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Manchester City were greeted by singer Elton John as they touched down at Manchester Airport on their return from winning the FA Cup at Wembley. The club posted videos of the squad posing for pictures with the 76-year-old on the tarmac as they disembarked from their plane late on Saturday. Pep Guardiola said in advance of the final, which City won 2-1 against Manchester United to secure the second leg of a possible treble, that he had attended John’s concert in the city last week as he sought to take his mind off a defining period in the club’s history. The club’s Twitter feed headed one of the videos “you can tell everybody we have won the FA Cup”, a reference to a line from the 1971 hit Your Song. City were victorious at Wembley thanks to a goal in either half from Ilkay Gundogan – his first the fastest in FA Cup final history – as they added the trophy to the Premier League title they won in May. They face Inter Milan in the Champions League final in Istanbul on Saturday seeking to become only the second English club after Manchester United to have won all three major trophies in a single season. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

Two down, one to go. Perhaps it is a sign of the FA Cup’s diminishing status that it seems the least of the trio, perhaps a sign of its historic importance that Pep Guardiola sounded genuinely delighted to win it. “The emotions are so, so special,” he said. For the record, and it can be obscured by much else on a sizeable CV, he is now the only manager to win each of the main English, Spanish and German knockout competitions two times. There was a time when it represented arguably the biggest prize in the domestic game, another when the double was the ultimate achievement. Only four clubs did it in 97 years. In the last 38, nine have: over three decades, more than a quarter of champions have also ended the season with the FA Cup. It is a sign of how a concentration of resources at the top have altered the footballing landscape. Manchester City are an extreme case, even if the man who proved their Wembley match-winner, Ilkay Gundogan, was a £16m bargain. But if the 2023 FA Cup will have a greater significance than most, it is probably for two reasons. This was, in more than 150 years, the first final to double up as a Manchester derby. It may not be the last if City maintain their dominance and Erik ten Hag’s revival of Manchester United proves more than a fleeting affair. Both of these neighbours had arguably underachieved in the competition in the previous decade, even though each had won it once; they had claimed eight League Cups between them in the same time. And there is the importance of the FA Cup as part of a package, as one-third of a potential treble. If City’s legacy and reputation rests in part in the hands of the lawyers, given the 115 charges of breaching Premier League financial regulations, on the field, it depends on the continent. “We have to win the Champions League to be recognised how the team deserves to be,” said Guardiola. The idea is nothing new: the different element is that he has started to admit it as the prospect has grown likelier. Many a City fan would rather win the Premier League than the Champions League but it always felt disingenuous when Guardiola used to argue he would, too. “You have to put the pressure on yourself to be recognised as something good, so you have to win in Europe,” he has now admitted. Europe seems the final frontier for this most European of sides. The most seismic FA Cup – on its own, anyway – in City’s history may forever remain the 2011 tournament that Yaya Toure decided in their favour; it opened the floodgates. Then, there was a novelty value. Now, the distinctions can feel statistical: Gundogan scored the quickest goal in FA Cup final history after a mere 13 seconds. It took a contentious penalty to stop them becoming the first team since 1903 to win the competition without conceding. Their eventual goal difference was 19-1. Riyad Mahrez had delivered the first semi-final hat-trick since Alex Dawson’s in 1958. The fact the Algerian’s treble came against Sheffield United was both indicative and deceptive. “Many times we arrive in the semi-finals,” said Guardiola; they can be their undoing, the proximity of Champions League knockout ties tending to stop them flourishing on all fronts. Yet City finish this season’s competition having knocked out the teams who came second and third in the Premier League and, including Chelsea, three of the supposedly big six. They have beaten five of next season’s top flight even if two of them, Burnley and Sheffield United, had a rather greater focus on promotion. There are signs of how the FA Cup is secured this season. Erling Haaland has scored 52 goals this term but has only found the net in one FA Cup match, even if it did bring him a hat-trick