Mansion Sports - Paris Saint-Germain etched their name into European football history by lifting their first-ever UEFA Super Cup, overcoming Tottenham Hotspur in a dramatic penalty shootout on Wednesday night. 

The victory was made all the more memorable as it came from a losing position, with PSG staging a remarkable late comeback to force the match into penalties.

The Super Cup, traditionally the curtain-raiser to the European club season, pits the reigning UEFA Champions League winners against the previous season’s UEFA Europa League champions. 

This year’s contest took place in Udine, Italy, barely a month after PSG appeared in the FIFA Club World Cup final.

Donnarumma’s Absence and Luis Enrique’s Bold Decision

Manager Luis Enrique fielded almost the entire squad that dismantled Inter Milan in the Champions League final last May, making PSG the first French club to capture the trophy. 

Yet much of the attention was drawn to the absence of Gianluigi Donnarumma, who had just confirmed his departure from the club. 

His place between the posts was taken by new signing Lucas Chevalier from Lille, marking a significant shift in PSG’s goalkeeping department.

A Near Dream Debut for Tottenham’s New Manager

On the opposite bench, the match marked the official debut of Thomas Frank as Tottenham Hotspur’s head coach following his tenure at Brentford. 

Spurs displayed promise despite having less possession, creating more chances and holding a 2–0 lead deep into the closing minutes.

Tottenham’s opener came just before halftime when João Palhinha, making his debut, nearly scored with a close-range strike that Chevalier tipped onto the crossbar. Micky van de Ven reacted quickest to the rebound, slotting the ball home to put Spurs ahead 1–0.

In the second half, a costly error from Chevalier gifted Tottenham their second goal. Although he got both hands to a header from Cristian Romero, the ball deflected awkwardly into the net, doubling Spurs’ advantage.

PSG’s Spectacular Late Comeback

Trailing by two, PSG showcased their champion’s mentality. With five minutes left in regulation time, Lee Kang-in pulled one back with a precise strike into the bottom corner from outside the penalty area. 

The celebration was restrained, as the French side still needed one more goal to keep their hopes alive.

The equalizer arrived deep into stoppage time—specifically in the sixth minute of injury time—when a blistering attack down the right flank ended with Ousmane Dembélé delivering a sharp low cross into the box. 

Gonçalo Ramos bravely met the ball with a diving header, sending it past the goalkeeper and forcing the match into penalties.

Penalty Shootout Drama and the Decisive Moment

The shootout began with tension as Vitinha failed to convert his attempt for PSG, putting Tottenham in the driving seat. 

However, Chevalier redeemed himself by saving Van de Ven’s spot-kick, leveling the score at 2–2 after three rounds.

A missed penalty from Tottenham’s Mathys Tel handed PSG the advantage, which Lee Kang-in seized by converting his shot to put his team ahead. Pedro Porro momentarily kept Spurs in contention, but Nuno Mendes sealed PSG’s victory by confidently dispatching the final penalty.

With this triumph, PSG not only added another piece of silverware to their collection but also sent a clear statement to Europe’s elite: even amid significant squad changes, they remain a formidable force capable of producing moments of brilliance on the biggest stages.