PSG Stage Dramatic Late Comeback to Win UEFA Super Cup on Penalties

Paris Saint-Germain pulled off a thrilling late turnaround to claim the UEFA Super Cup, edging Tottenham Hotspur in a penalty shootout and denying Thomas Frank silverware in his first competitive match as Spurs manager, Sport360NG reports.

Tottenham looked destined for victory in Udine, leading 2-0 with just six minutes of normal time remaining. But PSG, the reigning European champions, mounted a spirited fightback. Lee Kang-in halved the deficit with a fine strike from distance, before substitute Gonçalo Ramos struck a 94th-minute header to force a shootout.

The penalty drama began with Vitinha missing PSG’s first effort, but Spurs failed to capitalise as Micky van de Ven, scorer of their opener, saw his attempt saved by Lucas Chevalier. After Mathys Tel fired wide for Tottenham, Nuno Mendes converted the decisive kick, sealing PSG’s first-ever Super Cup triumph.

The defeat denied Tottenham the chance to lift a second European trophy in just three months, having won the Europa League final against Manchester United in May under Ange Postecoglou. The Australian was dismissed shortly afterwards, paving the way for Frank’s arrival following his successful tenure at Brentford.

Spurs Impress Early but Falter Late

Tottenham struck first shortly before half-time. Chevalier pushed João Palhinha’s effort onto the bar, only for Van de Ven to react quickest and slot in the rebound. The French goalkeeper, set to take over as PSG’s No. 1 after Gianluigi Donnarumma was omitted from the squad, was beaten again early in the second half when Cristian Romero’s header from a Pedro Porro free-kick squeezed past his grasp.

For much of the contest, Spurs were disciplined defensively, employing a back five out of possession to restrict PSG to no shots on target for 65 minutes. But the French champions, who only resumed training a week earlier after losing the Club World Cup final to Chelsea in July, showed their resilience to claw back the deficit and eventually prevail.

Frustration but Signs of Progress for Frank

Before kick-off, PSG captain Marquinhos paraded the Champions League trophy, while new Spurs skipper Romero, replacing Son Heung-min after his move to Los Angeles FC, held aloft the Europa League. By the final whistle, it was Marquinhos celebrating again, this time with the Super Cup.

The loss was a bitter pill for Tottenham, who have won four European trophies in their history and were on course for a fifth. Still, there were positives: both goals came from set-pieces, an area Frank may look to exploit further.

Off the pitch, some supporters are preparing a protest against chairman Daniel Levy before Saturday’s Premier League opener against Burnley, frustrated by the club’s quiet summer in the transfer market.

Tottenham now turn their focus to their domestic campaign, hosting Burnley in three days’ time, while PSG begin their Ligue 1 title defence away to Nantes on Sunday.