Akanji's spot-kick wins Community Shield for City
Manchester City came from behind to draw 1-1 with Manchester United before winning 7-6 on penalties in the Community Shield at Wembley Stadium.
Alejandro Garnacho had broken the deadlock in the 82nd minute before Bernardo Silva headed in an equaliser just seven minutes later, setting up the shootout, in which Manuel Akanji's penalty was the difference.
After a slow start, it looked like City was kicking into gear when Oscar Bobb latched on to a loose back pass from Lisandro Martinez, but Nico O'Reilly could only hit the far post with his curling strike.
Bruno Fernandes thought he had given United the lead in the 54th minute, only to be denied by the offside flag after curling a wonderful shot over Ederson and into the far corner, before Marcus Rashford struck the post after a quick counter-attack.
Just as he did in the FA Cup final in May, Garnacho broke the deadlock at Wembley, cutting inside from the right before fizzing a low shot out of Ederson's reach and into the bottom-right corner.
Silva soon marked his 30th birthday with an equaliser though, outmuscling Facundo Pellistri at the far post to nod Bobb's floated cross past Andre Onana.
Onana saved City's first penalty, denying Silva, but the contest went to sudden death after Ederson kept out Jadon Sancho's effort.
When Jonny Evans sent his spot-kick over the bar, Akanji kept his cool to win it for the defending Premier League champion, rifling his kick into the roof of the net.
It is not often City goes without winning a certain trophy for long spells, but it took it five years to get its hands back on the Community Shield.
It had to come from behind to do it, and only against Newcastle United and Watford – both five – has Silva scored more goals against a single side for City than he has against United – four.
Meanwhile, Garnacho, who is 20 years, 40 days old, became the youngest player to score in the Community Shield since Cesc Fabregas for Arsenal against Chelsea in 2005, when he was 18 years and 95 days old.
However, his goal was not enough to prevent United from becoming the Community Shield runner-up for a 10th time, more than any other club.
