Manchester City, on Saturday, defeated Manchester United 7-6 on penalties to win the Community Shield.

The game advanced to penalties, following a 1-1 draw at Wembley Stadium.

Manuel Akanji hit the winning spot-kick after Jonny Evans had sent his effort over the bar, ensuring the champions avoided a second consecutive Wembley loss to the FA Cup winners.

United substitute Alejandro Garnacho appeared to have won it for United in normal time when he latched onto a Bruno Fernandes pass in the 82nd minute, cut inside from the right flank, and fired a clinical finish beyond the reach of a full-stretch Ederson.

City, however, regained their composure and found an equaliser in the penultimate minute of the 90 as Bernardo Silva, another substitute, beat Facundo Pellistri in the air to power a fine header past Andre Onana from Oscar Bobb’s right-wing cross.

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Earlier in a tightly-contested game, James McAtee, starting in City’s midfield along with 19-year-old Nico O’Reilly, had struck the post, while Manchester United had gone agonisingly close to a brilliant team goal when Amad Diallo’s pass across goal just eluded the onrushing Fernandes.

Otherwise, it was United who had the better of the chances, with Marcus Rashford spurning several opportunities and Pep Guardiola seen throwing his water bottle to the floor in frustration at his side’s performance at the end of the first period.

The City boss was smiling at the end to lift the Community Shield, though, with Akanji’s winning penalty coming after an earlier miss from Silva and, from United, a miss from Jadon Sancho as well as Evans.

United will take encouragement from the way they performed and were boosted by news of a deal agreed for Bayern Munich centre-back Matthijs de Ligt shortly before kick-off.

United will kick off the new Premier League season at home to Fulham on Friday night, while Chelsea will welcome City to Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

The Star