Manchester City won the Champions League title for the first time in history by beating Inter Milan 1-0 at the Ataturk Olimpiyat Stadium in Istanbul on Saturday.
Rodri scored in the 68th minute to put the Premier League and FA Cup champions on their way to completing a treble of trophies this season.
Although it is the first time that City have won the main club competition in European football, it is the third time that Pep Guardiola has lifted the trophy as manager. And although he did not take part in the match, Julián Álvarez completed a brilliant football year, with that third of City titles and the World Cup that he won with Argentina in December.
Guardiola had tears in his eyes during the celebration on the pitch with his players. The triumph put an end to a long wait on the part of the Spanish coach, who had not been a European champion since 2011, the last time he was crowned with Barcelona.
He obtained his 30th relevant trophy as a coach. And he completed a triplet for the second time, emulating the feat of 2009 with Barça.
City prevailed despite losing midfielder Kevin De Bruyne to injury in the first half.
The win means the club finally achieves its goal of climbing to the top of European football, 15 years after Abu Dhabi’s ruling family made the team one of the richest in the world.
The owner, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, was on hand to watch his team’s coronation. It was only the second time that he has gone to a stadium to see the club in 15 years.
Romelu Lukaku had a chance to level the score in the final minutes, but his header went straight for goalkeeper Ederson from less than four meters away.
City’s goal came when Rodrigo rebounded Bernardo Silva’s shot and took a shot past several defenders in the box.
City breathed a sigh of relief and the Spaniard ran to celebrate with the City fans, kneeling before them.
Inter came close to leveling a few minutes later, but Federico Dimarco’s shot from point blank hit the crossbar. He seemed to catch the rebound, but his shot caught Lukaku in the back.
For days City were perceived as heavy favourites. But the final was resolved by the slightest difference. And if Lukaku had been more accurate in those definitive moments, Inter could have taken the match at least to extra time.
When the final whistle blew, it was City who celebrated. Europe was conquered, after a mission that began 15 years ago.