PSG Stuns Europe with Historic Comeback Victory to Claim Maiden UEFA Super Cup
Paris Saint-Germain claimed their inaugural UEFA Super Cup triumph, pulling off a dramatic comeback victory against Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday evening.
The customary European season opener between the defending Champions League and Europa League champions took place in Udine, Italy, occurring just one month after PSG's participation in the FIFA Club World Cup final.
Luis Enrique fielded a formidable lineup featuring the majority of players who demolished Inter in May to secure France's maiden continental title. However, Gianluigi Donnarumma was notably absent following the surprising decision to release the Italian shot-stopper.
For Thomas Frank, making his official debut as Tottenham's manager after his summer move from Brentford, it nearly proved to be the ideal beginning. PSG controlled possession, yet Spurs generated superior chances and held a 2–0 advantage entering the final moments, before falling to a dramatic late rally and losing 4–3 on penalties.
João Palhinha, in his Spurs debut appearance, came close to opening the scoring just before the interval, watching his improvised effort deflected off the crossbar by new PSG keeper Lucas Chevalier. However, Micky van de Ven responded fastest to convert the rebound.
Chevalier, facing pressure due to the Donnarumma situation, committed a costly error that allowed Tottenham to extend their advantage early in the second period. The French goalkeeper managed to get both hands on a header from Cristian Romero, the newly named Spurs skipper, but could only parry it into his own goal.
PSG eventually came alive in the dying moments, demonstrating precisely why they're regarded as the world's premier club. Their situation remained dire even when substitute Lee Kang-in reduced the deficit with five minutes remaining, striking into the bottom corner from outside the area. There was little celebration as they still required another goal to force penalties.
Well into the six minutes of added time, a swift attacking sequence down the right flank produced the equalizer. Ousmane Dembélé whipped the final delivery across the goalmouth, serving it perfectly for Gonçalo Ramos to courageously dive in and head home.
Vitinha sent his penalty wide early in the shootout, but found redemption when Chevalier denied Van de Ven to make it 2–2 after three rounds each. With Spurs missing through Mathys Tel, PSG gained the upper hand that Lee confidently converted. Pedro Porro extended Tottenham's hopes, but the outcome was sealed when Nuno Mendes stepped forward to clinch victory for PSG.