Paris Saint-Germain began the new season in style on Wednesday, 13 August, claiming their first UEFA Super Cup and the first by any French club after a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over Tottenham Hotspur in Udine, Italy.
Tottenham, in their first competitive match under new head coach Thomas Frank, looked poised to lift the trophy after building a 2-0 lead just after half-time. Micky van de Ven broke the deadlock in the 39th minute, before Cristian Romero doubled the advantage three minutes into the second half.
However, Luis Enrique’s side produced a stunning late comeback. Substitute Lee Kang-in pulled one back in the 85th minute, and deep into stoppage time Gonçalo Ramos headed in Ousmane Dembélé’s cross to level the match at 2-2.
The shoot-out began poorly for PSG as Vitinha missed the target, but new goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier denied Van de Ven before Mathys Tel also missed for Spurs. Ramos, Dembélé, and Lee converted their efforts for the Parisians, and Nuno Mendes struck the decisive penalty to seal a 4-3 win. Dominic Solanke, Rodrigo Bentancur, and Pedro Porro were successful from the spot for Spurs.
The victory takes PSG’s 2025 silverware tally to five, following triumphs in Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, the Trophée des Champions, and the UEFA Champions League. Speaking afterwards, captain Marquinhos praised his team’s resilience:
“I am proud. We haven’t had much preparation, but football is about more than just fitness it’s about mentality, positioning, and tactics. Spurs sat back after going 2-0 up, and it is dangerous to invite PSG onto you.”
PSG had only returned to training a week earlier, with no pre-season friendlies, following their FIFA Club World Cup final defeat to Chelsea a month ago. Chevalier, making his debut after joining from Lille, endured a mixed evening producing fine saves from Richarlison and João Palhinha, yet being beaten too easily by Romero’s header.
For Tottenham, there was disappointment but also encouragement. Frank, who handed debuts to summer signings Mohammed Kudus and João Palhinha, reflected positively:
“We had them exactly where we wanted for over 80 minutes until the first goal shifted the momentum. There’s so much positivity to take, it’s a flip of a coin in a shoot-out.”
PSG now turn their focus to the Ligue 1 opener away to Nantes on Sunday, while Spurs host Burnley in their Premier League curtain-raiser on Saturday.