PSG claims UEFA Super Cup title against Aston Villa
Paris Saint-Germain secured the UEFA Super Cup for a second consecutive year on Wednesday evening, overcoming Aston Villa 2-1 at Salzburg’s Red Bull Arena to join an exclusive club. Only AC Milan in 1990 and Real Madrid in 2017 had previously managed to retain the trophy in successive seasons, reports BritPanorama.
Luis Enrique’s side, fresh from claiming back-to-back Champions League crowns, faced a Villa team led by former PSG manager Unai Emery in the traditional curtain-raiser between Europe’s two continental competition winners.
Villa were significantly weakened for the occasion. Ollie Watkins, Ezri Konsa, and Emi Martinez were all left at home following their World Cup commitments, while the summer departures of Morgan Rogers and Youri Tielemans further depleted Emery’s options. Yet the Midlanders refused to wilt, with teenage striker Brian Madjo and fellow youngster George Hemmings ensuring PSG’s rearguard was far from comfortable.
The 17-year-old Madjo opened the scoring right on the cusp of half-time. After heading off target twice from enticing John McGinn deliveries, he found his reward when he volleyed home with his left foot from a McGinn cross, making him the youngest goalscorer in UEFA Super Cup history at just 17 years and 212 days old.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia had earlier put PSG ahead, striking a fierce left-footed effort beyond Villa goalkeeper Marco Bizot after 20 minutes. Beyond his goal, the Georgian winger was electric throughout the match, proving instrumental in PSG’s attacks.
Desire Doué scored the winner for PSG, having initially been ruled offside before VAR intervened to confirm the goal stood. Doué’s composed finish came on the hour mark after he cut inside following a threaded pass from Ousmane Dembélé, who had come on as a substitute.
Emery’s men pressed gamely in the closing stages, but PSG’s resolve held firm. This victory adds yet another accolade to Enrique’s impressive record, marking the 13th major honour of his tenure in Paris, just 74 days after his side defeated Arsenal on penalties to clinch a second successive Champions League title.
In an eventful night, the historic appointment of Somali referee Omar Artan as the first non-European official to oversee the Super Cup further highlighted a breaking of norms in the sport. As football continues to blend new inspirations with tradition, this match serves as a reminder of the evolving narratives that shape the game on a global scale.
