Manchester City needed penalties to beat Europa League winners Sevilla in their UEFA Super Cup tie in Greece.
Pep Guardiola’s side came back from a goal down to play a 1-1 draw with Sevilla and then force penalties.
After both teams had successfully converted four penalties each, captain Kyle Walker scored City’s fifth. However, Sevilla midfielder Nemanja Gudelj hit his kick against the crossbar after sending Ederson the wrong way.
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Moroccan striker Youssef En-Nesyri headed the Spanish club ahead in the 25th minute, beating Nathan Ake to grab his goal.
City dominated for long spells with the Citizens having 78% of the possession at halftime. Jack Grealish, Phil Foden, Mateo Kovacic and Cole Palmer probed the area constantly but could not find that needed equaliser.
At the resumption of the second period, City picked up from where they left off.
En-Nesyri had a glorious opportunity to double the lead after fine play by Lucas Ocampos off a blistering counterattack.
However, En-Nesyri squandered the chance when left one-on-one with Ederson. The Brazilian made a great save with his leg.
City’s persistence finally paid off when, in the 63rd minute, an incisive cross into the box was met by Cole Palmer. The 21-year-old attacker headed brilliantly past Yassine Bounou to make it 1-1.
Both teams had chances to take the lead after then, but failed to make them count. Most notable culprit was En-Nesyri who missed another one-on-one situation no thanks to Ederson’s fantastic save.
After the match ended, both teams went straight to penalties where Manchester City emerged winners of the UEFA Super Cup.
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Erling Haaland, Julian Alvarez, Kovacic, Grealish and Walker all converted their kicks. Lucas Ocampos, Rafa Mir, Ivan Rakitic and Gonzalo Montiel all scored their penalties for Sevilla before Gudelj missed.
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