against Burnley. Neither Mahrez, their top scorer in this season’s competition, nor Julian Alvarez, who was tied for second, actually took part in the final. Phil Foden, another of those to get three goals, was limited to a cameo. City’s squad is not as large as is often imagined but they have quality in such depth that their first 18 or so players are outstanding; United could reflect that theirs are perhaps not when they brought Wout Weghorst off the bench. The man who played most minutes in City’s FA Cup campaign was, indirectly, the instigator of that record-breaking goal, Stefan Ortega, whose punt forward led to Gundogan’s wondrous strike. In his own way, the second-choice goalkeeper is a reason for glory, and not merely with his collection of clean sheets. Guardiola’s willingness to pick his reserve goalkeeper has cost him in previous seasons, with Zack Steffen culpable in successive semi-final defeats. Ortega has proved an upgrade, just as City showed defensive resolve when United threatened an equaliser. But it will be Ederson who faces Internazionale, charged with completing the treble, to get the prize City want more than the FA Cup and the recognition that has eluded them Read More Man City’s FA Cup victory provides no clues on how to stop them Ilkay Gundogan, Man City’s master of timing, sets up chance for perfect goodbye Pep Guardiola urges Man City to cement greatness by winning Champions League Elton John joins Manchester City’s FA Cup celebrations Man City vs Man Utd player ratings as Ilkay Gundogan wins FA Cup final Man City’s FA Cup victory provides no clues on how to stop them

Saturday’s Scottish Cup final ironed out the European qualifiers and plans for next season. Celtic’s win over Inverness denied Caley Thistle a place in Europe and ensured Hibernian qualified through their fifth-placed finish in the cinch Premiership. The result guaranteed group-stage football for Aberdeen and also gave Hearts a later start. Here the PA new agency looks at Scotland’s five European qualifiers. Celtic Entry: Champions League group stageDraw date: August 31First game: September 19-20 Possible opponents: Celtic will be in pot four, meaning they cannot draw Newcastle for example. Although the seeds have not been finalised, a worst-case draw could see the Hoops facing Manchester City, Real Madrid and Milan. A kinder draw could see them come up against Benfica, RB Leipzig and Red Star Belgrade. Prospects: Celtic will need to finish in the top three of their group to extend their European run beyond Christmas. A top-two finish would see them enter the Champions League knockout stages while third secures entry to the Europa League. Rangers Entry: Champions League third-qualifying roundDraw date: July 24First game: August 8-9 Possible first opponents: Michael Beale’s side have four possible opponents in the non-champions path, including Sturm Graz and Serbians TSC Backa Topola. Other potential opponents could be Servette, Panathinaikos or Belgian or Ukrainian sides. Prospects: Rangers will be looking to make the Champions League group stages again and will need to win two ties to do so. Defeat at either stage would see them drop into the Europa League. They are guaranteed group-stage football whatever happens with two qualifying defeats sending them into the Europa Conference League. Aberdeen Entry: Europa League play-offsDraw date: August 7First game: August 24 Possible first opponents: There are a host of variables before the Dons enter the fray but Swiss side Lugano will definitely be among their six possible opponents, while Slavia Prague and Olympiacos might also be on the list. Prospects: The Dons will reach the Europa League group stage if they win their play-off and drop into the Conference groups if not. Hearts Entry: Europa Conference League third-qualifying roundDraw date: July 24First game: August 10 Prospects: Hearts will need to win two ties to secure a second consecutive season in the Conference League group stages. Possible first opponents: Hearts will be unseeded and earlier rounds will determine the list of seeds but AZ Alkmaar, Dinamo Kyiv, Partizan Belgrade and Rapid Vienna will be among them. Hibernian Entry: Europa Conference League second-qualifying roundDraw date: June 20-21First game: July 27 Prospects: Hibs need to win three ties to make the group stages. Possible first opponents: Hibs will be seeded and a list of 45 unseeded clubs will be split into groups nearer the draw date. UEFA normally uses a regional basis when formulating the groups so potential opponents could be Swedish sides Hammarby or Kalmar plus, depending on earlier results, Crusaders or Connah’s Quay. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Josh Tongue impresses and Ben Duckett shows pedigree – 5 England things Michael van Gerwen clinches second US Darts Masters title in New York On this day in 2009: Andy Robinson appointed Scotland head coach

