Connect with us

Nigeria Premier League

Man City clinch Super Cup in tense penalty shootout

In a battle of titans on a hot night in Piraeus, Manchester City and Sevilla tussled for the UEFA Super Cup. The game, underlined by passion and technique, ended in a 1-1 stalemate but the drama extended into penalties.

City’s Sterling Performance Meets Sevilla’s Resilience
The action-packed encounter saw Pep Guardiola’s City dominate large swathes of the game. Their intricate play was characterised by Phil Foden’s drifting movements, which seamlessly interconnected the midfield and attack. A surprise inclusion in the absence of Kevin De Bruyne, Foden’s nimble touches and quick turns painted a familiar narrative – Manchester City’s penchant for holding the reins.

However, Sevilla, ever the European stalwarts, showcased their continental pedigree by containing City’s free-flowing football. Despite enduring phases where they seemed spellbound by City’s footballing dance, they remained firm, waiting for their moment.

City’s Momentary Lapse and Sevilla’s Strike
Just when it looked like City were invincible, a rare mistake in their half proved costly. Kovacic’s error led to a beautifully flighted ball from Marcos Acuña that found the lethal Youssef En-Nesyri. The Moroccan striker showcased his aerial prowess, leaving Ederson no chance, and drawing first blood for Sevilla.

City, though momentarily stunned, regrouped. The absences of De Bruyne, Gündogan, and Silva were palpable. The fluidity was slightly amiss, and Foden, despite his best efforts, couldn’t change the tide single-handedly.

Palmer’s Golden Touch
Enter Cole Palmer. The young winger, thriving in the void left by Riyad Mahrez, made his mark. A deft header off Rodri’s perfect cross restored parity, and just like that, City was back. The goal, as well as his overall performance, raises questions about Palmer’s future under Guardiola – a tantalising subplot to the evening’s drama.

An Edge-of-the-Seat Finish
The final whistle couldn’t separate the two sides. Tensions ran high as players braced themselves for the dreaded penalty shootout.

The penalties mirrored the match’s intensity. Every shot echoed the determination and the weight of the occasion. City’s quintet – Haaland, Álvarez, Kovacic, Grealish, and Walker – showcased nerves of steel, ensuring a perfect record. But, Nemanja Gudelj’s miss for Sevilla proved decisive, gifting Manchester City the UEFA Super Cup.

Guardiola’s Dream Continues
With the Super Cup in the bag, City’s unprecedented trophy run shows no signs of abating. The next trophy, the Club World Cup in December, is now within arm’s reach. The Community Shield might have eluded them, but the dream of an almost perfect season is very much alive.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Nigeria Premier League

Rangers Secure 2-0 Win Over Abia Warriors As NPFL Action Heats Up

Rangers International players celebrating a goal during their NPFL win over Abia Warriors in Enugu.

Rangers International put on a show in Enugu on Wednesday, sealing a convincing 2-0 victory over Abia Warriors in their rescheduled Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) matchday five encounter.

The Flying Antelopes got off to a bright start as Chigozie Iwundu struck in the 13th minute, sending the home fans into wild celebrations. Just before the half-hour mark, Godwin Obaje doubled the lead, showcasing his fine form with two goals in his last two matches.

The win catapulted Rangers into fifth place on the NPFL table with 11 points from seven games, keeping them within touching distance of the top four. Meanwhile, Abia Warriors, despite the loss, remain in fourth place with 12 points from the same number of matches.

Elsewhere at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano Pillars secured a hard-fought 1-0 win over Kwara United in a rescheduled matchday six fixture. Club legend Rabiu Ali rolled back the years, scoring the only goal in the 23rd minute to give Pillars a much-needed victory.

With the NPFL season still taking shape, fans can expect more drama, goals, and big performances as the race for the top intensifies.

At Sports Market International, we continue to bring you the best coverage, analysis, and insights from the world of football and beyond. Stay tuned — the NPFL is only just getting started!

