On August 16, 2023, at 17:45 ET, Pep Guardiola, the manager of Manchester City, added another UEFA Super Cup to his trophy collection. Manchester City secured their first-ever UEFA Super Cup title by winning the penalty shootout (5-4) against Sevilla. The Serbian player Nemanja Gudelj missed the final penalty as the ball hit the crossbar, resulting in Sevilla’s defeat after a 1-1 draw in the final.
Sevilla performed well in the match, putting up a strong fight against the reigning Champions League winners. They took the lead with a fantastic goal from Moroccan forward Youssef En-Nesyri, assisted by Argentine player Marcos Acuña. However, Manchester City equalized with a header from Palmer, assisted by Spanish midfielder Rodri.
In the penalty shootout, Manchester City had a perfect score of five successful penalties, while Sevilla’s Gudelj’s miss sealed their fate. This victory marked Manchester City’s debut in the UEFA Super Cup and extended Sevilla’s curse in the competition, as they have now lost in all seven appearances except for their first win.
Despite missing several key players such as Ilkay Gündogan, Riyad Mahrez, Rubén Dias, Bernardo Silva, and Kevin De Bruyne, Manchester City showcased their depth and resourcefulness. They fielded important players like Spanish international Rodrigo Hernández and Norwegian striker Erling Haaland, along with new signings Josko Gvardiol and Mateo Kovacic.
Sevilla faced speculations about the possible departures of goalkeeper Yassine Bono and left-back Marcos Acuña. However, both players started the match, as coach José Luis Mendilibar emphasized that it would not affect their performance. Sevilla initiated the game with an intention to play boldly and dominate possession against Manchester City, registering the first attempt on goal through Dutch defender Nathan Aké. However, Manchester City responded quickly with a shot from Erik Lamela that missed the target, demonstrating Sevilla’s resilience in defense.
As the game progressed, Manchester City’s patience and set-piece expertise became evident. Sevilla hoped for the halftime whistle, and after three minutes of added time, they successfully reached the break with a 1-0 lead. The second half resumed with Manchester City asserting control and forcing Sevilla to defend deeper. Sevilla missed an opportunity to extend their lead through Lucas Ocampos, who failed to convert En-Nesyri’s excellent counter-attack. The equalizer came from Manchester City, with Rodri delivering a superb cross to Cole Palmer, who headed the ball into the net.
The game entered a new phase after the hour mark, with Sevilla squandering chances through En-Nesyri while Manchester City intensified their attacks. Manchester City dominated possession and created numerous opportunities, but failed to find the winning goal within regular time. As a result, the match proceeded to a penalty shootout, following the UEFA’s new format without extra time.
Manchester City’s players displayed composure and accuracy in their penalties, capitalizing on Gudelj’s miss in Sevilla’s last attempt. This victory not only secured Manchester City their first UEFA Super Cup title but also highlighted their ability to thrive under pressure.
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