Chelsea Football Club have won the 20/21 Champions League in Portugal after beating Manchester City 1-0.
A single Kai Havertz goal in the 42nd minute courtesy of a Mason Mount assist was the difference between the Premier League Champions and the now 2x European Champions.
Timo Werner played a key role in the first half, and Chelsea should have taken the lead much sooner than they did.
In the first ten minutes, Kai Havertz found the German free in the area, but he mishit his attempt before scuffing a 10-yard effort straight at Ederson.
Manchester City struggled to get beyond their opponents’ defense early on, but Phil Foden came close to scoring as he drove into the penalty area, only to be denied by Antonio Rüdiger’s incredible last-gasp block.
When Thiago Silva had to leave the pitch owing to a suspected groin injury 38 minutes in, Thomas Tuchel was devastated, but his attitude was to flip dramatically just four minutes later.
Mason Mount’s through ball split the City defense open, allowing Havertz to race through on goal before rounding Ederson and rolling the ball into the empty net to put his team ahead.
Pep Guardiola’s concerns were exacerbated in the 58th minute when Kevin De Bruyne was forced off hurt after colliding with Rüdiger, and City had a penalty appeal knocked down for an apparent handball by Reece James.
After a quick counter-attack, Havertz moved forward, but his shot from a tight angle went just wide of the far post.
Sergio Agüero came off the bench to make his final appearance for Manchester City, but the Argentine was unable to produce a memorable performance.
As City drove for an equaliser, Phil Foden was denied by a late stop from Andreas Christensen beneath the crossbar in the final minute of normal time, before Riyad Mahrez’s right-footed shot from the edge of the box bounced just over the crossbar.
Chelsea, on the other hand, held out and will raise the Champions League trophy for the first time since their 2012 victory over Bayern Munich, with Tuchel finally putting the ghosts of PSG’s final defeat to the Germans to rest.
Another heartbreaking night for Pep Guardiola and his men.
Congratulations to Chelsea Football Club, Champions of Europe.
