Paris Saint-Germain claimed the UEFA Super Cup with a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa at the Red Bull Arena in Salzburg, continuing a dominant run for reigning Champions League titleholders in the annual fixture. Goals from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Désiré Doué secured the silverware for the French powerhouse, while 17-year-old forward Brian Madjo carved his name into the record books for the Premier League side.
How Paris Saint-Germain Sealed the Super Cup Trophy
The match in Austria opened with a brisk pace in front of an announced crowd of 27,681, according to match reports. Paris Saint-Germain struck first in the 20th minute when Aston Villa failed to clear their penalty area. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia pounced on the loose ball, rifling a firm right-footed shot past the defense to open the scoring. The Georgian winger, who previously troubled Bayern Munich during the previous season’s Champions League semifinals, rewarded his side’s early pressure.
Despite falling behind, Unai Emery’s side pushed forward for an equalizer. The English club managed to test the Parisian defense repeatedly before the break, with teenage newcomer Brian Madjo leading the charge. Just before halftime, Madjo broke through when defender Willian Pacho failed to halt his run, allowing the young striker to convert a cross with a sharp close-range volley.
Paris reclaimed the lead on the hour mark. Désiré Doué initially saw an effort disallowed for offside, but referee Omar Artan overturned the decision following a VAR review, validating the 61st-minute strike that ultimately proved decisive.
Brian Madjo Makes History for Aston Villa at 17
The evening belonged in part to teenage forward Brian Madjo, who used the stage to establish two notable competition records. At 17 years and seven months old, Madjo became the youngest player ever to start in a UEFA Super Cup match. Furthermore, his first-half goal made him the youngest goalscorer in the history of the tournament, surpassing a previous benchmark held by former Ajax star Patrick Kluivert.
Madjo’s appearance on the pitch followed significant administrative hurdles earlier in the summer. Reports indicate that Aston Villa secured the player’s registration through the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) at the beginning of August, overcoming an initial refusal by FIFA.
Tactical Roster Choices and Refereeing Milestone
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery opted to manage his squad carefully against his former club, leaving several key contributors out of the starting lineup. World Cup participants Ezri Konsa, Ollie Watkins, and Emiliano Martínez did not feature for the English side, while Johan Manzambi missed the fixture due to injury. In contrast, Paris Saint-Germain deployed a nearly full-strength star ensemble to secure the club’s latest continental honor.
The fixture also marked a historic moment off the pitch. Somali official Omar Artan became the first non-European referee to officiate a UEFA Super Cup. His appointment followed international attention surrounding his exclusion from officiating duties at the World Cup in the United States. Speaking ahead of the match, Artan acknowledged the difficulty of the preceding period and expressed gratitude to UEFA for the opportunity.
With the result, reigning Champions League winners extended their winning streak in the UEFA Super Cup to eight consecutive matches.
- FIFA President Gianni Infantino Faces Re-election Crisis as Top Officials Turn Against Him
- WNBA Denounces Transgender Debate And Confirms No Eligibility Issues
- What Makes an Online Sportsbetting Site Stand Out From the Rest? (breakinglatest.news)
- WHO Says Congo Ebola Outbreak Projected to Surpass Deadliest in History (bytewire.news)
