1-1 in the 89th minute, Pep Guardiola’s team defeated rivals Man Utd 7-6 in a penalty shootout to win the first title of the 2024-2025 season.

*Scorers: Bernardo Silva 89′ – Garnacho 82′.

As the number one team in England for many years, Man City often do not play well in the Community Shield – the match that marks the beginning of a new season. They lost this match in the last three seasons, and this time they have to face Man Utd. The Old Trafford team has the most achievements in the Community Shield with 21 victories, including the last four appearances.

Despite that, coach Guardiola still fielded many young players, including Nico O’Reilly, who made his first appearance for the first team, and James McAtee, who was loaned to Sheffield United for the past two seasons.

However, Man City still dominated the first half. Their ability to create breakthroughs on both wings was great with the speed and individual skills of Jeremy Doku, Rico Lewis and Oscar Bobb. However, the players of both teams seemed to have not found their best feeling yet. Many wrong passes and bad handling were made, making the first stage of the match not very professional.

Man City players celebrate with the silver plate for the team that won the Community Shield. Photo: FA

After more than 20 minutes, the audience at Wembley Stadium witnessed the “money” plays. Bobb broke through and shot over the bar, before McAtee curled the ball against the post of Andre Onana’s goal. Man Utd responded with two neat central combinations. Amad Diallo ran down Ederson but passed the ball instead of shooting. A few minutes later, Marcus Rashford had the ball in an open space but curled the ball in with poor accuracy.

The two teams played more aggressively after the break. Man Utd once put the ball in Ederson’s net thanks to a superb long-range shot from Bruno Fernandes. However, the Portuguese midfielder was caught offside when receiving a through ball from Lisandro Martinez.

After that, the two coaches continuously adjusted their personnel. Guardiola brought in new signing Savinho, who played energetically and added creativity to Man City’s attack, while Man Utd’s counter-attacks became more dangerous with the presence of Alejandro Garnacho.

In the 75th minute, Man Utd created the best chance of the match. Garnacho ran up the right wing, before crossing, putting Rashford one-on-one with goalkeeper Ederson. Man City’s defense had pushed up too high and only Manuel Akanji was left facing two Man Utd players. However, Rashford’s one-touch shot hit the post. Garnacho covered his face with his shirt in regret. Outside the field, Ten Hag sat taking notes with a worried face.

The Dutch coach’s tension was somewhat relieved in the 82nd minute, when Garnacho performed a solo performance to put Man Utd ahead. The striker, who had just won the Copa America with Argentina, dribbled from the right wing into the middle, bypassing Josko Gvardiol before finishing with his left foot into the near corner, leaving Ederson unable to reach the ball.

Garnacho opened the scoring for Man Utd. Photo: FA

However, United only held on to their lead for seven minutes. Oscar Bobb, City’s most in-form player on the pre-season tour, dribbled past Martinez on the right before curling a cross into the far post. Substitute Bernardo Silva came on with experience, beat Facundo Pellistri in the air and headed past Onana.

The 1-1 draw saw the two teams decide the winner by penalty shootout rather than extra time. In this series, Man Utd had the advantage when Fernandes succeeded, while Bernardo missed in the first round. Diogo Dalot and Garnacho later completed their tasks, while Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland both defeated Onana despite the Man Utd goalkeeper using psychological tricks.

Man City players rejoice after winning the penalty shootout. Photo: Apl

Cruelty struck Man Utd in the fourth round. Jadon Sancho, who had a falling out with Ten Hag last season and was loaned out, missed. Sancho is said to have made up with Ten Hag and been given a chance to return. But this miss could bring his future back into question.

Taking advantage of their opponents’ mistakes, Man City equalized thanks to Savinho’s shot. The fifth round ended in a draw with goalkeeper Ederson’s shot. After that, each side had three more shots. Matheus Nunes, Ruben Dias and Akanji for Man City were all successful. As for Man Utd, only Scott McTominay and Martinez completed their task, before veteran Jonny Evans shot high into the sky in the eighth round.

In about a week, Man City will open the 2024-2025 Premier League season with an away trip to Chelsea, while Man Utd host Fulham.