Gareth Bale will not be joining the Wales coaching staff, manager Rob Page has said. Former captain Bale ended his stellar playing career in January with a farewell statement announcing he was “stepping down but not stepping away” from the Wales environment. Page said he wanted to keep the former Real Madrid forward, his country’s most capped men’s player with 111 appearances, involved in some capacity but the Wales manager has now confirmed that will not be in a coaching role. “I spoke to Gareth on Monday and I’m due to have another conversation with him this week,” Page said ahead of this month’s Euro 2024 qualifiers against Armenia and Turkey. “Nothing particular or specific, just a general. He’s open to conversations and he wants to play a part in the future, but not from a coaching point of view. “For me to have another voice from the outside watching things is beneficial. He’s enjoying his retirement.” Bale’s former team-mate Chris Gunter joined Page’s backroom staff ahead of two qualifiers in March, from which Wales made a positive start to Euro 2024 qualifying by picking up four points against Croatia and Latvia. Page said: “Gunts has come up and he’s a first-class lad. He’s doing his coaching badges, he’s great around the changing room and the lads love him to bits. He’s doing really well at the minute. “We’ve just had a four-day camp with the under-21s and our EFL players and we’ve given him more responsibility with regards to the training sessions. “The culture in the changing room is the most important thing. When I had him as a player, he was key to that. “He was never afraid to come to talk to the coaching staff and I still want that. He drives that for us.” Wales head to Portugal this week to prepare for their Euro 2024 double-header, with three key players nursing injuries. Skipper Aaron Ramsey (calf), goalkeeper Danny Ward (dislocated finger) and Neco Williams (broken jaw) missed the final games of the season for their respective clubs. But Page has been encouraged by his squad playing more Premier League minutes this term, a top-flight total of 251 appearances being 135 more than the previous campaign and the most since the 2016-17 season. He said: “You want your best players playing at the top level because that will help us to compete against the top teams in Europe and the rest of the world. “We need our players being exposed to the top teams, whether that’s in the Premier League, LaLiga, Bundesliga or Serie A. “Thankfully, we now have more of our Welsh players playing at the top level.”

Gareth Bale will not be joining the Wales coaching staff, manager Rob Page has said. Former captain Bale ended his stellar playing career in January with a farewell statement announcing he was “stepping down but not stepping away” from the Wales environment. Page said he wanted to keep the former Real Madrid forward, his country’s most capped men’s player with 111 appearances, involved in some capacity but the Wales manager has now confirmed that will not be in a coaching role. “I spoke to Gareth on Monday and I’m due to have another conversation with him this week,” Page said ahead of this month’s Euro 2024 qualifiers against Armenia and Turkey. “Nothing particular or specific, just a general. He’s open to conversations and he wants to play a part in the future, but not from a coaching point of view. “For me to have another voice from the outside watching things is beneficial. He’s enjoying his retirement.” Bale’s former team-mate Chris Gunter joined Page’s backroom staff ahead of two qualifiers in March, from which Wales made a positive start to Euro 2024 qualifying by picking up four points against Croatia and Latvia. He’s open to conversations and he wants to play a part in the future, but not from a coaching point of view Rob Page on Gareth Bale Page said: “Gunts has come up and he’s a first-class lad. He’s doing his coaching badges, he’s great around the changing room and the lads love him to bits. He’s doing really well at the minute. “We’ve just had a four-day camp with the under-21s and our EFL players and we’ve given him more responsibility with regards to the training sessions. “The culture in the changing room is the most important thing. When I had him as a player, he was key to that. “He was never afraid to come to talk to the coaching staff and I still want that. He drives that for us.” Wales head to Portugal this week to prepare for their Euro 2024 double-header, with three key players nursing injuries. Skipper Aaron Ramsey (calf), goalkeeper Danny Ward (dislocated finger) and Neco Williams (broken jaw) missed the final games of the season for their respective clubs. But Page has been encouraged by his squad playing more Premier League minutes this term, a top-flight total of 251 appearances being 135 more than the previous campaign and the most since the 2016-17 season. He said: “You want your best players playing at the top level because that will help us to compete against the top teams in Europe and the rest of the world. “We need our players being exposed to the top teams, whether that’s in the Premier League, LaLiga, Bundesliga or Serie A. “Thankfully, we now have more of our Welsh players playing at the top level.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Keira Walsh happy as ‘special club’ Barcelona land another Champions League Pep Guardiola urges Man City to cement greatness by winning Champions League Erik ten Hag wants Manchester United to use FA Cup final defeat as motivation

