UEFA Super Cup (2023)

Lore & Background

The match was originally scheduled for the Ak Bars Arena in Kazan, Russia, but was relocated to Piraeus on 25 January 2023 due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This was the second UEFA club competition final hosted at the Karaiskakis Stadium, after the 1971 European Cup Winners' Cup final.

In Their Own Story

The Karaiskakis Stadium in Piraeus was a cauldron of humidity and electric tension as extra time expired with the score locked at 1-1. The air grew heavy with anticipation as the penalty shootout commenced. Rodri, the midfield titan who had orchestrated City's summer success, stepped up to the spot. With the roar of the traveling support swelling behind him, he remained a picture of ice-cold composure. His strike was precise and unerring, sending Sevilla's goalkeeper the wrong way and igniting an eruption from the blue half of the stadium. As the final whistle confirmed the 5-4 shootout victory, the players collapsed in a mix of relief and euphoria, hoisting the trophy that had eluded them for over a century. It was the definitive final piece of a puzzle decades in the making.

Reader's Guide

Manchester City came close to scoring early through Nathan Aké and Jack Grealish, but Sevilla took the lead in the 25th minute when Youssef En-Nesyri headed in a cross from Marcos Acuña. Cole Palmer equalized for City in the 63rd minute with a header from a Rodri cross. The match ended 1–1 after 90 minutes and went to a penalty shoot-out. Both teams scored their first four penalties; City captain Kyle Walker scored their fifth, and Nemanja Gudelj missed for Sevilla by hitting the crossbar, giving City a 5–4 win.

Did You Know?

• The match was originally scheduled for Kazan, Russia, but was moved to Piraeus, Greece, due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
• This was Manchester City's first UEFA Super Cup title.
• The decisive penalty was missed by Sevilla's Nemanja Gudelj, who hit the crossbar.