For Manchester City, it was the crowning glory, the trophy that they have craved to complete the ultimate set. It is often said that clubs must suffer before they win the Champions League and how City have done so, especially during the Pep Guardiola years when domestic dominance has brought no guarantees in Europe’s elite and most capricious competition.

They suffered some more here, Internazionale pushing them all the way, much further than many had expected. The team that finished third in Serie A were the equal of City for much of a high-stress night here in Istanbul.

There was a moment just before the hour when Guardiola sank to his knees as Lautaro Martínez rushed up the left only to shoot too close to Ederson. It was a long way from being the kind of crushing City performance that Premier League supporters have grown used to.

It was only about the result and City found a way to it through the force of their personality. It had become increasingly clear that one moment could be all that either side needed and City made it happen when Manuel Akanji played in Bernardo Silva up the right and when his pull-back deflected, there was Rodri, running on to the loose ball to send a low shot fizzing home.

Inter could have equalised. They should have equalised. Federico Dimarco looped a header up and against the crossbar and, when he headed again on the rebound, the ball hit his own teammate, Romelu Lukaku, and refused to go in. Lukaku would blow a gilt-edged header from close range in the 89th minute when he simply had to score from close range, Ederson saving with his legs. It was a remarkable intervention. More anxiety followed in the last of five added minutes when Dimarco’s corner was flicked goalwards by Marcelo Brozovic but Ederson saved brilliantly again. City’s joy knew no bounds.