Celtic clinched the domestic treble with a 3-1 Scottish Cup final win over Inverness Caledonian Thistle at Hampden Park. The showpiece occasion was played against the backdrop of mounting speculation around Tottenham’s interest in Hoops boss Ange Postecoglou, who again had Kyogo Furuhashi to thank for his contribution. The Japan striker struck for the 34th times this season in the 38th minute of an otherwise nondescript first half to undo the good early work of Billy Dodds’ rank outsiders. The Championship outfit, who had not played a competitive game for a month, fell further behind when Hoops’ half-time substitute Liel Abada slid in a second in the 65th minute. Caley substitute Dan MacKay pulled a goal back with five minutes remaining, only for Portuguese winger Jota to restore Celtic’s two-goal advantage as the game slipped into six minutes of added time. It is the eighth time Celtic had completed the clean sweep of League, League Cup and Scottish Cup - a world record - and now eyes turn to see what the future holds for Postecoglou, who is the fifth Parkhead manager to win the treble. Postecoglou has been heavily linked with Tottenham Hotspur and wouldn’t be drawn by questions about him possibly leaving. “I think I deserve to enjoy this moment just like everyone else. I worked really hard for this moment,” Postecoglou told the BBC. “There will be a time to come for those kinds of questions but for now, we’ve grasped a small chunk of history for ourselves and I’m not going to pass that by by being sidetracked.” Joe Hart said: “When you are around amazing footballers and top managers, the noise is always there - but that is all it is. “We are privileged to be on the inside and today was the focus all week, the manager made that very clear. “Whatever happens now will (happen) - it is the world of football, full of speculation and rumour, but the facts today were we had a treble to focus on and we did it.” Celtic defender Greg Taylor reflected on the "historic" day for the Glasgow club following another domestic treble. "The manager's motto is he wants us to improve every day, not to waste a training session, never mind a game. That is the reason why we have had this success," Taylor said. "Some players go through their career not winning one trophy, so to win three in a season is really special. "It says everything about the group of players, the staff and fans. It has been a collective effort." Celtic captain Callum McGregor paid tribute to the work of Postecoglou in turning the club's fortunes around. "You have got to bounce back when you suffer, you have to pick yourself up and get the lads to rally around each other, and that is what we did," McGregor said. "The manager came in and the group of boys that were left, we felt like we had something to prove. "It has taken us two years to get our trophies back, and the boys have worked ever so hard. We just have to enjoy the day." Read More How Ange Postecoglou restored Celtic’s dominance and became Tottenham’s first choice ‘We never stop’: How Ange Postecoglou became Tottenham’s first choice Erik ten Hag wants Manchester United to use FA Cup final defeat as motivation Man City vs Manchester United LIVE: Latest FA Cup final updates

England midfielder Keira Walsh outlined her ambitions to stay at serial winners Barcelona for the long haul after they sealed a stunning 3-2 comeback against Wolfsburg to lift the Champions League trophy for the second time in three years. Saturday’s sold-out Eindhoven showpiece was the first time Walsh was part of a title-winning side in the European competition, while club and country team-mate Lucy Bronze is now a four-time champion following a trio of victories with Lyon. Walsh, 26, joined Liga F champions Barcelona on a three-season deal last September, less than two months after winning the Euros with England, and admitted she is loving the look of her trophy cabinet. She told DAZN: “It’s been a pretty good year. The Euros, the Champions League, I think if someone was to tell me this was going to happen I wouldn’t believe them. “To play for Barcelona, for these fans, it’s a special, special feeling,” adding of her future at the club: “Yeah. I think you want to be playing in these games and winning Champions Leagues and this is the club that does that.” Walsh’s