A mishap from seasoned Manchester United player, Jonny Evans, presented Manchester City with the Community Shield following a tense penalty shoot-out. Evans missed his penalty shot, presenting an opportunity for Manuel Akanji to score the decisive goal, earning Pep Guardiola’s team their first trophy of the season.
Manchester United thought they had the upper hand when Alejandro Garnacho reproduced his FA Cup final scoring skills from just 77 days ago, with less than ten minutes left on the clock. However, Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva levelled the score in the dying moments with a head goal, sending the game into penalties.
The shoot-out saw Silva’s shot saved by Andre Onana, and despite Jadon Sancho’s return to United after a fallout with Erik Ten Hag, his shot was blocked by Ederson. Then came the fateful moment when Evans hit the ball over the bar on United’s eighth penalty, clearing the way for Akanji to achieve a win for City with a 7-6 score.
Manchester City was without several key players from England’s line-up in the Euro 2024 finals such as Phil Foden, Kyle Walker, John Stones, and the victorious Spanish midfielder Rodri. Nevertheless, Guardiola seemed to be taking the match seriously, as evidenced by his heated exchange with coaching staff before retreating into the tunnel during half-time.
Notable omissions for the game were Jack Grealish, plus Kevin De Bruyne and Silva who started from the bench. Hence, it was up to their replacements to provide the early match excitement. Jeremy Doku showed the first signs of offensive aggression, passing the ball through Diogo Dalot’s legs then following with a low cross just behind the newcomer Nico O’Reilly. James McAtee got closer to scoring after being set up by Oscar Bobb. His shot went around Onana only to rebound off the far post.
In a match filled with thrill and tension, United’s Mason Mount and Bruno Fernandes made the most forward pushes, while Marcus Rashford assumed position on the left wing. Prior to the half-hour mark, a potential goal was orchestrated by Amad Diallo’s attempt which missed the mark. Ten Hag’s squad could have drawn first blood, had Diallo and Casemiro’s swift play culminated in a goal by Mount.
Rashford, in an attempt to draw the eyes of interim national boss Lee Carsley left out of England’s team in Germany, missed a golden opportunity when Casemiro passed him an unguarded shot on the left. His return, however, was weak and missed the goal.
Eight minutes into the second half, United believed they had broken the deadlock after Lisandro Martinez fed Fernandes the ball, and he successfully curved it over Ederson into the goal. Unfortunately Fernandes, the Portuguese star, was declared offside.
This bustling match saw the inclusion of many substitutes for both teams, among which were new faces Toby Collyer from United’s midfield and City’s Savinho, their new £30 million Brazilian summer acquisition.
An opportune moment arrived for Rashford when Garnacho set him up perfectly to take a shot. Unfortunately, his rushed attempt with his left foot merely thudded against the post. However, United soon had their moment of glory when Fernandes’ cross-goal pass was met by Garnacho’s masterful finish, 9 minutes before conclusion.
Just as it seemed United had the game in the bag, City retaliated in the dying minutes. Bobb whipped a cross into the box and Bernardo Silva outjumped Facundo Pellestri to direct the equaliser home, thus sending the match to penalties.