First UEFA Super Cup won by Manchester City over Sevilla

Despite an enthralling game ending 1-1 after 90 minutes, Manchester City held their nerve to beat Sevilla 5-4 in a penalty shootout and win the UEFA Super Cup for the first time in their history.

After nine spot-kicks were converted on Wednesday, Sevilla defender Nemanja Gudelj’s penalty hit the crossbar, handing victory to Man City, who drew with Arsenal on penalties in the Community Shield 10 days earlier.

It was Manchester City’s 15th trophy under Pep Guardiola’s reign, which began in 2016, and made up for its recent loss to Arsenal in the Community Shield.

City midfielder Jack Grealish said the manager made it clear before the game how much he wanted to win the trophy.

The club has never won it. It’s a great feeling,” he said. “You want to win everything anyway, but that gave us an extra drive.

The cup was lifted by City’s Kyle Walker amid ticker tape and chants of “Champions” from his teammates.

“It’s really frustrating for us, but I’m proud of my teammates,” Sevilla forward Erik Lamela said after the match. “We ran a lot against a very, very good team.”

In the 25th minute, Youssef En-Nesyri gave Sevilla the lead with a towering header, but Man City equalized in the 63rd minute through Cole Palmer.

The match was played in scorching heat and humidity at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium in Athens, Greece, as an obstinate Sevilla caused many problems for City’s defence.

Last season’s Champions League winners were made uncomfortable by Sevilla’s aggressive high pressing and En-Nesyri wasted several chances before scoring on a counterattack.

A superb cross from Marcos Acuna found the Moroccan striker, who climbed higher than Nathan Ake and Josko Gvardiol to unleash a powerful header past Ederson.

Before Manchester City took control of the match, Erik Lamela wasted another good chance for Sevilla, as Mateo Kovacic and Erling Haaland just failed to convert crosses from Phil Foden and Jack Grealish.

After a brilliant counterattack led by Lucas Ocampos, En-Nesyri missed a sitter as Sevilla started the second half strongly. Rodri found Palmer ghosting in behind the defence and he scored a clinical header that arched over Yassine Bounou and into the net, but the Moroccan striker wasted another golden opportunity.

In added time, Nathan Ake’s stooping header from five yards was brilliantly saved by Bounou, who also almost stopped Kyle Walker’s spot-kick in the shootout.

Walker told TNT Sports, “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.”

I don’t like penalties because I don’t like let people down if I miss. Pep put me in at five to show leadership. Luckily, it went in and it won,” he explained.

It would complete Guardiola’s honours list since arriving in England, which already includes five Premier League titles, four League Cups, two FA Cups, and Manchester City’s first Champions League title.

The club is delighted to have won this, Guardiola said on Wednesday. “We just need one title to complete the circle and have all the titles we can have.”