side beat Chelsea to reach their fourth final in five seasons, and had redemption on their minds after a crushing 3-1 loss to Lyon in Turin last year. Despite being heavy favourites there was a sense of deja vu for Barca, who conceded their fastest-ever opener in the competition when Ewa Pajor netted on just two minutes and 57 seconds. That brought back memories of Turin, where Barcelona fell behind after just six minutes and conceded twice more before the break. This time it was just a two-goal deficit at the restart after Alexandra Popp headed home on 37 minutes, but the shock nonetheless forced Walsh and her team-mates to dig deep. They did so in spectacular style through Patricia Guijarro, who netted twice in two minutes to ensure it was all square after just five minutes of the second period, and Fridolina Rolfo sealed the result with a 70th-minute winner. Walsh said: “First half, not great for us. I think we kept the ball but didn’t score on our chances, so to score three goals in the second half was incredible. “We just came in at half-time and Alexia [Putellas] said that if there’s any team that can overturn a two-nil it’s this team and that’s what we did. Patri Guijarro, she’s a special, special player and I think today it’s about time that people recognised that. “For me the best player in the world.” Bronze, meanwhile, made history by becoming the first English player to win the Women’s Champions League with two different clubs in her first game back since recovering from an April knee injury. It was enough to require surgery, which some feared might see her added to the list of Lionesses set to miss the World Cup, but the defender played the full final and looks fit to start England’s opener against Haiti in exactly seven weeks. Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman was on trophy-presenting duty at Saturday’s final, which got off to a shaky start for Bronze after her error led to Wolfsburg’s opener. Bronze, who played the full match, said: “Once there was two goals we shut up shop, we made it really difficult defensively, created loads of chances in attack. “It was difficult for myself and Frido, we both haven’t played for five weeks, obviously I’ve had surgery – I’ve only trained a couple of times. It was definitely difficult but I’m so happy to have played my part for the team.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Pep Guardiola urges Man City to cement greatness by winning Champions League Erik ten Hag wants Manchester United to use FA Cup final defeat as motivation Mirra Andreeva feared French Open disqualification for ‘really stupid move’

Pep Guardiola urged his Manchester City team to cement their greatness by winning the Champions League following their latest FA Cup success. City completed the domestic double for a second time under Guardiola as they overpowered rivals Manchester United 2-1 at Wembley on Saturday. Ilkay Gundogan scored both goals, including a stunning volley after just 12 seconds – the fastest goal in FA Cup final history – as City proved far too strong for their neighbours. Yet, for all their success in recent years, which also includes five Premier League titles and four Carabao Cups, Champions League glory has eluded them. They will have the chance to put that right and secure a glorious treble when they face Inter Milan in next week’s final in Istanbul. City manager Guardiola said: “Everybody knows it. We have done incredible seasons – five Premier Leagues, two FA Cups, Carabao Cups, but we have to win the Champions League to be recognised like the team deserves to be recognised. “We have to admit it, without the Champions League – it has been amazing, it has been fun – but we are missing (something). We have to do it. “We are one game away. I would say it is incredible, remarkable, that in three years we have had two finals and one semi-final of the Champions League. “But in the end we have to win it. I know how it works. I said to the players, ‘You have to put the pressure on yourself. To be recognised as something good you have to win in Europe’.” Before they fully switch focus to Inter, City can reflect on another superb trophy-winning performance. We have to admit it, without the Champions League – it has been amazing, it has been fun – but we are missing (something). We have to do it Pep Guardiola Things did not all go their way. United pegged them back after Gundogan’s rapid opener with a Bruno Fernandes penalty after Jack Grealish was controversially adjudged to have handled following a VAR review. Yet they responded early in the second half as Kevin De Bruyne picked out Gundogan on the edge of the area from a free-kick and the German volleyed in his second. From then on, Guardiola’s side kept a tight grip on the contest and duly closed out the club’s seventh FA Cup triumph. Guardiola said: “It was the best way to start a final. There was still more than 