PSG succeeded Real Madrid on the intercontinental throne by triumphing, this Wednesday, over Flamengo (1-1, 2-1 after penalties). In Qatar, Vitinha, João Neves and Nuno Mendes were starters for the Parisians, while Alex Sandro (ex-FC Porto) and Gonzalo Plata (ex-Sporting) started for the Brazilians.
Remember the history of this match.
In a tepid first half generally controlled by the Parisians, João Neves shot into the side net in the fifth minute, while Fabián Ruiz opened the scoring in the ninth minute. After goalkeeper Rossi avoided a corner and deflected the ball to João Neves, the Portuguese midfielder served Ruiz, who volleyed outside the area. However, the ball had come out when Rossi tried to avoid the corner. Thus, the score dropped to 0-0.
Between trials and yellow cards, Kvaratskhelia took advantage of a new offer from Rossi to definitively open the scoring in the 38th minute. Following Doué’s cross to the right, Flamengo’s goalkeeper deflected the ball to the Georgian, who scored his sixth goal of the season for PSG.
In the complementary stage, the final only got livelier at the hour mark, when Marquinhos brought down Arrascaeta in the area. Moments later, Jorginho deceived Safonov and scored his fifth goal in 32 games for Flamengo.
Between changes, PSG was unable to dismantle Flamengo’s defensive organization, exposing itself to counterattacks. Led by Plata, “Fla” accumulated good opportunities in the final minutes, but with no aim to complete the turnaround.
In the last play before extra time, at 90+6m, Marquinhos prevented another goal from the French. As a striker, the PSG captain deflected a cross from Dembélé in the wrong direction, making it 2-1 in the small area.
On the way to penalties, the pace slowed, PSG took control and Gonçalo Ramos didn’t leave the bench. But the final would only be decided on penalties, with Russian goalkeeper Safonov stopping shots from Saúl, Pedro, Léo Pereira and Araújo. In the middle, Dembélé shot over, while Vitinha and Nuno Mendes capitalized on the opportunity.
The former FC Porto midfielder was considered the best player in the Intercontinental Cup.
Check out the best photographs from this final in the associated gallery.
Thus, after losing the Club World Cup final to Chelsea in the summer, PSG adds the unprecedented Intercontinental Cup to its historic Champions League and European Super Cup triumphs.
On their return to France, PSG visits Fontenay – from the fifth division – on Saturday (8pm), regarding the “32nd round” of the French Cup. As for the championship, 2026 kicks off with Paris FC on January 4th.
As for Flamengo, the new year will start with the Taça Guanabara, the state tournament in Rio de Janeiro.
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