English Premier League Champions Manchester City won the 2023 UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday, beating Spanish side Sevilla in a penalty shootout in Athens.
The game had finished 1-1 after 90 minutes, with Morocco forward Youssef En-Nesyri who headed Europa League holders Sevilla in front midway through the first half.
The ding dong affair continue into the restart before Cole Palmer leveled for the triple Champions City on 18 minutes during half-time when he scored his second goal of the season.
City then piled on the pressure in the final 25 minutes but were thwarted by an inspired Yassine Bounou, aka Bono, who completed six saves during regular time.
Extra time had been played in 11 previous UEFA Super Cup finals but the rules have since changed, so Wednesday’s game went straight into penalties.
Bono was unable to save any of City’s five spot-kicks, although he came close to denying Kyle Walker. Erling Haaland, Julian Alvarez, Mateo Kovacic and Jack Grealish also successfully converted their efforts from 12 yards.
Lucas Ocampos, Rafa Mir, Ivan Rakitic and Gonzalo Montiel all netted for Sevilla.
But Nemanja Gudelj struck the crossbar from the 10th penalty of the shootout, sparking wild celebrations among the City players and staff.
City have now won three European trophies in their 143-year history, having previously lifted the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup in 1970 before winning last season’s Champions League.
Man City also won three trophies in the 2022/2023 football season.