UEFA Super Cup: Manchester City collect another trophy beating wasteful Sevilla

UEFA Super Cup: Manchester City collect another trophy beating wasteful Sevilla

Faruq Ibrahim 22:17 - 16.08.2023

Pep Guardiola and Manchester City have have won the UEFA Super Cup by defeating Sevilla in penalty shootouts.

After a pulsating 90 minutes in which both teams got on the scoresheet, but could not find the winner, It was Manchester City who are crowned the UEFA Super Cup champions via penalty shootouts.

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The Georgios Karaiskakis stadium in Greece was the location of the meeting of champions, which needed the uncertainties of a penalty shootout for a winner to emerge. 

How it happened

The Champions League winner looked to dominate possession from the start of the game, but they struggled to break down Sevilla's deep block. 

The Europa League champions, on the other hand, were content with exploiting the space left behind the sojourning Manchester City defence.

It was Sevilla who scored the opening goal of the game, thanks to an incredible leap by Youssef En-Nesyri. Guardiola's side pressed for an equaliser throughout the rest of the half but struggled to break down their opponents. 

Manchester started the second-half in control but soon got sloppy again. It was turnover after turnover, and Ocampos made the most in transitions, but in two instances, En Nesyri finished poorly, Sparing Manchester City's blushes.  

Sevilla continued to look dangerous in transitions but failed to grab a second. Manchester City soon punished their profligacy in the 63rd minute when Cole Palmer headed in a clipped pass from Rodri. 

Manchester City, buoyed by the equaliser, pushed for a winner, but the Rojiblancos held on, forcing penalty shootouts. 

The shootout 

Manchester City had the first attempt, and Erling Haaland made no mistake, burying the ball at the back of the net. Ocampos stepped up for Sevilla, and like the Norwegian before him, he slid the ball coolly in the opposite direction of the goalkeeper.

Manchester City went perfect with their next four attempts. Sevilla went close too, but for a blemish at the end when a Nemanja Gudelj strike crashed against the top bar. The miss saw the Champions League winners win the shootout 5-4, consequently, the tie.

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