PAY ATTENTION: Follow YEN's WhatsApp channel for a daily dose of breaking news on the go!Manchester City defeated Arsenal 2–0 in the 2026 EFL Cup final on Sunday, March 22, 2026, a victory that further cemented Pep Guardiola’s legendary status in football management.The triumph at Wembley Stadium took Guardiola’s overall trophy count to 40 career titles, including minor honours. The hugely successful football tactician could add to his already impressive haul as Man City eye the 2025/26 Premier League silverware at the expense of Arsenal.Arsenal started the 2026 EFL Cup final on the front foot, immediately taking control and creating the first real chances of the contest.Read alsoControversy grows as new video challenges Erling Haaland goal vs ArsenalPAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Instagram - get the most important news directly in your favourite app!Kai Havertz was the first to test James Trafford, but the Manchester City shot-stopper reacted well to keep the effort out. Shortly after, Bukayo Saka produced two quick attempts from narrow angles, yet Trafford remained alert and denied him on both occasions.The pressure continued from Arsenal, with Leandro Trossard seeing a strike blocked before Piero Hincapié rose highest from a corner, only to send his header over the crossbar.The opening half was not only competitive but also tense, with disciplinary action coming into play as both Hincapié and Abdukodir Khusanov were shown yellow cards by referee Peter Bankes.Despite Arsenal’s early dominance, Manchester City gradually worked their way into the game. Jérémy Doku and Erling Haaland both went close to breaking the deadlock before half-time, but neither side could find a finishing touch.In the end, a lively and evenly contested first half finished goalless, with both teams still searching for the breakthrough in the high-stakes final.Read alsoSupercomputer picks Premier League winner after Manchester City defeat ArsenalMeanwhile, Haaland and Havertz each had efforts blocked early in the second half, while Arsenal goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga was booked after rushing out of his area to foul Doku, as BB Sport reported.Manchester City started to grow into the game as they took more control in midfield, with Rodri, Antoine Semenyo and Rayan Cherki all helping to create sustained pressure on the opposition.The breakthrough eventually arrived in the 60th minute when young defender Nico O’Reilly climbed highest to meet a delivery from Cherki, heading home after an error from Kepa Arrizabalaga.City wasted no time in extending their lead, as just four minutes later O’Reilly struck again. This time, he powered in another header from a well-placed cross by Matheus Nunes, putting his side firmly in control with a quickfire double.Arsenal pushed hard in the closing stages, with substitute Riccardo Calafiori forcing a save from Trafford and later hitting the post. Gabriel Jesus also struck the crossbar as the Gunners searched for a way back into the game.Read alsoPremier League: How many points Man City need to clinch the titleMeanwhile, it was a special night for Pep Guardiola, widely regarded as one of the greatest football managers alongside the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson, Jose Mourinho, and Vicente del Bosque.While Ferguson is regarded as the manager with the most titles won (49), according to GiveMeSport, Guardiola is just behind with 40.However, contemporary boss Joe Mourinho is far below the pecking order with 26 honours. YEN.com.gh has listed each piece of silverware the former Barcelona boss has clinched following Man City's Wembley victory, as cited by Wikipedia. Read alsoSemenyo earns high praise from Arsenal legend: "He's one of the best"Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that Guardiola described the decision by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to award the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title to Morocco as a "surprise".The Manchester City manager shared his thoughts after CAF's Appeal Board overturned the original result on March 17, a ruling that has split opinion across the football world.JOIN IN: Suspicious Content In Your Feed? Bust It With Our Free and Brief Fact-Checking Course. Get a Certificate!Source: YEN.com.gh Gariba Raubil (Sports Editor) Gariba Raubil is a skilled sports writer and broadcaster with over 14 years of experience in sports journalism. He is a CAF and FIFA-accredited reporter and has been a member of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) and the Sports Writers Association of Ghana since 2020. He has covered several international tournaments, including two All-Africa Games in 2015 and 2023. He also reported on the 2017 CAF Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon, the 2018 Women’s AFCON, and the 2025 AFCON in Morocco. Email: [email protected]