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Manchester City won their first UEFA Super Cup after clinching the Champions League, Premier League, and FA Cup last season.
With the match against Sevilla tied (1-1) after 90 minutes, a penalty shootout was needed to determine the winner. The citizens triumphed 5-4, with Gudelj, a former Sporting player, missing the fifth and decisive penalty.
In a high-quality final played under scorching 30-degree heat in Athens, the Spanish team, accustomed to this competition due to their numerous Europa League titles, took the lead at the 25th minute with an unstoppable header by El Nesyri. This came after a precise wide cross from Marcus Acuña, also a former Sporting player.
However, Acuña would later miss Cole Palmer (what a player!), who elegantly headed in the equalizer in the 63rd minute. The Seville team’s dominance since halftime was shattered.
Manchester City’s pressure was evident until the end of the game, and opportunities for a 2-1 lead followed, but the score remained unchanged.
The English team smiled at the end of the penalty shootout, converting all of their kicks (Haaland, Julián Álvarez, Kovacic, Grealish, and Kyle Walker) to secure their first Super Cup title. This is the fourth Super Cup title for Guardiola, with two won with Barcelona (2009 and 2011) and one with Bayern Munich (2013).
Sevilla’s players were left disappointed (Ocampos, Rafa Mir, Rakitic, and Montiel converted their penalties; Gudelj, as mentioned, missed his), losing this trophy for the sixth time. In fact, out of seven appearances, they have only won it once, in their first appearance in 2006, while losing in 2007, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2020, and now in 2023.