Continue Reading

Local News

Nasarawa United Head Coach Mbwas Mangut Hails Players After 2-1 Victory At Bayelsa United

Nasarawa United Head Coach Mbwas Mangut Has Praised His Players For Their Impressive Performance Following A Hard-Fought 2-1 Away Victory Against Bayelsa United In The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).

The Solid Miners Showed Resilience At The Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa, On Sunday, Rallying From A Goal Down To Secure Their First Away Win Of The 2024/25 NPFL Season.

How The Game Unfolded

Bayelsa United Took The Lead In The 36th Minute Through Jawad Mustapha, Putting The Hosts In Control. However, Nasarawa United Responded Bravely, With Ekeson Okorie Restoring Parity Just Before Half-Time.

Substitute Victor Onovuke Then Delivered The Decisive Moment In The 89th Minute, Scoring The Winning Goal To Hand Nasarawa United A Memorable Victory On The Road.

Mangut Talks Up Massive Win

Speaking After The Match, Coach Mbwas Mangut Highlighted The Determination And Discipline Of His Team Despite Difficult Playing Conditions.

“It Was A Very Tight Game Based On The Condition Of The Field As It Was Water-Logged Due To A Heavy Downpour,” Mangut Told The Club’s Media.

“We Conceded Through An Error, But We Played Our Way Back And Got What We Worked For. After Losing Their Last Home Game, Bayelsa United Were More Under Pressure In Today’s Game. So, We Came With A Game Plan To Frustrate Them The More, And It Worked For Us.

“I Give Credit To My Boys For Being Able To Get The Job Done, Without Sounding Disrespectful To The Bayelsa United’s Side, Because They Gave Their All, But Unfortunately Couldn’t Get Any Positive Result.”

What The Result Means

The Win Marks A Significant Step Forward For Nasarawa United In Their NPFL Campaign. Securing An Away Victory Against A Tough Opponent Like Bayelsa United Underscores Their Ambition To Climb Higher Up The Table And Compete With The League’s Best.


Sports Market International Continues To Deliver The Best Sport Blog Content Across The World, Highlighting NPFL Action, Tactical Insights, And Inspirational Stories That Shape The Sports Market.

Continue Reading

Local News

Rivers United Offer Free Jerseys And Free Admission Ahead Of NPFL Clash With Shooting Stars

Former Super Eagles Coach Finidi George’s Rivers United Are Raising The Stakes Ahead Of Their Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Clash With Shooting Stars By Offering Fans Free Replica Jerseys And Free Admission To The Match. The Rivers State Outfit Will Host Ibadan Warriors At Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium On Sunday, In One Of The Biggest Fixtures Of Week Four.

Both Teams Are Eager For A Win After Dropping Points Last Weekend. Rivers United Settled For A Goalless Draw With El-Kanemi Warriors, While Shooting Stars Were Held By Nemesis Ikorodu City In Ibadan.

To Ignite Fan Support And Boost Their Chances, Rivers United Announced On Social Media A Special Giveaway:

“FREE Replica Jerseys For FANS! Gate Fee: FREE! Don’t Miss Out! Show Your Team Pride & Join Us For An Electrifying Match.”

This Bold Move Highlights The Pride Of Rivers’ Determination To Secure All Three Points In This Crucial Encounter As Finidi Looks To Challenge For The NPFL Title Again.

The History Between The Two Clubs Adds Extra Spice To The Fixture. Rivers Have Claimed Four Wins In The Last Eight Meetings, While Shooting Stars Have Three. Notably, In Their Last Four Meetings In Port Harcourt, Rivers United Have Been Dominant With Four Clean-Sheet Victories, Including A 2-0 Win In Shooting Stars’ Last Visit.

Finidi George’s Rivers United Will Be Hoping To Rely On The Unwavering Support Of Their Energised Home Crowd, Boosted By The Free Jersey Offer, To Continue Their Strong Home Form And Shoot Down Oluyole Warriors This Weekend.

Continue Reading

Trending