Manchester City’s captain, Ilkay Gundogan, etched his name in football history by scoring the fastest goal ever recorded in an FA Cup final. Just 12 seconds into the highly anticipated clash against Manchester United at Wembley on Saturday, Gundogan unleashed a powerful strike that left United’s goalkeeper, David de Gea, with no chance to react.
The early goal provided City, who were already in pursuit of a historic treble, with an unimaginable start under the London sunshine. This remarkable feat surpassed the previous record set by Everton’s Louis Saha, who scored 25 seconds into the 2009 final against Chelsea.
The record-breaking moment unfolded when City’s goalkeeper, Stefan Ortega, launched a long ball that was skillfully headed on, eventually reaching Gundogan’s feet at the edge of the box. With precision and sheer force, Gundogan unleashed a shot that rattled the net, setting the tone for a captivating final.
However, in the 33rd minute of the match, Bruno Fernandes displayed his composure and precision as he scored the equalizing goal for Manchester United from the penalty spot. The decision came after a VAR review determined that Jack Grealish had handled the ball inside the area.
Manchester City, having already secured the Premier League title, are now setting their sights on achieving a historic treble akin to Manchester United’s iconic 1999 season. Their aspirations include clinching the FA Cup and triumphing over Inter Milan in the upcoming Champions League final scheduled for June 10th.