PSG vs Flamengo: Intercontinental Cup Champions 2023

PSG beat Flamengo on penalties and became champion of the Copa Intercontinental. After drawing 1-1 in a very close duel, the French team won the shootout thanks to an impressive performance by their goalkeeper, Matvey Safonovwho saved four penalties.

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The Parisian team took the lead at the end of the first half with a good collective play and an error by Agustín Rossi that allowed Khvicha Kvaratskhelia define with the free goal at the far post and push the ball.

PSG and Flamengo face each other in a final couple of the Intercontinental Cup. (Photo: EFE)

Flamengo’s equalizer came midway through the second penalty period after Marquinhos fouled De Arrascaeta and the VAR review. Jorginho, with his particular way of kicking from 12 steps, made it 1-1.

This parity was maintained during the 30 minutes of extra time, where fatigue was felt in the protagonists.

In the round, where the nerves take over the players, Safonov was the great figure of PSG: he saved four penalties and conditioned every shot of his rivals. This takes on much more relevance considering that the French team was not effective from the 12 steps: Dembélé missed his shot and Rossi saved a shot from Barcolá.

In this way, PSG became champion and extended European dominance in the tournament.

All the penalties from the final between Flamengo and PSG

Flemish

Nicolás de la Cruz (goal)
Saúl (the goalkeeper saved)
Pedro (the goalkeeper saved)
Leo Pereira (the goalkeeper saved)
Araújo (the goalkeeper saved)

PSG

Vitinha (goal)
Ousmane Dembéle (crossbar and outside)
Nuno Mendes (goal)
Barcolá (Rossi saved)

The goals from the Intercontinental Cup final between PSG and Flamengo

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s goal for PSG’s 1-0 win over Flamengo in the Intercontinental Cup final. (Video: DSports)

Jorginho’s penalty goal for Flamengo’s 1-1 draw against PSG in the Intercontinental Cup final. (Video: DSports)

How PSG reached the final of the Intercontinental Cup

For the Parisian team it is not just another game since they have to win can become the first French team to become world champion. No club from that country has so far managed to lift this trophy, which makes the match a historic opportunity.

PSG accessed this stage after winning the UEFA Champions League, an achievement that allowed them to qualify directly for the definition of the competition that brings together the continental champions.

For its part, Flamengo is going through dream weeks, undefeated in seven games in which they emerged victorious in four different competitions: the Copa Libertadores, the Brasileirao, the Derbi de las Américas and the Challenger Cup. (Reuters)

How Flamengo reached the final of the Intercontinental Cup

For its part, Flamengo, spend dream weekswith an undefeated record of seven games in which they emerged winners of four different competitions: the Copa Libertadores, the Brasileirao, the Derbi de las Américas and the Challenger Cup.

With the mission of returning the championship to America after thirteen years (Corinthians in 2012), the team from Rio seeks to repeat the epic achieved in 1981, when they were world champions after defeating Liverpool 3 to 0.