the ball and is a bit slow to get up but seems to be fine. Two minutes of added time at the end of this first half.
43’ - Man City 0-0 Inter
Grealish wins a free-kick in a dangerous position on the left as Dumfries drags him to the ground. Clear foul.
Dias and Akanji come forward, Foden whips the cross in but it’s too long and Rodri’s attempeted ball back in cannons off Martinez, rebounds on to him and rolls out for a goal-kick.
42’ - Man City 0-0 Inter
Here was the moment Kevin de Bruyne was forced off injured. Gutting for the Belgian
41’ - Man City 0-0 Inter
Acerbi makes an absolute meal of a minor coming together with Phil Foden. The Englishman unimpressed.
Into the final knockings of this first half and clear-cut chances have been few and far between.
38’ - Man City 0-0 Inter
Inter have a first sustained spell of possession in the City half - they strong a few passes together but City maintain their defensive discipline to avoid any issues.
Then back at the other end, a quick city press causes Onana to shank the ball out of play
35’ - Man City 0-0 Inter - De Bruyne taken off injured
Oh no. De Bruyne signals to the bench and he’s going to have to come off. He looks distraught - a second Champions League final where he’s had to go off early.
Phil Foden comes on. Not a bad replacement at all but you have to feel for De Bruyne. A horrible situation
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