Late Drama, Penalty Nerves, and PSG’s Super Cup Steal Against Tottenham
Paris Saint-Germain just proved why they’re the European champions and why you never, ever count them out. Down 2-0 to Tottenham Hotspur with just six minutes left on the clock, PSG pulled off a comeback that felt straight out of a Hollywood script before clinching the UEFA Super Cup in a nerve-jangling penalty shootout.
For Spurs boss Thomas Frank, it was almost the perfect debut.
Tottenham’s Dream Start Under Frank
This was Frank’s first competitive game since replacing Ange Postecoglou, who had been shown the door just 16 days after guiding Spurs to Europa League glory. And for 84 minutes in Udine, Italy, things were going his way.
Micky van de Ven opened the scoring right before half-time, pouncing on a rebound after Lucas Chevalier tipped Joao Palhinha’s rocket onto the bar.
Cristian Romero doubled the lead early in the second half, his header just too strong for Chevalier to keep out despite the PSG keeper getting both hands to it.
At 2-0, it looked like Spurs were about to bag their second European trophy in three months. But then… PSG woke up.
PSG’s Late Revival
Lee Kang-in lit the spark in the 84th minute with a gorgeous 20-yard strike. Suddenly, Spurs were wobbling. Then, deep into stoppage time, substitute Gonçalo Ramos ghosted in to nod home the 94th-minute equaliser.
No extra time. No time to breathe. Straight to penalties.
The Shootout Saga
Paris blinked first, Vitinha missed their opening kick. Tottenham had the chance to put the pressure on, but hero-to-heartbreak struck for Van de Ven, whose penalty was saved by Chevalier.
Spurs faltered again as Mathys Tel shot wide, leaving Nuno Mendes to slam home the winner and seal PSG’s dramatic triumph.
Lucas Chevalier’s Big Statement
This wasn’t just any win for PSG, it was the first big test for Lucas Chevalier, the 23-year-old signed to replace Gianluigi Donnarumma as the club’s regular number one. Despite conceding twice, he produced crucial saves in open play and the shootout, showing exactly why PSG splashed the cash on him this summer.
The Bottom Line
Spurs were minutes from a statement win. Paris? They were minutes from disaster. But football is a 90-minute game (plus whatever stoppage time the ref fancies), and PSG’s never-say-die spirit snatched the Super Cup from Tottenham’s grasp.
It’s heartbreak for Frank in his first game, but for Paris saint-Germain, it’s another European trophy and a reminder to the rest of Europe: leave the door open, and they’ll crash the party.
Also Read- Why There’s No Extra Time In The UEFA Super Cup: Straight To Penalties Explained
