Manchester City are Community Shield winners once again after defeat each of the last three years, after erasing a very late 1-0 deficit to rivals Manchester United and winning the penalty shootout 7-6 in eight rounds.
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The Red Devils were the ones celebrating the last time these sides met at Wembley Stadium, for the FA Cup final back in May, and Erik ten Hag might have even thought his side was going to get another one over on (a group of players loosely resembling) the four-time reigning Premier League champions after Alejandro Garnacho scored a fantastic solo goal in the 82nd minute. Alas, Bernardo Silva had other ideas as he popped up in the right spot at the right time to equalize in the 89th.
Silva was then denied by Andre Onana in the 1st round of the shootout, but Ederson made up for it by denying Jadon Sancho in round 4 before the sides traded seven straight makes heading into the 8th round. Jonny Evans blazed his over the crossbar and Manuel Akanji managed to keep his just under to win it.
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Manchester City vs Manchester United final score: 1-1 (7-6 PKs)
Goalscorers: Alejandro Garnacho (82'), Bernardo Silva (89')
Man City beat Man United in penalty shootout, 7-6
- Bruno Fernandes SCORES (0-1)
- Bernardo Silva SAVED (0-1)
- Diogo Dalot SCORES (1-1)
- Kevin De Bruyne SCORES (1-2)
- Alejandro Garnacho SCORES (1-3)
- Erling Haaland SCORES (2-3)
- Jadon Sancho SAVED (2-3)
- Savio SCORES (3-3)
- Casemiro SCORES (3-4)
- Ederson SCORES (4-4)
- Scott McTominay SCORES (4-5)
- Matheus Nunes SCORES (5-5)
- Lisandro Martinez SCORES (5-6)
- Ruben Dias SCORES (6-6)
- Jonny Evans MISSES (6-6)
- Manuel Akanji SCORES (7-6)
Speaking of making it too easy for your opponent, about four Man United players fell asleep as Bernardo Silva weaved his way in on goal and finished six yards out in the 89th minute.
Alejandro Garnacho enjoyed a breakout 2023-24 season with Manchester United, and the 20-year-old Argentine looks set to build on that in 2024-25. United stretched City the width of the field and played right through the space they had created.
That’s a pass that Bruno Fernandes could hit with one leg tied behind his back, while blindfolded. Too easy for Man United.
GARNACHO GIVES MAN UNITED THE LEAD! WHAT A FINISH 👏 pic.twitter.com/AOjJpViE3U
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) August 10, 2024
All it took was one pass and one cross for Man Untied to play around Man City down the right side. Alejandro Garnacho had acres of green grass in front of him and could have gone for goal himself but wisely played a low cross behind the defense and found Marcus Rashford at the back post. First-time, left-footed, off the outside of the post.
A sensational Bruno Fernandes strike from outside the box has been taken off the board. The Portuguese playmaker latched onto Lisandro Martinez’s through ball before cutting inside and sending a high, looping curler just inside the far post and under the crossbar. So good it should have counted anyway.
Marcus Rashford had Manchester United’s best chance of the first half but put it wide of the far post. Oscarr Bobb put City’s best look over the crossbar.
Manchester City had a quick three shots in the 22nd, 24th and 25th minutes, but the last few minutes have seen Manchester United pin them in just a bit, leading to their first shot of the game when Amad Diallo danced past two defenders and fired wide of the far post.
Lots of possession (58-42 for Manchester City) and passing (more than 150 between them already), but both sides are surely just building more anticipation for the first shot, shot on target and goal of the new season.
Last 10 meetings (all competitions)
- Man City wins: 7 wins, including 2023 FA Cup final
- Man United wins: 3, including 2024 FA Cup final
- Draws: 0
Premier League meetings this season
- December 14, at Etihad Stadium
- April 5, at Old Trafford
Onana - Dalot, Maguire, Evans, Martinez - Casemiro, Mainoo, Mount - Amad, Rashford, Fernandes
In the red corner at Wembley... 🔴🥊#MUFC || #CommunityShield
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 10, 2024
Ederson - Lewis, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol - Kovacic, O’Reilly, McAtee - Bobb, Doku - Haaland
Your City side at Wembley! 🩵
— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 10, 2024
XI | Ederson, Lewis, Akanji, Dias (C), Gvardiol, Kovacic, O’Reilly, McAtee, Bobb, Doku, Haaland
SUBS | Ortega Moreno, Carson, Phillips, Ake, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Savinho, Nunes, Kabore#ManCity | @etihad pic.twitter.com/TMSuFfhOuL