PSG Claims First-Ever UEFA Super Cup Title in Penalty Shootout Thriller
Paris Saint-Germain wins UEFA Super Cup in dramatic penalty shootout against Tottenham Hotspur, with Lucas Chevalier making crucial save. PSG's victory marks their first-ever UEFA Super Cup title, adding to their Champions League crown.
Tottenham's victory over PSG in the early stages of the UEFA Super Cup match showcased the merit of manager Thomas Frank's approach. However, the French champions ultimately reminded everyone of their dominance in European football, coming back from a 2-0 deficit to force a penalty shootout, which they won 4-3. The match highlighted the gulf between the two teams, with PSG's superior experience and quality ultimately telling in the end.
The UEFA Super Cup often feels like a transitional fixture, lacking the jeopardy and significance of other major tournaments. This match was no exception, with the narrative fitting the peculiar nature of the competition. Despite their eventual loss, Spurs showed flashes of brilliance under Frank, but PSG's ability to bounce back and win the penalty shootout reinforced their status as one of Europe's top teams.
Key Takeaways:
- Tottenham's Performance: Spurs played with intensity and purpose, taking a 2-0 lead before PSG's experience and quality told.
- PSG's Dominance: The French champions showed their resilience and ability to bounce back, ultimately winning the penalty shootout to claim the UEFA Super Cup title.
- Competition Significance: The UEFA Super Cup may not carry the same weight as other major tournaments, but it still provides a platform for teams to showcase their skills and ambition.
The unusual atmosphere surrounding the match began a day earlier when Gianluigi Donnarumma was unexpectedly left out of the squad. This decision seemed to pave the way for his potential exit from the club, especially with the arrival of new goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier. PSG manager Luis Enrique hinted at a change in direction during the pre-match press conference, suggesting that Donnarumma's exclusion was part of a broader strategic shift.
BRAVO MESSIEURS ! 🏆❤️💙 pic.twitter.com/BKO3ziI8Kt
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_inside) August 13, 2025
The game itself saw Chevalier face a challenging situation on the field. While he had limited control over the first goal, the second goal might have brought a wry smile to Donnarumma's face. A header from Cristian Romero at the back post forced Chevalier to make a save, but the ball bounced into the net after he pushed under it. Despite this, Chevalier redeemed himself during the penalty shootout, making a crucial save from Micky van de Ven to help PSG secure a 4-3 win in the shootout after the match ended 2-2 in regular time.
Tottenham Hotspur's fans were promised a more pragmatic and structured style of play under Thomas Frank, and he delivered just that in the opening 81 minutes of the UEFA Super Cup match against PSG. The team's shape was solid, their pressing was sharp, and their spirit remained unbroken. They were aided by a rusty PSG side, which had barely trained for a week before the encounter, as admitted by their manager Luis Enrique. However, the match took a dramatic turn in the final minutes and the penalty shootout, leading to a 4-3 win for PSG.
After finishing their season in mid-July, PSG's players likely needed a break, but their lack of recent football was evident during the match. The Parisians struggled to find their usual rhythm with the ball, and without it, they had difficulty competing with a robust and well-structured Tottenham Hotspur side. This lack of sharpness was noticeable, allowing Spurs to capitalize on PSG's struggles and take a 2-0 lead before the French champions staged a dramatic comeback.
Bench Saves PSG's Blushes
Fabian Ruiz's timely substitution proved to be a turning point for PSG, as he brought much-needed creativity to the team's midfield. His introduction allowed Vitinha to drop deeper, and the Portuguese midfielder played a key role in sparking PSG's resurgence. A clever pass from Vitinha to another substitute, Lee Kang-In, led to the South Korean's goal, which reduced the deficit and put pressure on Tottenham Hotspur. This substitution ultimately changed the course of the game, enabling PSG to mount a dramatic comeback and force a penalty shootout.
Dramatic Turnaround
PSG's bench players proved instrumental in their dramatic turnaround, reminiscent of their comeback against Manchester United in May. However, just two minutes from time, Tottenham's lead was under threat. Ousmane Dembélé, who was named man of the match, played a crucial role in PSG's equalizer, finding Gonçalo Ramos with a precise pass to level the score. This turn of events was made possible by Luis Enrique's tactical substitutions, which brought fresh energy and creativity to the team, ultimately dragging them back into the game.
The 50th Super Cup match between Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham Hotspur at the Stadio Friuli in Udine, Italy, culminated in a thrilling penalty shootout. With a sellout crowd of 25,144 spectators, the tension was palpable. PSG's new goalkeeper, Lucas Chevalier, proved to be the hero of the night, making a crucial save from Tottenham's Micky van de Ven during the penalty shootout. This save set the stage for Nuno Mendes to seal the win for PSG, netting the final penalty and securing his team's first-ever UEFA Super Cup title.
The penalty shootout was intense, with PSG ultimately winning 4-3 after the match had ended 2-2 in regular time. Tottenham had taken a 2-0 lead through goals from Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero, but PSG staged a dramatic comeback with goals from Lee Kang-in and Gonçalo Ramos in the final minutes of the game. The victory marked a historic moment for PSG, adding to their impressive trophy haul, which includes their UEFA Champions League win earlier in the year.
The UEFA Super Cup match between PSG and Tottenham Hotspur had a fittingly dramatic conclusion, with both managers likely to take away positives from the encounter. Luis Enrique's side demonstrated a strong fighting spirit, coming from behind to win the trophy despite being undercooked. Meanwhile, Thomas Frank will be encouraged by his team's dominant performance, which ultimately fell short due to PSG's late surge and penalty shootout heroics. The defeat may be cruel for Spurs, given their control of the game for much of the match, but it's a valuable lesson in competing against top-tier teams.
The online community will likely seize on this match as another example of Tottenham's perceived inability to close out games, with some labeling it as “Spursing it up.” However, this match might also highlight the resilience and determination of PSG, who fought back from a 2-0 deficit to win the game in a penalty shootout. Perhaps it's time to coin a new phrase, “PSGed it until the very end,” to describe the French champions' ability to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
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