By 
Udine, Italy — European champions Paris Saint-Germain opened their 2025–26 campaign in thrilling fashion by defeating Tottenham Hotspur 4-3 on penalties in the UEFA Super Cup, after staging a dramatic late comeback to draw 2-2 in regulation time.
The victory at the Stadio Friuli marked a historic moment: it was the first time PSG — or any French club — has lifted the UEFA Super Cup. For Luis Enrique’s side, it was not just another trophy, but their fifth piece of silverware in 2025 alone, continuing their recent dominance in domestic and European football.
The Match Narrative
Tottenham, last season’s UEFA Europa League winners, appeared poised for glory in their first competitive outing under new head coach Thomas Frank. In a disciplined and tactically compact performance for much of the match, Spurs led 2-0 just minutes into the second half.
The opening goal came in the 39th minute when Dutch defender Micky van de Ven reacted fastest after PSG goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier tipped a shot from Joao Palhinha onto the crossbar. Van de Ven pounced on the rebound, slotting home from close range to give the North London club a deserved lead going into the break.
Three minutes after the restart, Cristian Romero doubled Tottenham’s advantage. Left unmarked in the PSG box, the Argentine World Cup winner rose to meet a looping cross and powered his header past Chevalier, who could only watch as the ball nestled in the net. At 2-0, Tottenham were in full control, looking sharper and more cohesive despite their own limited pre-season preparations.
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PSG’s Patience andPersistence
For much of the second half, it looked like PSG’s night was heading toward disappointment. A 61st-minute strike from Bradley Barcola was ruled out for offside after a VAR review, adding to the frustration of the reigning Champions League winners. Spurs were content to sit deep, absorbing pressure and waiting for counter-attacking opportunities — a tactic that PSG captain Marquinhos later warned was “dangerous” against a side with such firepower.
The breakthrough finally came in the 85th minute when Lee Kang-in, introduced as a second-half substitute, latched onto a pass from Vitinha. The South Korean international showed superb composure, taking one touch to set himself before driving a low, angled shot into the far corner from the edge of the box.
The goal changed the mood instantly. Tottenham, who had defended with discipline for most of the match, suddenly looked rattled. PSG sensed vulnerability.
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Gonçalo Ramos’ Last-Gasp Equaliser
With time almost up, PSG threw everything forward. In the 94th minute, Ousmane Dembélé surged down the right flank and delivered a perfectly weighted ball across the face of goal. Gonçalo Ramos, timing his run to perfection, met it with a diving header that flew past Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario.
The equaliser sent the PSG bench into raptures and silenced the pockets of Tottenham fans already preparing for a celebratory night. For the neutral, it was the perfect setup for a dramatic conclusion.
The Shoot-out
Penalty shoot-outs are often described as lotteries, but in Udine, PSG’s composure and the heroics of debutant goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier proved decisive.
The shoot-out began poorly for PSG when Vitinha sent their first effort wide. Spurs immediately capitalised with Dominic Solanke converting his attempt. But Chevalier soon made amends, diving to deny Van de Ven’s strike.
From there, PSG found their rhythm. Ramos, Dembélé, and Lee Kang-in all scored, while Tottenham’s Rodrigo Bentancur and Pedro Porro converted but Mathys Tel missed for Spurs at a crucial moment.
That set the stage for Nuno Mendes, who stepped up with confidence and drilled the winning penalty into the bottom corner, sealing a 4-3 shoot-out victory and sparking jubilant celebrations.
Historic First for French Football
The UEFA Super Cup has traditionally been dominated by clubs from Spain, England, and Italy. PSG’s win marks the first time a French side has lifted the trophy, underlining the club’s continued growth on the European stage.
“This is more than just a win; it’s a statement,” said Marquinhos. “We’ve had little preparation, but football is not only about the physical aspect. It’s also about mentality, intelligence, and belief. Tottenham sat back after going 2-0 up, and against PSG, that can be dangerous.”
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Luis Enrique’s Tactical Gamble Pays Off
PSG entered the match under unique circumstances. Having lost the FIFA Club World Cup final to Chelsea just a month ago, their squad was granted only a brief off-season. Pre-season training began just a week before this fixture, and no friendly matches were scheduled.
Luis Enrique opted for a cautious starting XI, integrating new goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier, signed from Lille, while resting some senior players on the bench. The decision to introduce Lee Kang-in and Ramos in the second half proved pivotal. Both substitutes not only scored but injected fresh energy and unpredictability into PSG’s attack.
Tottenham’s Promising but Painful Start
For Thomas Frank, this was an encouraging yet ultimately bitter debut as Spurs manager. His side displayed tactical discipline and pressed PSG effectively in the first half, with new signings Mohammed Kudus and Joao Palhinha making strong starts.
Palhinha, in particular, was a dominant presence in midfield, breaking up PSG’s rhythm and creating the chance that led to the opening goal. Kudus showed flashes of creativity, linking well with Richarlison in attack.
However, the decision to retreat deeper after the second goal left Spurs vulnerable. “When you invite a team like PSG to attack you, you’re asking for trouble,” noted one pundit post-match.
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Chevalier Steps into the Spotlight
The 23-year-old Lucas Chevalier had an eventful debut. While he was arguably at fault for Romero’s header, his crucial penalty save from Van de Ven shifted the momentum in PSG’s favour during the shoot-out.
Chevalier’s arrival has temporarily displaced Italy’s Gianluigi Donnarumma from the starting lineup — a bold move by Luis Enrique. If this performance is any indication, the French goalkeeper could be set for a significant role this season.
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The Road Ahead
For PSG, the win adds yet another trophy to an already glittering year. They now turn their attention to the Ligue 1 opener against Nantes on Sunday, with Luis Enrique eager to manage workloads given the shortened preparation period.
Tottenham, meanwhile, will seek to regroup quickly. Their Premier League campaign begins at home against Burnley on Saturday, and Thomas Frank will hope his players carry forward the positives from their performance in Udine while learning from the tactical lapse that allowed PSG back into the game.
A Trophy of Symbolism
For PSG’s Qatari owners, the UEFA Super Cup may not carry the same prestige as the Champions League, but it is a valuable milestone. It cements PSG’s place among Europe’s elite and demonstrates resilience — the ability to claw back from the brink and deliver under pressure.
For Tottenham, the night was a reminder of how fine the margins are at the top level. They were 10 minutes from their first European trophy since 1984, only to watch it slip away.
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