Manchester City beat Sevilla on penalties to win the UEFA Super Cup
Manchester City beat Sevilla on penalties (5-4) after they drew 1-1 in Athens. The Treble winners have won their first-ever UEFA Super Cup.
After a 1-1 draw in the regulation time both teams went on to take penalty kicks. However, Sevilla’s Nemanja Gudelj struck his shot against the crossbar to hand City the title.
Man City youngster Cole Palmer shines again
Moreover, this was Man City’s 15th title under Pep Guardiola since he joined in 2016. City also made up for the loss against Arsenal in the Community Shield 10 days ago.
Sevilla took a shock lead in the 25th minute of a match played in stifling heat and humidity through star striker Youssef En-Nesyri’s towering header. The Moroccan got in between Nathan Ake and Josko Gvardiol to score.
However, City equalized in the second half through Cole Palmer’s header in the 63rd minute. The youngster also scored against Arsenal in the Community Shield final, which almost gave them the title.
City goalkeeper Ederson Moraes pulled off two saves from En-Nesyri in the second half, either side of Palmer’s goal, and didn’t need to make a save in the shootout.
Erling Haaland also stayed on the pitch for the whole game, but he was not impactful for the Premier League giants. The Norwegian is not in his best form since Kevin De Bruyne’s injury.
Manchester City beat Sevilla on penalties to clinch maiden UEFA Super Cup
Joy for Guardiola continues as he becomes the second manager after Carlo Ancelotti to win the Super Cup four times. Moreover, the Spaniard is the first to win it with three different teams after doing so at Bayern Munich (2013) and Barcelona (2009, 2011).
With De Bruyne not present, Kyle Walker lifted City’s first-ever UEFA Super Cup as they continue to dominate European football.
This season might be rough for Guardiola and City, early season matches shows they miss creative players like Ilkay Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez. Moreover, early season injury to Kevin De Bruyne makes it worse.
However, youngster Cole Palmer could be the answer, as he scored in both important occasions. The English midfielder can play on the right to replace Riyadh Mahrez.
Haaland, Julian Alvarez, Mateo Kovacic, Jack Grealish and Walker converted City’s penalties, while Lucas Ocampos, Rafa Mir, Ivan Rakitic and Gonzalo Montiel netted for Sevilla.
