FA Cup Final 2023: Manchester City Win Seventh FA Cup After Beating Manchester United 2-1
Manchester City completed the second leg of their treble quest by defeating Manchester United 2-1 in a thrilling FA Cup final at Wembley on Saturday. Ilkay Gundogan scored twice for City, who had already clinched the Premier League title and will face Inter Milan in the Champions League final on June 10.
The first all-Manchester final in the competition’s history lived up to its billing as both teams produced an entertaining spectacle for the near 90,000 crowd and millions of viewers around the world. The game was also marred by some controversial decisions by referee Michael Oliver, who awarded a penalty to United in the first half and sent off City’s Rodri in the second.
United took the lead in the 23rd minute when Bruno Fernandes converted from the spot after Oliver ruled that Ruben Dias had fouled Edinson Cavani in the box. Replays showed that Dias got a touch on the ball before making contact with Cavani, but VAR did not intervene to overturn the decision.
City responded well and equalized in the 36th minute when Gundogan volleyed home from close range after a brilliant cross by Riyad Mahrez. The German midfielder then put City ahead in the 56th minute with another volley, this time from outside the box after a clearance by Harry Maguire fell kindly for him.
Double winners! 🏆🏆
— Manchester City (@ManCity) June 3, 2023
🔵 2-1 🔴 #ManCity 🏆 pic.twitter.com/U4UeGntF4q
City looked comfortable until Oliver showed a second yellow card to Rodri for a foul on Fernandes in the 72nd minute, reducing them to 10 men. United piled on the pressure and had several chances to equalize, but City’s defense held firm and Stefan Ortega made some crucial saves.
City held on to lift their seventh FA Cup trophy and their fourth under Pep Guardiola, who praised his players for their resilience and character. “It was a tough game against a great rival. They made it difficult for us, especially after we went down to 10 men. But we showed our quality and our spirit. I’m so proud of this team and what we have achieved so far,” he said.
United’s Erik ten Hag, who was aiming to win his second trophy in his first season at Old Trafford, congratulated City but also expressed his frustration with some of the referee’s calls. “I think we deserved more from this game. We played well and created many chances, but we were unlucky with some decisions that went against us. I don’t want to complain too much, but I think everyone saw what happened,” he said.
The FA Cup final marked the end of a remarkable domestic season that was delayed and disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the World Cup in Qatar. City dominated the league and won two cups, while United finished third and won one cup. Both teams will now turn their attention to Europe, where they hope to add more silverware to their collection.
Photos Source- https://twitter.com/ManCity
