London --Leicester City won the 2021 Community Shield title. Leicester beat the reigning Premier League champions, Manchester City, with a narrow score of
1-0.
The 2021 Community Shield match between Leicester vs Man City will be held at Wembley Stadium, Saturday (7/8/2021). Both teams played to a goalless draw for most of the game.
Leicester substitute Kelechi Iheanacho made the difference. Iheanacho won a stoppage-time penalty and converted it into a goal to seal the Foxes' victory.
Thus, Leicester added to their trophy collection after winning the 2020/2021 FA Cup. For Leicester, this is the second Community Shield trophy since 1971.
The course of the match
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Leicester took the initiative to attack first, but Man City created the first chance. In the seventh minute, Ilkay Gundogan curled a kick into the top corner of the Leicester goal. Kasper Schmeichel parried the ball over the crossbar.
Less than 10 minutes later, City were dangerous again. Benjamin Mendy's crossing from the left was intercepted by Soyuncu. The ball actually turned towards the Leicester goal even though it still bounced. The corner kick that resulted from it was accepted by Riyad Mahrez to be continued with a long-range shot but not yet on target.
In the 19th minute, Youri Tielemans' error allowed Mendy to free Mahrez into the final third. However, Mahrez instead stabbed before releasing a left-footed shot, which again flew over the Leicester crossbar.
Leicester City are finally out of the pressure. However, an opportunity failed to be exploited after Ayoze Perez's shot from close range was still too weak so it was easily caught by goalkeeper Zack Steffen.
A minute later, Barnes pierced Man City's midfield before arriving in the penalty box. Barnes' shot was parried, then the rebound was continued by Jamie Vardy. Steffen stretched his body to save the kick.
Before halftime, Leicester almost scored. Crossing Barnes was greeted by Vardy with a left foot kick towards the goal. Steffen, who died of a step, was able to ward off the ball so that the ball moved to hit the crossbar and then went out of the field.
The score 0-0 marked the end of the first half.
After the break, City created their best chance so far. Mahrez's collaboration with Edozie in a corner ended with a cross into the penalty box. The ball fell in the path of Guendogan who had space and time to release a precise shot, but his finish bounced high.
Before the game rolled on an hour, Man City wasted a golden opportunity. Ricardo Pereira's error left Mahrez free up front. However, two Leicester defenders could put Mahrez under pressure so his shot went wide.
Furthermore, the two teams both used a lot of time to replace their players. The ball rolled more in midfield and both struggled to create chances until entering the last 10 minutes.
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In the 84th minute, Leicester created a dangerous opportunity. Soumare's breakthrough bait was received by Daka and then tried to do a cheat. Steffen rushes out of the net to block.
Three minutes later, Leicester were awarded a penalty after Nathan Ake brought down Kelechi Iheanacho. Iheanacho stepped up as the executor then fired a powerful shot into the top corner of the net which Steffen could not stop.
The deadlock was broken, Leicester led 1-0 over Man City in the 89th minute.
Man City began to run out of time and struggled to penetrate the Leicester defense. Until the match ended, Leicester's advantage lasted so they were entitled to the 2021 Community Shield title.
Lineup
LEICESTER CITY: Schmeichel, Bertrand (Thomas 79'), Ricardo Pereira, Amartey, Soyuncu, Tielemans (Soumare 72'), Ndidi, Maddison (Dewsburry-Hall 72'), Barnes (Iheanacho 79'), Vardy (Daka 71') , Ayoze Perez (Albrighton 71')
MANCHESTER CITY: Steffen, Cancelo, Mendy, Ake, Ruben Dias Fernandinho, Palmer, Guendogan (Rodri 65'), Edozie (Grealish 65'), Mahrez, Ferran Torres (Knight 74')