Paris Saint-Germain lifted the Intercontinental Cup after a nerve-shredding final against Flamengo, decided in a penalty shootout (2-1 on penalties), with a heroic Matvey Safonov.
In a red-hot Khalifa Stadium in Doha, PSG started strongly and imposed intense pressing. After an early goal from Fabian Ruiz was eventually ruled out by VAR, the Parisians were rewarded in the 38th minute. Perfectly found at the far post, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia finished into an empty net to give PSG the lead before half-time.
After the break, Flamengo raised their level. On the hour mark, a contact between Marquinhos and De Arrascaeta was punished with a penalty following a VAR review. Jorginho kept his cool and equalised (1-1), completely relaunching the final. The match then turned into a fierce battle, with PSG creating chances but failing to regain the advantage despite the introduction of Ousmane Dembélé.
Extra time did not change the script. Paris pushed, Flamengo resisted, and the trophy was ultimately decided by a penalty shootout. That is when Matvey Safonov stepped into another dimension. The Russian goalkeeper saved four Brazilian penalties, denying De la Cruz, Saúl, Pedro and Leo Pereira in succession.
Four saves from Safonov
Despite a missed attempt from Dembélé and a match point wasted by Barcola, Safonov sealed the fate of the final with one last decisive save.
Thanks to their goalkeeper, PSG won 2-1 on penalties and claimed the Intercontinental Cup, adding another major trophy to an already historic season for the Parisian club. Immense on the night, Safonov was the undisputed hero.
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