90 minutes left but it was important. “In general we played a really good game. We played with a lot of risk because the threat they have up front is so big, especially with (Marcus) Rashford, but we controlled it really well. “A final against United is always, for many reasons, difficult but the better team won. We are humble enough to accept how good they are and we did it. We’re really pleased. “Winning the FA Cup, the emotions are so, so special and to celebrate with our people, it is really great.” Gundogan has enjoyed a fine end to the season and can now add an FA Cup final-winning double to the two goals he scored to clinch the Premier League title in the closing game of last season. The midfielder is out of contract in the summer and his latest superb display will increase the club’s desire to tie him to new terms. Guardiola said: “He knows what I think. He’s a neighbour of mine. We’ve lived on the same floor for many years and he’s a close friend of mine. “He’s an exceptional player and hopefully we can finish it (contract talks) in a good way. The season he has done is exceptional. He is very important for many reasons.” Read More Man City cement domestic dominance with FA Cup victory which provides no clues on how to stop them Ilkay Gundogan, Man City’s master of timing, sets up chance for perfect goodbye Supporter arrested at FA Cup final for wearing offensive Hillsborough T-shirt Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

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Erik ten Hag says Manchester United must use the pain of their narrow FA Cup final defeat to Manchester City to improve and eventually catch their dominant neighbours. The eyes of the footballing world were on Wembley as these rivals went toe-to-toe in a major cup final for the first time on Saturday afternoon. Ilkay Gundogan opened the scoring with a stunning volley after 12 seconds, with Bruno Fernandes’ penalty cancelling out the quickest goal in FA Cup final history. But City regained the lead through another Gundogan volley to seal a 2-1 win, giving them a chance to emulate United’s 1999 treble heroes in next weekend’s Champions League final. Many United fans had started the long, train strike-impacted journey home when their rivals lifted the trophy, but Ten Hag and his team watched those celebrations. “First of all, show respect always,” the Dutchman said. “But, yeah, of course, it’s a motivation. “You have to feel it in your stomach. This hurts and it has to be fuel. You have to feel it in your stomach. This hurts and it has to be fuel Erik ten Hag “We want to be there and our team, my players, deserved it, but you have to grab it and that is the next step we have to make.” It was a galling end to a promising first season under Ten Hag, who is proud to have overseen a third-placed finish, Carabao Cup win and narrow FA Cup final loss. “I want to congratulate City for winning the FA Cup, but I think it was very narrow, it was head to head,” he said. “We played very competitive out of a very good organisation. “We didn’t allow them out from open play against probably the best team in the world in this moment. “We fought back after going a quick goal down and I think we are the only team in the world who is capable of fighting back against this team from City. “So, yeah, I was happy with the performance of my team.” David De Gea’s role has been debated all season and his part in City’s second goal has been called into question, leading Ten Hag to be asked whether he was comfortable having him going into next season. “In this moment, I don’t want to talk about such issues, about criticism because we played all a great season, including David De Gea,” he said of the goalkeeper, who has yet to extend his contract beyond the summer. “He played a fantastic season. If you consider that City and us before today both had 42 wins. “Now they have one win more, so the difference was made today. Then you can tell we played a fantastic season and it’s more than we could have expected before. “We were third in the league, we are qualified for the Champions League, and we won a trophy and we were in another final. “So, yeah, I’m really happy with the performance from my team all over.” Ten Hag bemoaned “soft goals” after a loss and season where the lack of quality and depth compared to treble-chasing City has been clear. United have work to do in the summer but the interminable takeover process continues to hang over the club as the Glazer family drag the process out. Co-owner Avram Glazer was at Wembley for the final and ignored questions about the takeover as he left through the interview area. “I think in this moment I don’t want to discuss that,” Ten Hag said when asked about the takeover and summer improvements. “It’s about finalising the season. We have to be quiet, analyse the season, go into the depth, then set the right conclusions and then take action. It’s about that. “Of course, during the season you continually make your considerations and already some actions are into process. “But, yeah, now the season is finished and the conclusion all over is we played a brilliant season.” Asked if he has different plans for whether there is a takeover or not, Ten Hag said: “I have only one plan and that is to improve this club and to improve this team. “I will fight for (that). I have my ideas and I already talked with the club about what we have to do for that. “But also what I said, yeah, I have to work with my staff, with my players to be better in next season.