Onana's Mind Games Fail Spectacularly as Haaland Laughs All the Way to Victory

In a hilarious episode that will go down in Community Shield history, Manchester United's goalkeeper André Onana tried—and spectacularly failed—to outwit Manchester City's Erling Haaland during the penalty shootout. While Onana’s antics might have been more fitting for a comedy sketch than a football match, they did little to prevent City from claiming yet another piece of silverware.

The match itself was a tense affair, with Alejandro Garnacho giving United the lead late in the second half. But Manchester City, being the relentless force they are, found an equalizer through Bernardo Silva in the 89th minute. With the scores level at 1-1, the game went straight to penalties—a moment when goalkeepers often turn into amateur psychologists, hoping to spook the opposition into missing their shots.

Onana, clearly eager to leave his mark, was no exception. As Bernardo Silva and Kevin De Bruyne stepped up for City’s first two spot kicks, Onana could be seen waving his arms, gesturing wildly, and pulling faces that might have been better suited for a mime performance. But his pièce de résistance came when Haaland, the Nordic goal machine, stepped up for his penalty.

The Cameroonian keeper decided to go full mentalist, standing on one side of the goal and beckoning Haaland towards the empty space on the opposite side. It was the football equivalent of saying, "Come on, I dare you." Haaland, initially focused on his task, soon caught wind of Onana's antics and couldn’t help but smirk. The absurdity of the situation was not lost on the Norwegian, who seemed more amused than intimidated.

And so, with all the confidence of a man who scores goals for breakfast, Haaland took a casual run-up and slotted the ball exactly where Onana had been standing moments before. As the ball nestled into the back of the net, Haaland turned around and flashed a grin at Onana, a silent acknowledgment of the goalkeeper's failed attempt at trickery.

For a brief moment, it looked like Onana’s mind games might have had some effect, with City missing one of their early penalties. But in the end, it was United who cracked under the pressure. Jadon Sancho and Jonny Evans both missed from the spot, handing City the Community Shield and leaving Onana's efforts in vain.

As City celebrated yet another victory, Onana was left to ponder his tactics—or perhaps to consider a career in stand-up comedy. Because while he might not have stopped Haaland, he certainly provided everyone with a good laugh.

With the Premier League season just around the corner, Onana might want to leave the theatrics behind and focus on the basics. After all, Haaland and the rest of the league’s strikers are unlikely to fall for the same tricks twice.