Match in brief: City claim European glory
City navigated an unbeaten path to the final, racking up a competition-best 31 goals in the process, so it was little surprise that they started on the front foot. Inter had let in only one goal in six knockout games, however, and for so long did an excellent job of marshalling their opponents' galaxy of attacking talent.
Erling Haaland – subsequently flagged offside – and Bernardo Silva did both go close in the opening stages, but it was not until the 27th minute that Kevin De Bruyne unpicked the Nerazzurri lock and Haaland got off a firm shot at goal; André Onana, as usual, was positioned well.
De Bruyne is so often City's creator-in-chief, but the man with 31 assists this season came off injured before half-time; Josep Guardiola's team would have to think again.
Their faith was tested once more before the hour, Manuel Akanji misjudging a Bernardo Silva pass to allow Lautaro Martínez to pounce. On this occasion, Ederson was alert enough to close down the angle.
Onana had no such luxury at the other end when a neat City move resulted in the ball dropping to Rodri just inside the penalty area; City's midfield pivot showed characteristic calm to side-foot into the corner. The treble was on.
Inter were far from deflated by going behind, though, and, just three minutes later, so nearly drew level, only for Federico Dimarco's looping header to strike the crossbar.
De Bruyne's replacement, Phil Foden, soon went close at the other end, but there was still time for one last nerve-jangler for Guardiola and his charges. Romelu Lukaku's close-ranger header somehow ricocheted off Ederson's knee and the engraver could finish adding City's name to the trophy for the first time.
PlayStation® Player of the Match: Rodri (Man City)
"Came up with the winning goal in a game with few chances and his involvement for City between the boxes was essential to having a balanced City side."
UEFA Technical Observer Panel
Matthew Howarth, Man City reporter
It was perhaps not the prettiest performance from Guardiola's star-studded ensemble, but this was never likely to be one-sided affair – Inter are far too good for that. The Serie A side were excellent in the first half but, when City were struggling to get into gear early in the second, they failed to take advantage. Rodri's goal cements his place in club history on the back of a tremendous personal campaign, while Guardiola becomes the first coach since Sir Alex Ferguson to lead an English club to the treble.
Vieri Capretta, Inter reporter
An almost perfect first half for the Nerazzurri – solid at the back and showing glimpses of what they could do going forward. In the second half Inter did what they had to do, kept the game under control, had two enormous chances, but ultimately came up short. Simone Inzaghi and his players shouldn't have regrets – with a bit of luck this could have gone their way.
Key stats
City are the 23rd different team – and the sixth from England – to win the European Cup.
Josep Guardiola is just the fourth coach to win the European Cup on three occasions.
City are only the tenth team in history to complete a treble of league, cup and European Cup.
Haaland finished as the competition's leading scorer with 12 goals.
City are the 15th European Cup winners to remain unbeaten throughout their campaign (W8 D5).
This was the fourth successive UEFA Champions League final to finish 1-0.
Fantasy star performers
To follow.
Line-ups
Man City: Ederson; Akanji, Rúben Dias, Aké; Stones (Walker 82), Rodri; Bernardo Silva, De Bruyne (Foden 36), Gündoğan, Grealish; Haaland
Inter: Onana; Darmian (D'Ambrosio 84), Acerbi, Bastoni (Gosens 76); Dumfries (Bellanova 76), Barella, Brozović, Hakan Çalhanoğlu (Mkhitaryan 84), Dimarco; Martínez, Džeko (Lukaku 57)
What's next?
The 2023/24 UEFA Champions League begins with the preliminary round semi-finals on 27 June; the draw takes place on Tuesday 13 June. Both City and Inter will enter next season's competition in the group stage, the draw for which takes place on Thursday 31 August.