Manchester City overcame a resolute Inter Milan side to win 1-0 and secure their long-awaited UEFA Champions League (UCL) triumph, becoming the 23rd club to win Europe’s primary competition and the first maiden victors since Chelsea in 2012.
There was an early warning of what could happen if they didn’t continue in the same vein when Federico Dimarco backed off Bernardo Silva, who jinked his way into the box and curled an effort agonisingly wide.
There was also encouragement for the Italian giants as Ederson had a few shaky moments, although Nicolò Barella’s effort trickled wide after the Brazilian’s pass evaded John Stones.
Instead, the Italians found themselves behind in the 68th minute when Akanji slipped through Silva, whose cutback deflected off Francesco Acerbi and stood up invitingly for Rodri to calmly stroke in his second-ever UCL goal after getting his first against Bayern Munich.
With the game opening up more as Inter searched for the equaliser, Phil Foden turned gracefully to work space for himself but saw his final effort comfortably saved.
At the other end, Ederson came up with a sensational save to stop Lukaku’s header before Rúben Dias instinctively nodded the ball wide.
Another brilliant Ederson save from Robin Gosens’ header with the final touch saw out a historic treble, as City became the sixth English club to win Europe’s premier competition.
In doing so, they inflicted just the second defeat in Inter’s last 13 fixtures and denied them a fourth UCL win.
