Man City wins the Community Shield over Man United thanks to penalties

The match ended in a draw, but the Community Shield at Wembley on Saturday went to the Premier League champions Manchester City, who defeated FA Cup winners Manchester United 7-6 on penalties.

After Alejandro Garnacho gave United the lead after 82 minutes, Erik ten Hag’s team appeared set to duplicate their thrilling FA Cup final triumph over City. However, City player Bernardo Silva scored a minute later to force extra time and penalties.

Following Silva’s previous mistake in the shootout, Manuel Akanji, a defender for City, hit the game-winning spot shot. Both Jadon Sancho, the United winger, and center defender Jonny Evans missed their penalty kick attempts in the shootout.

After the break, Bruno Fernandes, the captain of United, appeared to have given them the lead when he brilliantly finished a long-range shot beyond goalkeeper Ederson, but the attempt was ruled offside.

The game went to a shootout after Silva converted Oscar Bobb’s shot from close range after substitute Garnacho broke through the City defense.

After losses to Leicester City in 2021, Liverpool in 2022, and Arsenal in the previous season, City won the trophy for the first time since 2019 to snap a losing streak in Community Shield games.

“It is nice to start the season with a championship and I liked the season versus our opponent in Manchester. Manager of City Pep Guardiola told ITV, “We are really pleased.”

“After adjustments, they are among the world’s best teams; we lost a lot of balls.” Controlling them is so risky. However, we succeeded in the end.

Playing this game is enjoyable as it indicates that you were successful in the previous season… It is okay to aim to win it the next game instead of winning the Premier League right now. What we need to accomplish is this.”

Guardiola started with an unorthodox lineup that had four academy players instead of the starting lineup that included City’s England stars Phil Foden, Kyle Walker, and John Stones as well as Spain’s Rodri.

Young James McAtee had the game’s first chance after United’s careless play gave him a strike on the post, but their team eventually controlled possession after a sluggish start.

Hard outcome to accept. Everyone can sense it when you do well and when you don’t. Your gut aches from it. We must hurt, and you must experience agony. Ten Hag told ITV, “We need to bring this mentality into the league.”

We succeeded in matching Man City on an equal footing… We can take many positives from tonight since we created opportunities, applied pressure when in control of the ball, and had several excellent opportunities.”

While United opens the season at home against Fulham on Friday, City starts their chase for a fifth straight Premier League title at Chelsea on August 18.