Overview
Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham Hotspur played out a thrilling UEFA Super Cup final in Udine. Spurs led by two goals for much of the night, only for PSG to hit back late through Kang-In Lee and Gonçalo Ramos. The French side then edged the shootout 4–3 to claim the first major European trophy of the season.
Line-ups and Tactics
- PSG set up in a 4-3-3 with Lucas Chevalier in goal; Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes provided width, while Ousmane Dembélé led the line flanked by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Bradley Barcola.
- Thomas Frank opted for a three-at-the-back system (Kevin Danso, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven) with wing-backs Pedro Porro and Djed Spence, and a compact midfield shield of Rodrigo Bentancur, João Palhinha, and Pape Matar Sarr ahead of Guglielmo Vicario.
First Half – Spurs Dominate with Set-Piece Precision
Tottenham stunned the Champions League holders midway through the first half.
- 39′: After a long clearance from Vicario, Romero’s header fell to Palhinha, whose effort hit the bar; Van de Ven reacted quickest to bundle home the rebound.
- 48′: Two minutes into the second half, Porro floated a free-kick to the back post and Romero planted a downward header past Chevalier to make it 2–0.
Spurs’ first-half plan was executed to perfection: defend compactly, press sharply, and exploit PSG’s aerial vulnerabilities on set pieces. For nearly an hour, the North London outfit frustrated Luis Enrique’s side virtually untouched.
Second Half – PSG’s Dramatic Comeback
A shift in momentum began around the 60th minute as PSG introduced Fabian Ruiz, Lee Kang-In, and Gonçalo Ramos.
- 85′: Lee, on as a substitute, arrowed a 20-yard strike into the bottom corner to halve the deficit.
- 90+4′: In the fourth minute of stoppage time, Ramos stooped to head home Dembele’s superb cross and forced spot-kicks.
The late goals were the result of tactical adjustments and fresh legs, showcasing PSG’s resilience despite limited preparation since their Club World Cup campaign.
Penalty Shootout
The shootout mirrored the match’s drama:
- Vitinha dragged wide – PSG miss their first.
- Rodrigo Bentancur sent Vicario the wrong way – Spurs 1–0 up.
- Ramos calmly scored – Spurs lead cut to 2–1.
- Van de Ven denied by Chevalier – pressure shifts.
- Dembélé coolly converted for PSG – 2–2.
- Tel glanced wide for Spurs – nerves show.
- Nuno Mendes smashed into the roof of the net to seal victory.
Turning Point
Lee Kang-In’s 85th-minute strike was the catalyst. It injected belief into PSG and unsettled Spurs just as they sensed a historic win. What looked like a routine evening for Thomas Frank’s side suddenly teetered on a knife-edge.
Key Match Statistics
| Statistic | PSG | Tottenham |
|---|---|---|
| Possession (%) | 74 | 26 |
| Total shots | 12 | 13 |
| Shots on target | 3 | 5 |
| Corners | 7 | 2 |
| Clear-cut chances | 1 | 0 |
| Passing accuracy (%) | 90 | 69.5 |
| Fouls committed | 12 | 12 |
| Yellow cards | 3 | 2 |
| Penalties | 4/3 | 3/4 |
| Final score | 2–2 | 2–2 |
| Penalty shootout | 4–3 (win) | 3–4 (loss) |
Man of the Match
Cristian Romero was a standout for Spurs. His headed opener and dominant defending in the first hour anchored a spirited display. Even in defeat, his leadership and aerial prowess earned him the plaudits.
Managers’ Reactions
Thomas Frank (Tottenham):
“In one game, we showed that we can play against any team in the world. I’m not in doubt that we can do that. That’s a positive I’ll take away from this.”
Luis Enrique (PSG):
“I am proud. We haven’t had much preparation,
but you could see that football is not only about the physical aspect – it is also about the mental, being in the right place, having the right tactics.”
What’s Next
- Tottenham kick off their Premier League campaign at home to Burnley on Saturday, 16 August.
- PSG begin their Ligue 1 defence with a Sunday night trip to Nantes.
Both teams will look to carry forward lessons from this pulsating encounter.
