Manchester Metropolis beat Sevilla in a 5-4 penalty shootout following recreation that resulted in a 1-1 draw after regulation time.
Manchester Metropolis held their nerve to beat Sevilla 5-4 in a penalty shootout and win the UEFA Tremendous Cup for the primary time of their historical past after an enthralling recreation ended 1-1 after 90 minutes.
The primary 9 spot-kicks of the shootout had been all transformed on Wednesday however Sevilla defender Nemanja Gudelj struck his penalty towards the crossbar at hand victory to Man Metropolis, who lost on penalties to Arsenal in England’s Community Shield 10 days in the past.
It was the fifteenth trophy received by Manchester Metropolis underneath supervisor Pep Guardiola’s reign which began in 2016 and made up for the current loss to Arsenal within the Group Protect.
“The supervisor made it so clear to us earlier than the sport how a lot he needs to win this trophy,” Metropolis midfielder Jack Grealish stated.
“You wish to win the whole lot anyway, however that gave us extra of an urge. This membership has by no means received it. It’s a superb feeling,” he stated.
Metropolis’s Kyle Walker lifted the cup amid ticker tape and chants of “Champions” by his teammates on the stage in the midst of the sphere.
“It’s actually irritating for us, however I’m happy with my teammates,” Sevilla ahead Erik Lamela stated after the match. “The group did a very good job, we ran quite a bit towards a really, excellent group.”
Youssef En-Nesyri had given the Europa League winners Sevilla the lead with a towering header within the twenty fifth minute however Man Metropolis equalised via a header from 21-year-old Cole Palmer within the 63rd minute.
It was an thrilling match performed in scorching warmth and humidity on the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium in Athens, Greece, as an obstinate Sevilla prompted many issues for a Metropolis defence which was typically uncovered.
Sevilla made last season’s Champions League winners uncomfortable with aggressive excessive urgent and En-Nesyri wasted a number of alternatives earlier than he scored following a counterattack.
Marcos Acuna lifted in a superb cross from the left to the Morocco striker who climbed greater than Nathan Ake and Josko Gvardiol to unleash a strong header previous goalkeeper Ederson.
Erik Lamela wasted one other good Sevilla likelihood earlier than Manchester Metropolis began to take management of the match, ending the primary half strongly as Erling Haaland and Mateo Kovacic simply did not convert crosses from Phil Foden and Jack Grealish.
Sevilla began the second half strongly, nonetheless, and En-Nesyri missed a sitter following a superb counterattack led by Lucas Ocampos. The Morocco striker wasted one other wonderful alternative earlier than Rodri discovered Palmer ghosting in behind the defence and he produced a scientific header which arched over goalkeeper Yassine Bounou and into the online.
Nathan Ake might have received it for Metropolis in added time however his stooping header from 5 yards was brilliantly saved by Bounou, who nearly stopped Kyle Walker’s spot-kick within the shootout earlier than Gudelj hit the bar.
“It was at all times going to be a troublesome recreation. The lads put in a very good efficiency. We’ve to be extra scientific however we acquired the job accomplished,” Manchester Metropolis captain Walker informed TNT Sports activities.
“If anybody performed with me they know I don’t like taking penalties as a result of I don’t like letting individuals down if I miss. Pep put me in at 5. [I wanted to] present management. Fortunately, it went in and was the successful one,” he stated.
Ought to Manchester Metropolis now win the Membership World Cup in December, it will full Guardiola’s honours listing since arriving in England, which already includes five Premier League titles, 4 League Cups, two FA Cups and the membership’s first Champions League.
“We’re actually happy for the membership to win this,” Guardiola stated on Wednesday. “We miss only one to complete the total circle and have all of the titles we are able to have.”
