Manchester City players celebrate with the trophy after defeating Sevilla in the UEFA Super Cup at Karaiskakis Stadium in Piraeus, Greece, on 16 August 2023. EFE/EPA/PANAGIOTIS MOSCHANDREOU

Man City beat Sevilla 5-4 on penalties to win UEFA Super Cup

Sports Desk, Aug 16 (EFE).- Manchester City needed a penalty shootout Wednesday against Sevilla to claim their first UEFA Super Cup.

Sevilla striker Youssef En-Nesyri (R) in action against Manchester City defender Nathan Ake during the UEFA Super Cup at Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium in Piraeus, Greece, on 16 August 2023. EFE/Juan Carlos Cardenas

The sides were deadlocked 1-1 after 90 minutes plus stoppage time on a hot, humid night in Piraeus and under the new rules, the match went straight to penalties.

Manchester City's Cole Palmer (R) celebrates after scoring against Sevilla during the UEFA Super Cup at Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium in Piraeus, Greece, on 16 August 2023. EFE/Juan Carlos Cardenas

Sevilla goalkeeper Yassine “Bono” Bounou, who made six saves in regular time, failed to stop Erling Haaland, Julian Alvarez, Mateo Kovacic, Jack Grealish, or Kyle Walker.

Jesus Navas (L) of Sevilla FC and Manchester City's Erling Haaland in action during the UEFA Super Cup at Karaiskakis Stadium in Piraeus, Greece, on 16 August 2023. EFE/EPA/GEORGIA PANAGOPOULOU

City’s Ederson was equally ineffective against Lucas Ocampos, Rafa Mir, Ivan Rakitic, and Gonzalo Montiel.

But with the Champions League holders up 5-4, Sevilla’s Nemanja Gudelj hit the cross-bar and the celebrations got under way for Manchester City.

Despite having only 26 percent possession and being outshot 23-8, the seven-time Europa League winners did themselves proud against what many regard as the best club in the world at this moment.

Sevilla were clearly the better team in the first half and they led 1-0 at the break on a tremendous goal by Youssef En-Nesyri, who jumped over Nathan Ake to get his head to a Marcos Acuña cross.

The Moroccan striker had a chance to extend the advantage five minutes into the second half, but his scuffed effort posed no problems for Ederson.

City equalized in the 63rd minute on a header from Cole Palmer and neither team could find a second goal before the final whistle.

EFE

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