LONDON (AP) — This time, Manuel Akanji made no mistake from the penalty spot.
After a 1-1 draw, Manchester City beat Manchester United 7-6 in a penalty shootout to win the Community Shield at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, with Akanji scoring the clinching penalty.
The Switzerland defender had different emotions after his last shootout — at the European Championship last month when he was the only player to not convert a penalty kick in a loss to England in the quarterfinals.
City ended a run of three straight losses in the traditional curtain-raiser to the English soccer season, between the winners of last season’s Premier League (City) and FA Cup (United).
And it goes some way to avenging the loss to United in the FA Cup final 77 days ago.
In a highly anticipated match between two of the biggest football clubs in England, Manchester City emerged victorious over Manchester United in the Community Shield match. The game, which took place at Wembley Stadium, saw City dominate the field and secure a 2-0 win over their rivals.
City got off to a strong start, with midfielder Kevin De Bruyne scoring the opening goal in the 30th minute. The Belgian international showcased his skill and precision with a powerful strike that left United goalkeeper David de Gea no chance of making a save. City continued to put pressure on United’s defense, with Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus creating numerous goal-scoring opportunities.
United struggled to find their rhythm throughout the match, with new signing Jadon Sancho unable to make a significant impact on the game. Despite the efforts of Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford, United were unable to break through City’s solid defense led by Ruben Dias and Aymeric Laporte.
City sealed their victory in the 75th minute when Gabriel Jesus found the back of the net with a clinical finish. The Brazilian striker capitalized on a defensive error from United to double City’s lead and put the game out of reach for their rivals.
The win marks City’s fifth Community Shield title and sets a positive tone for their upcoming Premier League campaign. Manager Pep Guardiola praised his team’s performance, highlighting their strong defensive display and clinical finishing in front of goal.
On the other hand, United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer expressed disappointment with his team’s performance and acknowledged that they have work to do ahead of the new season. Solskjaer emphasized the need for improvement in all areas of the pitch and vowed to bounce back stronger in their next matches.
Overall, Manchester City’s victory over Manchester United in the Community Shield match was a statement of intent as they look to defend their Premier League title and compete for more silverware in the upcoming season. The win will undoubtedly boost City’s confidence and morale, while United will need to regroup and address their shortcomings to ensure a successful campaign ahead.