Manchester City exacted revenge on Manchester United by securing a 7-6 victory on penalties in the Community Shield on Saturday, following a dramatic 1-1 draw at Wembley Stadium. This victory allowed City to avenge their earlier FA Cup final defeat against their city rivals.
The match, largely uneventful for much of its duration, sprang to life in the final 10 minutes. United substitute Alejandro Garnacho seemed poised to be the hero, breaking the deadlock in the 82nd minute.
Garnacho latched onto a precise pass from Bruno Fernandes, cutting inside from the right flank before unleashing a clinical shot that left City goalkeeper Ederson with no chance.
However, Manchester City, demonstrating their resilience and determination, managed to find an equalizer in the dying moments of regular time. Substitute Bernardo Silva rose above United’s Facundo Pellistri to meet Oscar Bobb’s perfectly placed right-wing cross, directing a powerful header past Andre Onana to level the score.
With the match ending 1-1 after 90 minutes, the outcome was decided by a tense penalty shootout. Both teams showed nerves of steel, but it was City who ultimately triumphed.
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The shootout reached sudden death, where United’s Jonny Evans saw his effort go over the bar, handing City the chance to seal the win. Manuel Akanji stepped up and coolly converted his spot-kick, ensuring that City avoided a second consecutive Wembley defeat to their cross-town rivals.
In the post-match press conference, United manager Erik ten Hag reflected on the disappointment of the loss, emphasizing the importance of using the pain as motivation for the upcoming Premier League season. “When the performance is right, and you still lose, it creates a deep hurt. This feeling in your stomach, this pain—we have to use it, channel it, and let it fuel our belief as we head into the league campaign,” ten Hag remarked.
On the other side, City manager Pep Guardiola expressed his satisfaction with starting the season on a high note by adding another trophy to their collection.
“Winning a title at the start of the season is always a positive sign. We’re very pleased with the result. It’s a reminder of our success last season and a great way to set the tone for the new campaign. But our focus remains on taking it one game at a time. The target isn’t to win the Premier League right now; it’s simply to prepare for the next game and try to win it,” Guardiola stated.
With this victory, Manchester City not only lifted the Community Shield but also sent a strong message as they prepare for the challenges of the new season.