By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Chelsea won the Champions League for the second time after beating Manchester City in a thrilling final in Porto.
Kai Havertz scored the decisive goal just before half-time, running on to Mason Mount’s excellent ball before knocking it past Ederson and then rolling into the empty net.
City, who were looking to win the competition for the first time, never really showed the imposing dominance that had brought them the 2020-21 Premier League title, with Pep Guardiola’s bold team selection having failed to come off.
The former Barcelona boss had left Fernandinho and Rodri on the bench as he named an attacking line-up but they struggled to take control of midfield in their absence.
They did have a good chance to score before Havertz’s goal but Antonio Rudiger made an excellent block to deny Phil Foden.
City, who lost Kevin De Bruyne to injury midway through the second half, threw on Sergio Aguero for his final appearance but there was no fairytale ending for the club’s greatest goalscorer as Chelsea closed out the win.
Riyad Mahrez flashed a shot just wide in the final seconds but it was not to be for City as Chelsea held firm to claim the trophy.
And despite seven minutes of added on time and Phil Foden going close, Pep Guardiola and City were left to rue an opportunity missed, as Chelsea celebrated their triumph.
Soak it up Chelsea fans! ?#UCL #UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/BgsxKX4xpD
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 29, 2021
It is a huge personal triumph for Thomas Tuchel, who already had victories against Guardiola in the FA Cup semi-final and in the Premier League at Etihad Stadium going in to this game.
And the confidence and self-belief those victories brought was in evidence as Chelsea played with a fearless attitude that never allowed City to settle and sparked wild scenes of celebration among players, staff and the fans inside Porto’s Estadio do Dragao.
The scale of Tuchel’s achievement is that this night was barely imaginable when he arrived in January but now Chelsea are champions of Europe for a second time.