Via nytimes.com
Manchester City equalizes against Atletico Madrid with Marmoush goal in Seoul friendly
The Egyptian forward scored twice to give City a 2-1 lead in their final pre-season fixture of the 2026 Asia Tour
Omar Marmoush picked a pretty good time to remind Atletico Madrid what they’re missing. The Egyptian striker, who had been the subject of transfer rumors linking him to the Spanish club earlier this year, scored twice against Atletico in Seoul on August 9, turning a deficit into a 2-1 lead during Manchester City’s final pre-season friendly of their 2026 Asia Tour.
The first goal came around the 57th minute, leveling the match. The second arrived shortly after.
Marmoush makes his case in Seoul
Marmoush, 27, has been building his reputation as a central figure in City’s attack since arriving from Eintracht Frankfurt in January 2025 for a reported fee of around €75 million. He was handed the number 7 shirt.
The Seoul friendly was broadcast globally via City’s CITY+ platform, though viewers in South Korea and Spain were excluded from the stream.
City’s pre-season under Maresca
This was Manchester City’s third and final pre-season fixture of their Asia Tour. City drew their opener against Inter, followed by a win over the K-League All Stars. The Atletico match represented the stiffest test of the three, with Diego Simeone’s side taking the lead before Marmoush’s intervention.
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Maresca took charge after Pep Guardiola’s departure following a third-place Premier League finish last season.
The Marmoush factor
Born on February 7, 1999, Marmoush spent years in German football before his breakout spell at Eintracht Frankfurt. City moved decisively in January 2025, paying €75 million to secure his services.
Transfer rumors linking him to Atletico Madrid surfaced earlier in 2026, though nothing materialized beyond speculation.