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Mirra Andreeva feared French Open disqualification for ‘really stupid move’ Casper Ruud and Holger Rune close on French Open rematch after third-round wins Hugo Lloris contemplating Tottenham exit as he has ‘desire for other things’

The previous time a Manchester City captain lifted the FA Cup it represented his perfect goodbye. Vincent Kompany announced his departure the following morning. He had spent the second half, he subsequently admitted, soaking it all in, surveying the fans, with victory against Watford long since assured. As City, a game away from the treble, may make history, there is a way in which it might repeat itself. Partly, anyway. Once again, the captain is out of contract, wondering what comes next. This time, he has one more game, a Champions League final. And this time the skipper was not a spectator standing on the Wembley pitch. He was the match-winner. He often is. When a season reaches its business end, the man City increasingly rely upon is Ilkay Gundogan, the nice guy with a tendency to finish first and, as his winning goals demonstrate, score last. He can trace two of a growing medal collection directly to his strikes; to his doubles, really, as a brace decided the Premier League on the final day of last season and another secured the FA Cup. The platform for this season’s league title was laid by Gundogan, his pairs of goals against Leeds and Everton demoralising Arsenal. No wonder Mikel Arteta wants to recruit him. If you can’t stop Gundogan, sign him. On a landmark occasion, the first time both captains had scored in an FA Cup final, City found a curiously old-fashioned way of claiming a prize that dates back to 1872. There are places where the armband is simply given on grounds of seniority or longevity. In England, it can come with the expectation of inspirational leadership; the watching Sir Alex Ferguson had first Bryan Robson and then Roy Keane as warrior captains. The onlooking David Beckham’s greatest act in an England shirt was the 2001 free kick against Greece to send his country to the World Cup. The previous captain to deliver two FA Cup final goals in the No. 8 shirt was Steven Gerrard. Each had an element of Roy of the Rovers; so does Ilkay of the City. Which, to rewind a few years, would have seemed surprising. Gundogan was the stylist: amiable, multilingual, injury-prone but scarcely appeared Kompany’s natural heir. But the reinvention of German reached its apotheosis in record-breaking time at Wembley. Gundogan may yet have a place in history alongside Keane as a treble-winning captain. He has secured a spot as the scorer of the quickest FA Cup final goal; he was the scourge of both the modern-day United and a former United striker, Louis Saha, whose 2009 goal for Everton is now merely the second quickest. And 2009 had another relevance. Fourteen years after Ferguson said United would never go into a derby as underdogs in his lifetime, their outsiders were behind after 13 seconds. Often an elegant presence, Gundogan had an explosive impact. A crouching David de Gea watched a half-volley fly past him. The sedate technician has been converted into a dynamic, goalscoring force. Perhaps his innate calmness equips him for the big moments; he is both relaxed and ruthless. His second had an oddity. There are few purer strikers of a ball than Gundogan but his left shin sufficed, meeting Kevin De Bruyne’s free kick to find De Gea wanting. Few can score from 20 yards in an FA Cup final, fewer still with each foot – or leg – in arguably the biggest Manchester derby of all. But for an offside flag, he would have had a hat-trick. And yet City’s methods felt instructive. The opener stemmed from route one, from Stefan Ortega’s punt forward and Victor Lindelof’s header, as well as Gundogan’s more advanced role. The German can hang around Erling Haaland, looking for the flick-ons and knockdowns. This, instead, was a second ball, the sort of thing Pep Guardiola rarely had to consider when his Barcelona side monopolised possession. He was unmarked for his second goal. As subsequent corners suggested, it was as though City had spotted a flaw in United’s set-piece marking and realised there was space on the edge of the box. Guardiola directed Gundogan