PSG retain UEFA Super Cup with 2-1 win over Aston Villa

Paris Saint-Germain have retained the UEFA Super Cup, defeating Aston Villa 2-1 in Salzburg to add another trophy to their recent collection. The victory follows their successful defence of the Champions League title, which saw them overcome Arsenal on penalties in Budapest earlier this week. The Super Cup is contested annually between the winners of Europe’s premier club competitions, the Champions League and the Europa League.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia opened the scoring for the French side with an early strike, capitalising on a loose ball to give PSG the lead. The match remained tense as Aston Villa pushed for an equaliser, but it was Désiré Doué who ultimately decided the contest. Doué scored the winning goal late in the game, a finish that was awarded following a lengthy VAR review.

The decisive moment came after Ousmane Dembélé, who had come on as a substitute at half-time, provided the assist for Doué’s goal. The French forward’s contribution shifted the momentum, earning him a rating of seven from Yahoo Sports, while Doué was named player of the match with a score of nine. Kvaratskhelia also received high marks, rated at eight for his direct and dangerous performance throughout the match.

Aston Villa presented a formidable challenge, with several players receiving positive assessments for their defensive efforts. Marco Bizot, Matty Cash, Victor Lindelöf, Pau Torres, Ian Maatsen, and Boubacar Kamara all received ratings of six. However, Willian Pacho was rated lower at five after being bundled aside for Villa’s equaliser, despite completing all 70 of his passes. Torres received a second-half booking that was described as harsh-looking.

The win marks the second major trophy for PSG this season, cementing their status as European champions. However, their recent triumphs have been accompanied by significant off-field issues. Following their Champions League victory, clashes in Paris resulted in more than 280 arrests, highlighting the social tensions surrounding the club’s success. Despite the controversy, PSG’s on-field performance in Salzburg demonstrated their continued dominance in European competition.