Manchester City triumphed in the Community Shield, defeating Manchester United in a tense penalty shootout, marking their first victory in the competition since 2019. Manuel Akanji sealed the win with the decisive eighth penalty after a thrilling match that ended 1-1 following regular time.
The encounter at Wembley was slow to ignite, with Alejandro Garnacho giving United the lead in the 82nd minute with a remarkable goal. However, Bernardo Silva managed to level the score for City with a header just before the final whistle, sending the match into penalties.
In the shootout, the two teams saw only two penalties missed in the first five attempts, with Ederson notably scoring for City. As the shootout proceeded to sudden death, Jonny Evans missed for United, firing his penalty over the bar. Akanji then calmly converted his spot-kick to secure the trophy for Pep Guardiola’s side.
This win ends City’s streak of three consecutive losses in the Community Shield, highlighting their resilience as they bounced back from behind in both regular time and the shootout. Akanji’s performance was particularly satisfying, as he had previously missed a crucial penalty during Switzerland’s elimination from Euro 2024.
The game was a rematch of last season’s FA Cup final, which United won, adding a layer of intensity to the rivalry as City sought to reclaim their glory in the Community Shield. Following this match, City prepares for their upcoming Premier League campaign, while United will look to regroup and focus on their league opener.