Producing what was a sensational late comeback on Wednesday night, PSG were crowned Super Cup champions in Udine thanks to a famous penalty shootout victory against Tottenham.
Officially getting Thomas Frank’s tenure underway over in Italy, the former Brentford boss saw his new squad hold a commanding two-goal advantage heading into the final five minutes as Spurs looked to be cruising towards a famous night at the Blueenergy Stadium.
However, although the defensive duo of Micky van de Ven and new skipper Cristian Romero might have found the net on either side of the half-time break, Tottenham suffered a remarkable last-gasp collapse.
Watching South Korean international Lee Kang-In start the recovery thanks to a sublime driven strike from 20 yards, it was then second-half substitute Goncalo Ramos who proved to be PSG’s hero as the ex-Benfica starlet headed home late in stoppage time.
With Wednesday’s showpiece event heading for penalties, former Wolves ace Vitinha missed PSG’s opening effort before van de Ven and Mathys Tel missed consecutive spot-kicks for Spurs.
Watching Portuguese defender Nuno Mendes hold his nerve, the French heavyweights added a Super Cup title to go along with their maiden Champions League crown.
Although Spurs might have eventually fallen short in the most spectacular of fashion here, they did push the reigning Champions League winners to the limit and should take plenty of positives away from an overall eye-catching performance in Udine.
On a night when PSG completed a famous European silverware sweep, we have taken a look at the main talking points from Wednesday’s Super Cup showdown.
Fatigued PSG produce a sensational comeback
Given additional time away following their Club World Cup adventure over in the United States last month, it is fair to say that PSG largely failed to find their tantalising best with much fluidity and they showed some real signs of rust.
Only officially returning to pre-season training seven days ago, Enrique will be the first to admit that the best is yet to come from his defending European champions.
While Bradley Barcola might have shown flashes down the left-hand side, attacking talisman and Ballon d’Or contender Ousmane Dembele was largely anonymous as PSG’s superstars flattered to deceive.
With Gianluigi Donnarumma not included in Enrique’s squad and suddenly at the heart of what has become a messy divorce from the French giants, PSG’s preparations certainly faced some public distractions.
However, shattering a string of records last season and with many now billing Enrique’s squad as the new poster boy of European football, PSG demonstrated why they can’t be overlooked at any time and Wednesday’s remarkable late comeback in Udine now hands them a fifth piece of silverware so far this calendar year.
A stark contrast for Spurs despite their heartbreak
Although Postecoglou might have ended Tottenham’s 17-year wait for a piece of silverware back in May as Spurs were crowned Europa League champions thanks to a 1-0 victory against Manchester United, that famous night in Bilbao was not enough to save the ex-Celtic boss from the chop.
Breaking a string of unwanted records last season as they finished the 2024/25 campaign with an infamous 17th-place finish among England’s elite, Tottenham have got a new era underway this summer.
Making the immediate decision to bring Frank over from Brentford, the Danish tactician travelled across the capital knowing that he had a tremendous amount of pressure on his shoulders.
Although Tottenham might have suffered what was an infamous Super Cup collapse over in Udine on Wednesday night, the Lilywhites must dust themselves down quickly and take the positives away from the improvements that they demonstrated here.
Showing signs of what they are capable of under Frank’s guidance and with their summer recruits appearing to make an immediate impact, Spurs did push the reigning European champions to the very limit on foreign soil.
Both camps now turn their attention to domestic duties
Eventually finishing the 2024/25 campaign holding a remarkable 19-point buffer over silver medalists Marseille, PSG astonishingly wrapped things up by the start of April.
Completing a history-making sweep across all fronts last season, it is no surprise that the reigning European champions are almost universally regarded as a landslide favourite to shatter more domestic records this time around.
Although PSG might have not had any real time off after their Club World Cup campaign and Wednesday’s Super Cup showdown in Udine, Enrique’s side will get the defence of their Ligue 1 title underway when they travel to Nantes this weekend.
Suffering real heartbreak in midweek and facing an immediate return to north London, Tottenham know that they can’t afford any signs of a hangover as they attempt to salvage some domestic credibility.
Slumping to that woeful 17th-place finish last season, Frank’s new squad will open up the 2025/26 campaign when they welcomed Premier League returners Burnley to the English capital on Saturday afternoon.
Match Report
PSG: Chevalier, Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes, Zaire-Emery, Vitinha, Doue, Kvaratskhelia, Barcola, Dembele
Subs: Ramos, Kang-In, Mbaye, Ruiz
Tottenham: Vicario, Porro, Danso, Romero, van de Ven, Spence, Bentancur, Palhinha, Sarr, Kudus, Richarlison
Subs: Bergvall, Gray, Solanke, Tel
Goals: PSG: Kang-In (85’), Ramos (90+4’) – Tottenham: van de Ven (39’), Romero (48’)
Yellow Cards: PSG: Barcola, Dembele – Tottenham: Danso, Richarlison
Red Cards: N/A
Referee: Joao Pinheiro
