- Manchester City defeated Inter Milan 1-0 in the Champions League final on Saturday night to claim their third title for the 2022–23 season.
- Rodri’s goal in the 68th minute proved to be the deciding factor between the two teams.
Manchester City defeated Inter Milan 1-0 in the Champions League final on Saturday night to claim their third title for the 2022–23 season.
Rodri’s goal in the 68th minute proved to be the deciding factor between the two teams, giving the Citizens three trophies overall after also winning the Premier League and FA Cup.
Within the first three minutes, Erling Braut Haaland had a clear shot at the Inter goal, but the Norwegian international missed the target after shooting from a tight angle. Soon after, the offside flag was raised.
Bernardo Silva had space inside the Inter box in the fifth minute and attempted to curl one into the top corner, but the ball barely missed by the thinnest of margins. Inter had already received a pair of cautions during the opening exchanges.
In the 26th minute, Nicolo Barella was given a shooting opportunity when Man City goalkeeper Ederson fumbled a pass. However, the Inter player missed the goal, and it would have required exceptional skill to score from that tough angle.
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The Premier League winners had their first real opportunity of the game in the 27th minute when Haaland surged into the penalty area and fired for the goal, but Inter goalkeeper Andre Onana was there to make a fine stop and block the ball.
Kevin de Bruyne had to be substituted after getting injured. Photo/Sky Sports
In the 36th minute of the game, De Bruyne, who hobbled off with a hamstring injury, was replaced by Phil Foden. De Bruyne had tried to overcome the issue but eventually was unable, which led to the first change of the match.
The Second Half
In the 59th minute, Inter had an opening to take the lead after Ederson erred by failing to read Akanji’s pass, giving Martinez a shooting opportunity. However, the Argentine was unable to beat the Brazilian goalkeeper.
As the two sides entered the last 30 seconds of regulation time tied, Dias headed a short free-kick past the crossbar at the other end.
But in the 68th minute of the game, Rodri gave Man City the lead with a goal that rattled the back of the net when the ball broke for the Spaniard close to the penalty area.
Rodri celebrates after scoring. Photo/Sky Sports
After Man City took the lead, the Serie A giants had a fantastic opportunity to tie the score, but Dimarco’s looping header hit the crossbar and the Italian’s second attempt went into the back of his fellow teammate Lukaku.
Onana saved a shot from Foden as the England international burst into the area in the 78th minute after Lukaku had challenged Ederson with a low effort in the 73rd minute.
When Lukaku was spotted by teammate substitute Robin Gosens, Ederson produced a deft stop to prevent him from scoring with a point-blank header in the 88th minute.
Inter applied further pressure in the closing minutes, with Barella missing a shot in stoppage time and Dimarco forcing Ederson to make another flying save, but Inzaghi’s team ultimately came up just short on the night.
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