Chapter 730: The Double-Crown Hat
Gabriel Jesus's goal reignited Manchester City's hopes of equalizing. With little time left on the clock, City threw everything forward, relentlessly pressing United players and attacking their penalty area.
For City, losing 3–2 or 4–2 made no practical difference—they would still lose the game and the trophy. However, going all out on the attack offered the possibility of scoring a single goal to take the match into extra time or even netting two for an incredible comeback victory. That was the gamble they were willing to take.
At this moment, all thoughts of defense were abandoned. For every City player, the sole focus was on attack and the Manchester United goal.
Even center-backs Vincent Kompany and Aymeric Laporte crossed the midfield line to aid their teammates in pressing United.
This high-stakes, all-or-nothing strategy left City's defense wide open—a gap that United, experts in exploiting opportunities, were quick to seize.
In the second minute of stoppage time, City's offensive pass was intercepted in the penalty area by Harry Maguire, who headed the ball out to Bruno Fernandes at the top of the box.
Bruno launched a long pass to Mason Greenwood, who was positioned furthest up the field.
The United academy graduate sprinted down the left flank, carrying the ball before delivering a cross into the box.
Scott McTominay connected with a header, but Ederson punched the ball away.
...
Riyad Mahrez was the first to recover possession. Feinting a long-range shot, he suddenly slipped a sharp through ball past Laporte, who couldn't react in time.
Kompany slid in to intercept but only managed to graze the ball, failing to clear it properly.
From behind the defenders, McTominay surged forward, reaching the loose ball. Facing Ederson, the Scotsman aimed a low shot.
Ederson managed to deflect it with his outstretched leg, sending the ball rolling sideways.
"Mahrez!"
Facing a largely empty net, Mahrez coolly slotted the ball home with a simple tap-in.
"GOOOOOOOOOOOOALLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!"
"That's the fourth! After Bruno, Mahrez also scores a brace!"
"4–2! This is the dagger! The decisive goal that seals the game!"
"2–4! There's no time left. City has lost the final!"
"The suspense is over! With two goals down and just two minutes remaining, City has no chance of a comeback!"
...
Mahrez sprinted toward the sideline, gesturing to the United fans in the stands to raise their voices.
A deafening roar erupted from the stands.
Surrounded by teammates, Mahrez celebrated the goal with unbridled joy. United players knew their victory was now assured.
The fourth official signaled four minutes of stoppage time. With two minutes already elapsed, United fans and players alike were confident the trophy was theirs.
On the sidelines, Mourinho clapped his hands, a mix of excitement and relief evident on his face.
The championship was in their grasp.
While it was "only" the FA Cup, it marked Mourinho's 16th trophy in his three years at Manchester United and the 38th of his managerial career.
By winning five trophies this season, Mourinho equaled the record of legendary Scottish manager Jock Stein, who had won 38 trophies in his career. Mourinho now stood as the second-most decorated manager in football history, trailing only Sir Alex Ferguson's record of 49 trophies.
Moreover, should Mourinho lead United to victory against Liverpool in two weeks' time, he would surpass Jock Stein and hold the honor outright.
...
Throughout his career, the "Third-Season Syndrome" had shadowed Mourinho's managerial tenures. Whether at Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan, or Real Madrid, the third season often spelled turmoil or departure.
But Mourinho had always viewed this as a blemish on his record.
Now at Manchester United, he saw hope for breaking the so-called curse.
In the ruthless world of competitive sports, results are king. While his previous stints at Porto and Inter ended on a high as he departed after their peaks, at other clubs, his third seasons saw either poor results or his dismissal.
But this third season at Manchester United had defied the narrative. The team had secured three consecutive Premier League titles and now looked poised to defend their Champions League crown.
Such stellar performances had already earned Mourinho an early contract extension, effectively shattering the "Mourinho third-season curse."
...
As the game reached its final moments, and the referee blew the final whistle, Wembley Stadium erupted into contrasting emotions.
City fans responded with boos, expressing their disappointment, while others applauded their team's valiant effort despite the defeat.
