By Daily Sports Nigeria on December 18, 2025

The Uefa Champions League winners followed in the footsteps of European rivals Real Madrid who last year won the inaugural title.

Contested by the six winners of continental championships, the Uefa Champions League winners get a bye into the final.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia opened the scoring for PSG seven minutes before half-time at the Ali Stadium in Qatar, before Jorginho equalised from the penalty spot in the 62nd minute.

There was nothing to separate the sides in the rest of normal time and 30 minutes of extra time, before PSG defeated the Copa Libertadores winners on penalties thanks to the goalkeeping heroics of Safonov.

After resting a string of players for Saturday's 3-2 win at Metz in Ligue 1, PSG named a strong team for this occasion but were without newly crowned FIFA Best player of the year Ousmane Dembele in their starting line-up.

They took the lead in the 38th minute when Georgian forward Kvaratskhelia found space at the back post to convert Desire Doue's low cross.

But that lead was wiped out when former Napoli, Chelsea and Arsenal midfielder Jorginho scored from the spot after Giorgian de Arrascaeta drew a foul from Marquinhos.

The French champions finished the game stronger after summoning Dembele from the bench for the final 12 minutes of regulation time, yet they could not find a way past goalkeeper Agustin Rossi for a second time.

Russian keeper Safonov's four consecutive saves in the shootout - to deny Saul Niguez, Pedro, Leo Pereira and Luiz Araujo - then proved decisive as PSG took a 2-1 win thanks to successful conversions from Vitinha and Nuno Mendes.

The Intercontinental Cup is the sixth trophy PSG have won in 2025.

After landing Ligue 1, Coupe de France and Champions League glory last season, Luis Enrique's side have added the Trophee des Champions, Uefa Super Cup and now this title.

Such success was reflected by Dembele landing his Fifa Best award on Tuesday, when Luis Enrique took the award for best men's coach.

Six of the 11 players in the team of the year also represented the French champions at some point in 2025.

PSG will be next in action when they face Vendee Fontenay Foot in the Coupe de France on Saturday (20:00 GMT).

Source BBC Sports

Posted December 18, 2025

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