Man City captain Ilkay Gundogan ‘FINALLY gets his FA Cup winners’ medal after missing out at Wembley due to shortfall’…despite fringe player who didn’t make squad receive one
- Gundogan scored twice in City’s 2-1 win over Manchester United in Saturday’s final
- His opening stroke after 12 seconds was the fastest cup goal of all time
- But despite his heroic deeds, the German did not initially receive a winner’s medal
Ilkay Gundogan has finally collected his FA Cup winners’ medal after initially missing out on one despite his latest 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 made the fastest FA Cup final of all time by firing them forward, past David de Gea into the top right corner in just 12 seconds.
Both sides drew level at half-time after Jack Grealish’s controversial handball allowed Bruno Fernandes to equalize from the penalty spot, but six minutes into the second half, Gündogan produced another volley to put City forward again.
That second goal proved to be the winner for Pep Guardiola’s men, who are now just one win away from all three major trophies this season.
Manchester City captain Ilkay Gundogan has finally collected his FA Cup medal after Saturday’s final
Gundogan scored two goals – including the fastest in FA Cup final history as City beat rivals Man United 2-1 to lift their second trophy of the season
Despite his heroics, the German was initially denied a winner’s medal before lifting the trophy
Having won them the second of those awards, Gundogan ascended the famous Wembley steps as he prepared to lift the trophy, only to find that there was no winner’s medal left for him.
According to The sunthe German midfielder was told by Prince William that they had run out of medals, meaning he had none at the trophy presentation and subsequent celebrations.
Kevin de Bruyne would also have missed a medal, but goalkeeper Ederson later passed him one as they celebrated.
Fringe player Sergio Gomez received one despite not being in the match squad
Instead of their captain winning the game, edge player Sergio Gomez – who didn’t even make the squad on the day – was seen with a medal at Wembley.
Nevertheless, 24 hours after their victory over United, Gündogan is believed to have finally received his well-deserved gong.
On the Cup final day, teams are usually awarded 20 medals for their starting eleven, substitutes and the manager.
They then get an extra 19 to ensure that all players and staff who didn’t receive one are duly rewarded, meaning Gundogan has collected one of those spares.
Regardless of the medal change, Gundogan was pleased to have taken City’s second trophy of the campaign as he scored the fastest FA Cup final goal in history.
Prince William, pictured presenting Erling Haaland with his medal, appeared to be running out that day
Gundogan explained the tactics behind his record opener after the win
His opening strike after just 12 seconds broke Louis Saha’s previous record of 25 for Everton in the 2009 final, and after the match he explained the tactics behind his swift volley.
‘Obviously [the opening goal surprised me]. We know how we do, how we play, how we want to play from the kick-off,” Gundogan said.
‘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.”