Latest News
Carabao Cup: Manchester City Prevail in Thrilling Penalty Shootout Against Leicester
Manchester City extended their unbeaten streak in English football this season with a hard-fought victory over Leicester City in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup. The thrilling encounter at the King Power stadium ended 1-1 after regulation time and extra time, forcing the match to be decided by a penalty shootout, which saw Manchester City emerge triumphant with a 4-3 scoreline.
The shootout showcased the nerves of steel possessed by Manchester City’s Ilkay Gundogan, Yaya Toure, Lukas Nmecha, and Gabriel Jesus, who all converted their penalties flawlessly. On the other hand, Christian Fuchs, Harry Maguire, and Vicente Iborra demonstrated their composure for Leicester City by finding the back of the net from the spot. However, it was Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez who faltered at the crucial moment, as their missed penalties allowed Manchester City’s goalkeeper, Claudio Bravo, to secure the victory for his team.
The first half of the match saw Manchester City take the lead through Bernardo Silva’s clinical finish in the 26th minute. However, Leicester City’s talisman, Jamie Vardy, ensured his team’s resilience by equalizing just before the regulation time whistle.
Nigeria forward Kelechi Iheanacho, who made his second appearance in the Carabao Cup for Leicester City, exhibited his attacking prowess early on, forcing a save from Bravo in the 13th minute. However, his efforts were in vain as he was ultimately substituted in the 57th minute for Jamie Vardy. Ahmed Musa, on the other hand, was once again absent from the match day squad of Leicester City.
As the game approached its conclusion, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola introduced academy graduate Tom Dele-Bashiru, who made his senior debut, in place of Phil Foden in the 87th minute.
In the dying moments of the match, Leicester City were awarded a penalty after Kyle Walker brought down Demarai Gray inside the box. Vardy stepped up to the spot with confidence and dispatched the penalty into the bottom corner from 12 yards, leveling the scoreline and sending the match into extra time.
Ultimately, it was Manchester City’s resilience and Bravo’s heroics in the penalty shootout that secured their place in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup. As they continue their unbeaten run, they will undoubtedly be a force to be reckoned with in the competition.
