Man City Defeat Sevilla on Penalties to Win UEFA Super Cup
Man City won on penalties after a 1-1 draw in normal time against Sevilla, thereby claiming their first-ever UEFA Super Cup.
Man City won their fourth trophy of 2023 after defeating Sevilla in the UEFA Super Cup final, which is played between the Champions League and Europa League winners. Earlier, Pep Guardiola’s team completed a historic treble by winning the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League.
10 days ago, Man City painfully missed out on a fourth trophy when they were pegged back by Arsenal in injury time of the Community Shield, before losing on penalties. In the match just played at Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium in Greece, Man City again went to penalties, but this time they prevailed.
En-Nesyri put Sevilla ahead in the 25th minute before Man City found an equalizer in the 63rd through Palmer. With the scores still level after 90 minutes, the two teams went to a penalty shootout. All 5 of Man City’s takers scored, while on the Sevilla side, Gudelj missed the decisive final kick to hand Man City a 5-4 win and the trophy.
Man City’s victory was fully deserved. The reigning champions dominated their opponents for most of the match, enjoying 71% possession and getting off 23 shots. Sevilla had just 29% of the ball and managed only 8 shots.
After the kickoff, Man City controlled the game and crafted chances to test the Sevilla goal. However, efforts from Ake and Grealish were kept out by Bounou. Against the run of play in the 25th minute, Acuna delivered an accurate cross from the left wing and En Nesyri rose highest to head home.
Big-money Man City signing Gvardiol failed to mark his man properly, allowing the Sevilla striker to get across him and head home from close range.
After conceding, Man City upped the pressure in search of an equalizer but faced great difficulty against Sevilla’s stubborn defense. The Spanish side defended deep and broke quickly on the counter, creating some good chances to extend their lead.
In the 50th minute, Sevilla countered rapidly and teed up En Nesyri just outside the box. With only Ederson to beat, the striker scuffed his shot tamely into the keeper’s hands.
Sevilla were made to pay for those missed chances in the 63rd minute. Rodri held up play for Palmer to head home from 5 yards out, just inside the right post. Bounou had no chance.
The equalizer settled Man City back into their rhythm. For the remainder of the match, Bounou faced even greater pressure, making several fine saves to keep his team in the game.
After a 1-1 draw over 90 minutes, it went to penalties. For Man City, Haaland, Alvarez, Kovacic, Grealish, and Walker all scored. Ocampos, Mir, Rakitic, and Montiel were successful for Sevilla, but Gudelj missed their final attempt to hand Man City a 5-4 shootout victory.
Lineups:
Man City (4-1-4-1): Ederson 8; Walker 5.5, Akanji 5, Ake 6.5, Gvardiol 6; Rodri 6.5; Palmer 7 (Alvarez 85), Foden 6, Kovacic 6, Grealish 6.5; Haaland 5.
Goal: Palmer 63
Sevilla (4-2-3-1): Bounou 6.5; Navas 6 (Montiel 83), Bade 7, Gudelj 6, Acuna 6.5; Jordan 6.5, Rakitic 7; Ocampos 7.5, Torres 6 (Juanlu 74, 6), Lamela 6.5 (Suso 90+4); En Nesyri 6 (Mir 90+4).
Goal: En-Nesyri 25
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