to lurk their, leaving one of his best goalscorers outside the penalty area, where he could do most damage. But City’s goals came not from intricate passing moves but from a long ball and a set-piece: Guardiola’s mutation into the Catalan Sam Allardyce is complete. Admittedly there are times this season, when Manchester City’s back four has comprised of four centre-backs, when he might have been more of a Spanish Tony Pulis. He had emerged from the tunnel in a hoodie, apparently dressed as a teenager. Erik ten Hag turned up dressed instead like Sean Dyche, a business-like figure in dark suit and white shirt. But like Dyche’s Everton, his United were defeated by a Gundogan double. He had a second trophy to lift. He is one game away from completing City’s greatest season as their greatest captain. And maybe taking his leave. It would seem odd, but in his own way Ilkay Gundogan has become City’s master of perfect timing. Read More Man City vs Manchester United LIVE: FA Cup final result and final score after Ilkay Gundogan double Man City vs Man Utd result and player ratings as Ilkay Gundogan wins FA Cup final Even in defeat, Alejandro Garnacho shows he’s the future of Man United Manchester City one win away from sporting immortality after winning FA Cup Victor Lindelof struck by object thrown from crowd in FA Cup final Gundogan breaks record for fastest-ever goal in an FA Cup final

Fridolina Rolfo’s strike completed a stunning second-half comeback to secure Barcelona the Champions League trophy with a 3-2 victory over Wolfsburg at Eindhoven’s sold-out Philips Stadion. The Spanish side were favourites to win a second title in three years but were stunned by Ewa Pajor’s opener after just three minutes, while skipper Alexandra Popp extended Wolfsburg’s advantage to two before the break. Two goals inside two second-half minutes for Patricia Guijarro brought Barcelona back into the contest immediately following the restart before they benefited from a Wolfsburg error to seal the win. Barca’s victory also made English history, with Lioness Lucy Bronze becoming the first from her country to win the Champions League title with two clubs having previously done so three times with Lyon. Both sides had eliminated English opponents to get here, with Wolfsburg seeing off Arsenal and Barcelona reaching their fourth showpiece in five seasons after drawing 1-1 with Chelsea in their second leg to advance 2-1 on aggregate. Current England and former Netherlands boss Sarina Wiegman brought out the trophy on a sunny afternoon in her native country, and was no doubt delighted to see Bronze, recovered from knee surgery, back in the Barcelona starting line-up exactly seven weeks before the Lionesses open their World Cup campaign. It was the England defender’s mistake, however, that led to her side conceding after just two minutes and 57 seconds – the fastest Barcelona had ever fallen behind in the competition. Barca had a shot stopped by Merle Frohms before Pajor won the ball off Bronze and made her way into the centre before drilling past Sandra Panos into the top right corner. That likely conjured up painful memories for Barcelona, who conceded to eventual 3-1 winners Lyon after six minutes last year in Turin. Irene Paredes cringed after wasting a free header, while at the other end Sveindis Jonsdottir had a half-volley saved for the Frauen-Bundesliga runners-up. Caroline Graham Hansen found herself in a perfect position to level from Mapi Leon’s excellent delivery but the Norwegian could not connect and seemed thrown off by the bounce the ball took en route to the six-yard box. As the Liga F champions struggled to settle into a dominant rhythm, Pajor turned provider and sent a fine delivery in the direction of her skipper to dutifully head home – Popp in the process equalling Ada Hegerberg’s UWCL record as she got herself on the finals scoresheet in a fourth separate season. It took an alert Frohms to deny Salma Paralluelo late in the period and send her side into the second half with a two-goal advantage. That was erased within five minutes after the restart when Guijarro collected Graham Hansen’s cut-back, then nodded her second past a leaping Frohms two minutes later from Aitana Bonmati’s delivery. Barcelona’s comeback was complete after Lynn Wilms’ attempted clearance instead deflected off team-mate Kathrin Hendrich, allowing Mariona Caldentey to tap the ball to Rolfo, who fired in the 70th-minute winner from the edge of the six-yard box. Both benches showed nerves during seven minutes of stoppage time, but it was Barca who ultimately survived a late scare to secure the trophy. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Hugo Lloris contemplating Tottenham exit as he has ‘desire for other things’ Manchester City one win away from sporting immortality after winning FA Cup Resistance of Ireland tail-enders ensures England must bat again at Lord’s