Man City captain Ilkay Gundogan ‘FINALLY gets his FA Cup winners’ medal after missing out at Wembley due to a shortage’… despite fringe player who didn’t make it into the squad receiving one
- Gundogan scored twice in City’s 2-1 victory over Man United in Saturday’s final
- His opening strike after 12 seconds was the quickest Cup final goal of all time
- But despite his heroics, the German initially failed to receive a winners’ medal
Ilkay Gundogan has finally received his FA Cup winners’ medal after initially missing out on one despite his final heroics for Manchester City at Wembley.
Gundogan inspired City to their second major trophy of the season and kept them on course for a historic Treble by scoring twice in their 2-1 win over arch-rivals Manchester United on Saturday.
The City captain first powered home the fastest FA Cup final goal of all time to fire them in front, volleying past David de Gea and into the top-right corner after a mere 12 seconds.
Both sides went in level at the break after Jack Grealish’s controversial handball allowed Bruno Fernandes to equalise from the penalty spot, yet six minutes into the second half Gundogan produced another volley to move City back in front.
That second strike turned out to be the winner for Pep Guardiola’s men, who are now just one victory away from sweeping up all three major honours this season.
Man City captain Ilkay Gundogan has finally received his FA Cup medal after Saturday’s final
Gundogan scored two goals – including the quickest in FA Cup final history, as City beat rivals Man United 2-1 to land their second trophy of the season
Despite his heroics, the German was initially denied a winners’ medal before lifting the trophy
Having won them the second of those prizes, Gundogan climbed up the famous Wembley steps as he prepared to lift the trophy, only to find there was no winners’ medal left for him.
According to The Sun, the Germany midfielder was told by Prince William that they had run out of medals, meaning he went without one during the trophy lift and their subsequent celebrations.
Kevin de Bruyne is also said to have missed out on a medal, however goalkeeper Ederson later passed him one as they celebrated.
Fringe player Sergio Gomez received one despite not being in the matchday squad
Instead of their match-winning captain, fringe player Sergio Gomez – who didn’t even make it into the squad on the day – was seen wearing a medal at Wembley.
Nevertheless, 24 hours after their win over United it is believed Gundogan finally received his much-deserved gong.
On cup final day teams are typically afforded 20 medals for their starting XI, substitutes and the manager.
They are then given an extra 19 to ensure all players and staff who had not received one are duly rewarded, meaning Gundogan collected one of those spares.
Regardless of the medal mix-up, Gundogan was delighted to have lifted City’s second prize of the campaign while scoring the fastest FA Cup final goal in history.
Prince William, pictured giving Erling Haaland his medal, appeared to run out on the day
Gundogan explained the tactics behind his record-breaking opener after the victory
His opening strike after just 12 seconds smashed the previous record of 25 set by Louis Saha for Everton in the 2009 final, and after the game he explained the tactics behind his quick-fire volley.
‘Well obviously [the opening goal surprised me]. We know how we do, how we play, how we want to play at kick-off,’ Gundogan said.
‘We aimed for that, to go long for Erling and then to get the second ball and try to attack quick.
‘I guess for the first time this season we’ve scored, the ball was just placed amazingly for me, and I just had to hit it.
‘It was quite a good strike and it went in, it was amazing.’