The Manchester United fans were unified and electrified in their emotions. The instant the final whistle blew, a deafening roar erupted like a tsunami.
United had become the first team in the 148-year history of the FA Cup to achieve a four-peat!
"The match is over! At Wembley Stadium, Manchester United have defeated Manchester City 4–2, claiming the 2018–2019 FA Cup title!"
"Congratulations to Manchester United. They've triumphed over Arsenal, Chelsea, Wolves, and City, proving themselves deserving champions."
"With this historic win, Manchester United become the first team in FA Cup history to claim four consecutive titles!"
"Guardiola must be feeling disappointed. His team lost a final, and the match itself left City with few opportunities to turn the tide against United."
...
As soon as the match ended, journalists waiting on the sidelines rushed onto the pitch, heading straight for their chosen interview targets.
United's heroes of the match—Bruno, Mahrez, Mbappé—and even unused substitutes like Mata and Herrera—were quickly surrounded by reporters.
Meanwhile, a smaller contingent of reporters approached the defeated City players. Most of these journalists were from outlets sympathetic to City, as this moment clearly belonged to the victors.
Of course, United's coach, José Mourinho, the hottest managerial name in world football, was also a prime target for the reporters.
"Just a moment," Mourinho said with a polite gesture to the reporters before walking straight toward Guardiola.
Guardiola was busy consoling his players. Losing a final and a championship was understandably tough for his squad to accept.
As Mourinho, with a train of reporters trailing behind him, confidently approached, Guardiola could feel his temper rising.
He had no illusions about Mourinho's intentions—it wasn't pure courtesy.
"Josep, that was an incredible match," Mourinho said, extending his hand. "City is a strong team and a worthy opponent."
So, we're strong, yet we still lost to you—is that what you mean? Guardiola thought bitterly.
"Congratulations," Guardiola said curtly, barely shaking Mourinho's hand before pulling away. He had no patience for Mourinho's smugness.
...
While Mourinho was mobbed by journalists, Bruno Fernandes, as captain, led his teammates to the sideline to acknowledge the United supporters.
The fans erupted in cheers, their excitement boiling over.
"Champions!"
"We are the champions!"
"Manchester United is the champion!"
The fans sang United's anthem over and over, shouting the players' names with unbridled joy.
Next, United's players lined up to honor the runners-up, Manchester City, in a guard of honor.
For City, however, this gesture of sportsmanship was salt in the wound. They would have preferred to quietly collect their silver medals and leave unnoticed.
Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, presented Guardiola with the silver medal, embracing the Spaniard and offering words of consolation.
City's players departed with heavy hearts, carrying their silver medals and lingering regrets.
...
The moment United fans had been waiting for finally arrived.
In the Wembley Stadium announcer's booming voice:
"Now, let's welcome… the champions—Manchester United!!"
"Manchester United! Manchester United! Manchester United!"
The United supporters erupted in thunderous applause and chants as the players ascended the podium one by one.
Television cameras captured close-ups of each United player as they received their gold medals from Prince Charles.
Finally, the most thrilling moment came.
Bruno Fernandes, as captain, accepted the gleaming FA Cup trophy from Prince Charles.
The players began a raucous countdown:
"Three, two, one!"
"Champions!"
"We are the champions!"
Bruno hoisted the trophy high into the air, sending Wembley Stadium into a euphoric frenzy.
Maroon-colored confetti and streamers, symbolizing United's colors, burst from behind the podium and rained down over the crowd. From the stadium's roof, more red streamers cascaded down.
Queen's iconic anthem, "We Are the Champions," echoed throughout the stadium.
"Congratulations to Manchester United! The 2018–2019 FA Cup winners! Congratulations!"
"Congratulations to Manchester United, to Bruno, to Harry Kane, to Rashford, to Mahrez, to Mbappé, to Maguire, to Luke Shaw… Congratulations to Mourinho! United deserves this victory!" Andy Gray exclaimed passionately in the broadcast.
Outside Wembley, fireworks lit up the London night sky, making the stadium the brightest point in England's capital.
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