Ilkay Gundogan reveals the tactics behind his record-breaking opener in the FA Cup final

Ilkay Gundogan has provided insight into the tactics behind his record-breaking opening FA Cup final game against Manchester United.

The Man City captain scored a brace on Saturday as Pep Guardiola’s side defeated their rivals at Wembley to win the FA Cup.

Victory also means the club equals their neighbors’ record as the only England side to win the treble within a single game.

City took the initiative immediately on Saturday afternoon, with Gundogan scoring after just 12 seconds, setting a record for the fastest final goal in the league’s 154-year history.

Gundogan’s opening broke the previous record held by Louis Saha, who scored after just 25 seconds before Everton were beaten by Chelsea in 2009.

The German midfielder passed the ball all the way back to goalkeeper Stefan Ortega from kick-off to get the game started.

Ortega then kicked long, with Erling Haaland beating Bruno Fernandes in the air towards Kevin De Bruyne.

Victor Lindelof’s brief hesitation before challenging De Bruyne in the air saw the ball bounce into Gundogan’s path, and the former Borussia Dortmund midfielder duly fired home to put the Premier League champions ahead.

When Gundogan spoke after the match, he revealed that the sequence had been practiced on the training ground, but was surprised to see it work so effectively in the match.

‘Obviously [the opening goal surprised me]. We know how we do, how we play, how we want to play at the kick-off.

Man City captain rounded off a well executed move to volley City into the lead after 12 seconds

Gundogan’s volley is the fastest final goal in the league’s 153-year history

Gundogan later scored a second as Pep Guardiola’s side lifted the trophy to keep their treble dreams alive

‘That’s what we aimed for, going long for Erling and then grabbing the second ball and trying to attack quickly.

“I think we scored for the first time this season, the ball was just amazingly placed for me and I just had to hit it.

“It was a pretty good shot and he went in, it was great.”

Speaking on BBC Sport, Alan Shearer noted the ‘route one’ approach on Guardiola’s part and praised Gundogan for his finish.

So much for Man City’s sexy football. Route one, get to the end of that Erling, turn it on and see what you can give us and he’ll win that header.

“What you can also see is that Gundogan gets out there. Lindelof does well and wins that header there but oh my god me. The technique is just incredible.’

“That’s such a difficult skill, ball coming from that side, to hit it with your right foot and get on it like that, incredible shot.”