The 2025 FIFA Intercontinental Cup ultimate was held in Qatar, the place Paris Saint-Germain defeated Flamengo 2–1 in a penalty shootout to raise the primary Intercontinental Cup trophy within the membership’s historical past, finishing a outstanding six-title haul in 2025.
For this match, PSG have been with out defender Achraf Hakimi as a result of damage, whereas newly topped World Footballer of the 12 months Ousmane Dembélé began on the bench. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Désiré Doué, and Lee Kang-in shaped the attacking trio.
Flamengo have been additionally lacking Rodríguez via damage, with Jorginho anchoring the midfield and Bruno Henrique main the road.
Kvaratskhelia Strikes as PSG Lead on the Break
PSG broke the impasse within the thirty eighth minute. Doué performed a exact via ball from the fitting aspect of the field, Flamengo goalkeeper Rossi made a mistake in his try to gather, and Kvaratskhelia completed from shut vary into an empty internet on the left aspect of the six-yard field. PSG went into half-time with a 1–0 lead.
Jorginho Converts Penalty as Match Goes to Further Time
After the break, Flamengo have been awarded a penalty within the 59th minute when Marquinhos introduced down Giorgian De Arrascaeta within the space, a choice confirmed by VAR. Three minutes later, Jorginho calmly despatched goalkeeper Safonov the unsuitable manner and slotted the ball into the underside proper nook to make it 1–1.
After 120 minutes of intense motion, the 2 sides nonetheless couldn’t be separated, forcing the ultimate to be determined by a penalty shootout.
Safonov the Hero within the Shootout
Regardless of missed penalties from Dembélé and Bradley Barcola, PSG goalkeeper Safonov delivered a heroic efficiency, saving 4 spot kicks to safe a 2–1 victory within the shootout. His excellent show proved decisive in PSG’s triumph.
On the ultimate whistle, PSG gamers lifted the 26-year-old Russian goalkeeper into the air, celebrating the person who had earned widespread reward from his teammates.
Teammates and Coach Reward Goalkeeping Hero
Defender Nuno Mendes admitted that PSG weren’t at their finest and had missed two penalties, however careworn that Safonov’s brilliance modified the end result: “All of us thanked Safonov. He confirmed his high quality, and we’re all completely satisfied for him. He’s a fantastic particular person, at all times joking with everybody, and we’re completely satisfied to have him with us.”
With this victory, PSG accomplished a clear sweep of six trophies in 2025: the Trophée des Champions, Ligue 1, Coupe de France, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Tremendous Cup, and the Intercontinental Cup.
Reflecting on the historic “six-title season,” PSG head coach Luis Enrique, who was just lately named FIFA Males’s Coach of the 12 months, mentioned: “2025 has been unforgettable. Now we have now to keep up this degree. I imagine our squad is well-balanced, with skilled gamers and thrilling younger expertise. I’m delighted for the time being.”
This Intercontinental Cup triumph not solely put the right of entirety on PSG’s extraordinary season but in addition reaffirmed the membership’s standing as a dominant pressure in each European and world soccer.
