- PSG win 2–1 on penalties after 1–1 draw
- Matvei Safonov saves four penalties
- Kvaratskhelia and Jorginho score in regulation
- Flamengo push European champions to the limit
Paris Saint-Germain clinched the FIFA Intercontinental Cup after edging Flamengo 2–1 on penalties in a tense final played in Qatar on Wednesday night.
The French side thought they had taken an early lead in the ninth minute when Fabian Ruiz tapped into an empty net after Flamengo goalkeeper Agustin Rossi mishandled a clearance. However, VAR ruled out the goal, judging that Rossi had narrowly kept the ball in play.
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PSG eventually broke the deadlock eight minutes before half-time, capitalising on another error from Rossi. His attempted interception of Desire Doue’s low cross fell kindly to Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who tapped home from close range.
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Flamengo refused to back down and were rewarded just after the hour mark when Marquinhos was penalised for a foul on Giorgian de Arrascaeta following a VAR review. Former Chelsea midfielder Jorginho calmly converted the penalty to restore parity.
PSG pressed for a winner, introducing Ousmane Dembele and Bradley Barcola, with Dembele creating a late chance for Marquinhos. The defender, however, failed to connect as the ball flashed across goal.
Extra time produced few clear chances, with Dembele firing narrowly wide in the 116th minute, sending the contest to penalties.
That was when Safonov, deputising for injured first-choice keeper Lucas Chevalier, stole the spotlight. The Russian shot-stopper saved four penalties as PSG secured a 2–1 shoot-out victory, following in the footsteps of Real Madrid, winners of the inaugural edition last year.
“We trusted Safonov, and he delivered when it mattered most,” a PSG official said after the match.
