'23-second first goal seals victory': Arsenal defeats Manchester City 3-0, wins Community Shield for the first time in three years

*This content was translated by AI.

Arsenal has claimed the English Football Association (FA) Community Shield title.

On the 16th (Korea time), Arsenal defeated Manchester City 3-0 at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, in the 2026 FA Community Shield.

The Community Shield is a match between the previous season's English Premier League (EPL) champions and the FA Cup winners. Arsenal participated as the EPL champions.

This marks Arsenal's first Community Shield title since 2023, three years ago. Their opponent then was also Manchester City.

Arsenal also broke the recent trend of Community Shield matches going to penalty shootouts for three consecutive seasons. The last time a 3-0 scoreline or a goal difference of three or more occurred in the competition was in 2014, 12 years ago. Coincidentally, Arsenal had also defeated Manchester City 3-0 at that time.

The 0-0 deadlock was broken less than a minute after kickoff. Miles Lewis-Skelly delivered a precise through pass to Riccardo Calafiori, who was making a run into the space behind the defense. Calafiori did not miss the opportunity.

According to football statistics provider Opta, Calafiori's goal came just 23 seconds into the match. Although the official goal record lists it as occurring in the first minute, this is the first time a goal has been recorded within the first minute of a Community Shield match since 1968.

With momentum on their side, Arsenal extended their lead in the 28th minute of the first half. Martin Ødegaard's cross was headed toward the goal by Christian Nørgaard, and Kai Havertz finished with a header from close range.

Later, in the third minute of the second half, Arsenal sealed the victory early when Ødegaard scored his third goal of the match. Nørgaard passed the ball into the box after cutting inside from the left flank, and Ødegaard skillfully deceived the goalkeeper before finishing with his left foot.

Manchester City launched a late counterattack in an attempt to avoid defeat, but Arsenal's focus remained unshaken. Arsenal also looked for a fourth goal throughout the match but failed to convert their chances. The game ultimately ended with a 3-0 victory for Arsenal.

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*This content was translated by AI.