KEVIN DE BRUYNE was in tears as a black eye ended his Champions League final after a grim clash with Antonio Rudiger in Chelsea’s 1-0 win.
Star playmaker KDB soon headed down the tunnel after being helped off and replaced by Gabriel Jesus on the hour in Porto.
The midfielder departed gingerly and stooped over seemingly in pain and despair as boss Pep Guardiola consoled him.
Chelsea were deservedly holding onto Kai Havertz’s 42nd counter-attacking finish, following Mason Mount’s delightful through-pass.
And City’s mood dipped even further when KDB was the victim of a heavy challenge from Rudiger that earned the Germany centre-back a booking.
City’s medical staff dashed on, while team-mate Kyle Walker remained kneeling beside De Bruyne throughout the time the Belgian was down being treated.
The way KDB kept his head down as City officials put their hands around him, and especially the fact he then went down the tunnel, sparked early Euro 2020 fitness fears.
Fans on social media were gutted for De Bruyne, although some suggested his display had been well below par.
And City’s anguish was confirmed as Stamford Bridge chief Thomas Tuchel’s masterly tactics kept them out, including for seven minutes of stoppage time.
That gave Chelsea their second Champions League final success, with City yet to scoop Europe’s top domestic prize in football.
And it meant an anguished swansong for City record scorer Sergio Aguero.
The Argentina striker came on for the last 13 minutes in a vain bid to conjure both an equaliser and the perfect finale to his 10-year City career.
Instead, team-mates Aguero and KDB suffered misery for different reasons.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk