Manchester City pip Inter Milan to complete remarkable treble

Manchester City defeated Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League final by a lone goal to claim the elusive first UEFA Champions League title in the history of the club in Istanbul.

After a stunning campaign that saw them claim the Premier League crown and FA Cup, Pep Guardiola’s side sought to become just the second English team ever to complete a treble when they took on Inter Milan.

The encounter started off in cagey fashion as both sides played with caution in the opening minutes, wary of giving away any opportunities.

Manchester City suffered a huge blow in the first half when influential playmaker Kevin De Bruyne was substituted off with an apparent injury, reminiscent of what happened in the 2021 final against Chelsea. Neither side managed to create clear-cut openings in the first period as they cancelled each other out.

The game came into life in the second half when Argentine striker Lautaro Martinez took advantage of poor communication between Manuel Akanji and Ederson to pounce on a backpass and go one-on-one with the goalkeeper. The 25-year-old failed to beat the goalkeeper from a tight angle as Ederson made the save.

Manchester City took the lead in the 68th minute through midfield maestro Rodri. Benched for the 2021 final, the Spaniard was on hand to spank a loose ball from just inside the box past a stationary Andre Onana with a first-time hit into the bottom corner.

The Citizens turned up the heat after scoring and Phil Foden came close to adding his name to the scoresheet after a sensational solo run took him into the Inter box. The Englishman saw his shot smothered by Onana, who was impressive for the Nerazzurri.

Inter sought an equaliser and came close to getting it when a looped header from Federico Dimarco came back off the crossbar with Ederson beaten, and the Italian saw a second goal-bound header come off Romelu Lukaku.

The Italians came close to an equaliser in the dying moments when Robin Gosens headed a cross back across the box, only for Lukaku to hit the goalkeeper from point-blank range with a headed effort.

Manchester City held on to claim a hard-fought win in Istanbul and finally win the elusive UEFA Champions League title. Pep Guardiola became the first manager to ever win a treble with two different clubs, having previously achieved it in 2008-09, his first season as manager with Barcelona.