PSG Secures Super Cup Title in Salzburg
Paris Saint-Germain secured a 2–1 victory over Aston Villa in Salcburk, Austria, to successfully defend their UEFA Super Cup title. Georgian forward Khvicha Kvaracchelija opened the scoring in the 20th minute before 17-year-old Brian Madjo equalized just before halftime to become the youngest goalscorer in the competition’s history. Désiré Doué sealed the trophy for the French champions with a 61st-minute strike, earning man-of-the-match honors as PSG claimed their 13th title under Luis Enrique.
Curtain-Raiser Kicks Off New Campaign
The clash at the seasonal curtain-raiser pitted the reigning UEFA Champions League winners against the UEFA Europa League holders. According to match reports, the fixture marked the first competitive outing of the new campaign for both clubs. Aston Villa entered the contest having played six pre-season friendlies, while PSG arrived with only two warm-up matches under their belt and several star players returning late from international duty following the World Cup.
Managerial Decisions Shape Starting Lineups
Luis Enrique opted to leave Ousmane Dembélé, Bradley Barcola, and Spanish midfielder Fabián Ruiz on the bench at kickoff. New signing Akliouche, acquired from Monaco, earned a starting nod in the attack. Meanwhile, Aston Villa manager Unai Emery fielded 35-year-old Dutch goalkeeper Joël Bizot in place of Emiliano Martínez, while star striker Ollie Watkins remained in England.
First-Half Flashpoints and Record-Breaking Equalizer
The opening breakthrough arrived mid-way through the first half. Bizot initially parried a sharp shot from Doué, but the defensive clearance fell short, allowing Kvaracchelija to loft an unstoppable shot underneath the crossbar. Aston Villa pressed for an equalizer, with Madjo hitting the post from a tight angle during an active first period.
Just before the halftime whistle, Madjo capitalized on a cross from Scottish captain John McGinn. His sixth attempt found the back of the net, leveling the score at 1–1 and etching his name into the record books as the youngest scorer in Super Cup history.
Doué Strike Decides the Trophy
Luis Enrique introduced Dembélé at the start of the second half to spark the Paris attack. The tactical shift paid off on the hour mark when Dembélé slipped a pass behind the defensive line for Doué. Doué raced clear and slotted his finish past the goalkeeper toward the far post. Though initial flags and doubts suggested an offside position, a video review confirmed the goal stood.
Aston Villa attempted to respond through late pressure, but Russian goalkeeper Matvey Safonov produced crucial saves to deny McGinn and 19-year-old newcomer Rory Hemmings. The English side picked up yellow cards for Pau Torres, Joao Gomes, and McGinn as they tried to disrupt PSG’s rhythm.
Exclusive Company for French Champions
With the win, PSG join an exclusive group as only the fourth club in history to successfully defend the Super Cup, matching a feat last achieved by Real Madrid in 2017. Unai Emery remained searching for his first Super Cup victory after four career attempts, while Luis Enrique added to his previous triumph with Barcelona in 2015 and last year’s penalty-shootout win over Tottenham.
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