Manchester City 1-1 Sevilla (Man City win 5-4 on penalties): Shoot-out drama as Man City win UEFA Super Cup

Manchester City won their first ever UEFA Super Cup after beating Sevilla 5-4 in a penalty shoot-out following a 1-1 draw in the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium in Piraeus.

Erling Haaland celebrates after Man CIty won the penalty shoot-outAFP via Getty Images

Match in brief: 

City, as expected, dominated possession from the start, with first Cole Palmer's long-range strike and then a Nathan Aké header producing two fine early saves from Sevilla goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.

But against the run of play it was the Andalusians who took the lead on 25 minutes. Youssef En-Nesyri rose to meet Marcos Acuña's delicious cross from the left flank with a thumping header into the corner which gave Ederson no chance.

Los Rojiblancos had a glorious chance to double their lead shortly after half-time as Lucas Ocampos galloped down the left on the counterattack and played in En-Nesyri, but Ederson was equal to the forward's close-range effort.

Yousseff En-Nesyri gave Sevilla the lead in the first halfUEFA via Getty Images

Jose Luis Mendilibar's side were left to rue that miss when City equalised just after the half an hour mark, with Palmer guiding an intelligent looping header over Bounou after being picked out by Rodri.

En-Nesyri was put through for yet another opportunity just moments after the goal, but once again he was foiled by Ederson from a tight angle when one-on-one.

From then on it was almost constant City pressure, and the lively Palmer forced Bounou into another good save with a curling effort that was tipped away as Pep Guardiola's outfit began to turn the screw.

But they were unable to find a second goal, and it was left for a penalty shoot-out to decide the outcome. After the first nine penalties were converted Sevilla defender Nemanja Gudelj was the unfortunate man as his effort hit the bar to give City victory.

PlayStation® Player of the Match: Cole Palmer (Man City)

Matthew Howarth, Man City reporter

City were made to work incredibly hard to secure their first silverware of the campaign. Guardiola’s team were far from their best, creating precious little in the second half until Palmer’s well-placed header restored parity. The youngster’s effort sparked them back into life, however, and they had opportunities to complete the turnaround in normal time. The 2022/23 treble winners were beaten on penalties by Arsenal in the FA Community Shield earlier in August but triumphed in the shoot-out on this occasion to claim the trophy.

Graham Hunter, Sevilla reporter

Sevilla’s beautiful, passionate anthem, roared out before every single one of their matches, talks of ‘ancient languages’ celebrating the birth of their club. Well, there’s an ancient rule in football too. Do not, under any circumstances, squander a series of big goal chances - especially against a powerful rival. This was a night which showed Mendilibar that his team could match the European champions. Attitude, strategy, self-belief. But notwithstanding the quality of his goal En-Nesyri unfortunately missed gilt-edged chances to seal this final.

Reaction

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Cole Palmer headed in Man City's equaliserUEFA via Getty Images

Key stats

• City have become the 25th club to lift the trophy and the first new winners since Bayern in 2013 – when they were coached by Guardiola.
• Sevilla are now on a six-game Super Cup losing streak after beating Barcelona 3-0 on their debut in 2006.
• City have lost only one of their last 12 UEFA club competition matches against Spanish clubs (W9 D2) and have just one defeat in their last 19 European matches.
• The UEFA Super Cup has been won by a Spanish coach for the tenth time. Only Italian coaches (12) have won more titles.

Line-ups

Man City: Ederson; Walker, Akanji, Gvardiol, Aké; Rodri, Kovačić; Foden, Palmer (Álvarez 85), Grealish; Haaland

Sevilla: Bounou; Jesús Navas (Montiel 83), Badé, Gudelj, Acuña; Jordán, Rakitić; Ocampos, Óliver Torres (Juanlu 74), Lamela (Suso 90+3); En-Nesyri (Rafa Mir 90+3)

What's next?

Manchester City are back in Premier League action on Saturday August 19 as they host fellow UEFA Champions League 2023/24 qualifiers Newcastle United. Sevilla will be hoping to get their first win of their new La Liga campaign when they travel to Alavés on Monday August 21.

Both sides will be eagerly anticipating the UEFA Champions League group stage draw, which takes place on Thursday 31 August.