Background and Context
Under the guidance of Luis Enrique, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) triumphed in the Intercontinental Cup by defeating Flamengo 2-1 on penalties in Qatar. This victory came after PSG’s previous loss to Chelsea 3-0 in the Club World Cup final in July in the United States.
The year 2025 has been exceptional for PSG, securing titles in the Supercopa, League, and French Cup, Champions League, European Super Cup, and now the Intercontinental Cup. This achievement mirrors the success of Barcelona in 2009 and Bayern Munich in 2020.
Match Summary
Russian goalkeeper Matvéi Safónov and PSG broke Flamengo’s hopes in the Intercontinental Cup, winning 2-1 on penalties after a 1-1 draw at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al-Rayyan, Qatar.
Safónov, a 26-year-old Russian, stopped four penalties, including those taken by Spanish player Saúl Níguez and Brazilian players Pedro, Léo Pereira, and Luiz Araújo.
Successful penalties for PSG came from Portuguese players Vitinha and Nuno Mendes, while Uruguayan Nicolás de la Cruz scored for Flamengo, winners of the Brazilian Serie A and Copa Libertadores.
Georgian Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scored for PSG in regular time (minute 38), and Italian international (of Brazilian origin) Jorginho equalized from the penalty spot in the 62nd minute.
“The Best Team in the World”
Flamengo’s Uruguayan midfielder Giorgian de Arrascaeta praised PSG, calling them “the best team in the world” after the match. Arrascaeta acknowledged that Flamengo managed to draw but lacked the stamina to complete a comeback.
Despite being sidelined due to recent physical issues, Ousmane Dembélé, the French forward and Ballon d’Or winner, started the game on the bench.
Luis Enrique opted for an attack featuring Désiré Doué, South Korean Kang-in Lee, and Kvaratskhelia. Flamengo’s coach Filipe Luís countered with his best lineup.
PSG dominated the match from the start, with an early goal opportunity nullified by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) after Argentine goalkeeper Agustín Rossi’s mistake.
Another error by Rossi led to PSG’s first goal, scored by Kvaratskhelia after Filipe Luís’ defensive lapse.
From De Rossi to Safónov
Flamengo’s coach Filipe Luís introduced Pedro in an attempt to break PSG’s impenetrable central defense, formed by Brazilian Marquinhos and Ecuadorian Willian Pacho.
The VAR intervened quickly, awarding a penalty after Marquinhos fouled Arrascaeta in the area.
Jorginho, a Mundial de Clubes champion with Chelsea in 2022, converted the penalty.
Luis Enrique responded by bringing on Dembélé, leaving no substitutes unused.
Late in stoppage time, Dembélé nearly scored but was thwarted by Marquinhos.
Penalties ensued, and it was Safónov’s turn to shine, with Flamengo’s penalty takers performing poorly.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who won the Intercontinental Cup in 2025? Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) defeated Flamengo 2-1 on penalties.
- Who was the Russian goalkeeper that played a crucial role in PSG’s victory? Matvéi Safónov stopped four penalties, securing the win for PSG.
- What was the score after regular time? The match ended 1-1, with PSG’s Kvaratskhelia and Flamengo’s Jorginho scoring.
- How has PSG’s 2025 been? PSG won six titles, including the Supercopa, League, French Cup, Champions League, European Super Cup, and Intercontinental Cup.
- What did Flamengo’s Giorgian de Arrascaeta say about PSG? De Arrascaeta called PSG “the best team in the world” after the match.
