AFP
Manchester City held their nerve to beat Sevilla 5-4 on penalties and win the UEFA Super Cup for the primary time of their historical past after an enthralling recreation ended 1-1 after 90 minutes.
The first 9 spot-kicks of the shootout have been all transformed however Serbian defender Nemanja Gudelj struck his penalty towards the crossbar handy victory to City, who misplaced on penalties to Arsenal in England’s Community Shield 10 days in the past.
Youssef En-Nesyri had given Europa League winners Sevilla the lead with a towering header within the twenty fifth minute however City equalised by a header from 21-year-old Cole Palmer within the 63rd minute.
It was a thrilling match performed in scorching warmth and humidity on the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium as an obstinate Sevilla precipitated many issues for a City defence which was usually uncovered.
Sevilla made final season’s Champions League winners uncomfortable with aggressive excessive urgent and En-Nesyri wasted a number of alternatives earlier than he scored following a counter-attack.
Marcos Acuna lifted in a superb cross from the left to the Morocco striker who climbed increased than Nathan Ake and Josko Gvardiol to unleash a robust header previous goalkeeper Ederson.
Erik Lamela wasted one other good Sevilla probability earlier than Manchester City began to take management of the match, ending the primary half strongly as Erling Haaland and Mateo Kovacic simply didn’t convert crosses from Phil Foden and Jack Grealish.
Sevilla began the second half strongly, nonetheless, and En- Nesyri missed a sitter following a superb counter-attack led by Lucas Ocampos.
The Morocco striker wasted one other wonderful alternative earlier than Rodri discovered Palmer ghosting in behind the defence and he produced a medical header which arched over goalkeeper Yassine Bounou and into the online.
Nathan Ake might have gained it for City in added time however his stooping header from 5 yards was brilliantly saved by Bounou, who virtually stopped Kyle Walker’s spot-kick within the shootout earlier than Gudelj hit the bar.
“It was always going to be a tough game. The lads put in a good performance. We have to be more clinical but we got the job done,” City captain Walker instructed TNT Sports.
“If anyone played with me they know I don’t like taking penalties because I don’t like letting people down if I miss. Pep put me in at five. (I wanted to) show leadership. Luckily it went in and was the winning one.”
