UDINE, Italy: Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) won their fifth trophy of the year after beating Europa League champions Tottenham Hotspur 4-3 on penalties after a dramatic 2-2 draw in Udine, securing their first UEFA Super Cup triumph.
Despite not being at their best, PSG proved why they are European champions when a late comeback saw them come from 0-2 down in the 84th minute to equalise and eventually win on penalties, adding another trophy to their collection.
Spurs started fiercely, making opponents uncomfortable with a high-intensity approach, which clearly pleased their new head coach, Thomas Frank, on the sidelines.
Their best moment early in the game came when Richarlison won the ball in midfield before doing a one-two with Mohammed Kudus and unleashing a powerful shot that was successfully saved by PSG’s new goalkeeper, Lucas Chevalier.
Luis Enrique’s team looked a bit ‘rusty’ after a short pre-season, frequently losing the ball due to poor passing and having difficulty involving their key players in matches.
The mistake was punished in the 39th minute when they failed to clear the ball from a free kick sent into the penalty box.
Chevalier parried Joao Palhinha’s powerful shot against the crossbar, but Micky van de Ven – one of Spurs’ heroes in the Europa League win in Bilbao – quickly pounced on the rebound to score the opening goal.
PSG were surprised again just a few minutes into the second half.
Cristian Romero, who was announced as Spurs’ new captain for the upcoming season yesterday, celebrated the appointment with a header into the corner of the goal after receiving a perfect cross from Pedro Porro to double the team’s lead.
However, as time went on, Les Rouge et Bleu began to increase the tempo.
Desire Doue fired a low shot that was saved by Guglielmo Vicario – who plays in his hometown – before Ousmane Dembele curled a shot wide.
After constant pressure, they finally got the goal they wanted when substitute Lee Kang In fired a beautiful shot from outside the penalty area that beat Vicario, paving the way for a thrilling finish.
PSG continued to dominate the game and attack the Spurs goal and as the match neared its end, Dembele slipped in on the right before sending a powerful cross that Goncalo Ramos headed home to equalise, sparking thunderous cheers from the French fans and sending the match into penalties.
Vitinha missed PSG’s first penalty, but Van de Ven and Mathys Tel also failed to convert their respective kicks for Spurs.
Nuno Mendes then calmly slotted home the winning fifth kick, ensuring PSG claimed their first Super Cup trophy.
It was a perfect start to the season for the Ligue 1 champions.
Spurs, although disappointed, can take the positive side because they managed to provide great resistance to the team considered the best in the world at the moment, thus increasing their confidence to go far in the Champions League this season.