PSG edges Villa 2-1 for UEFA Super Cup glory
Photo: REUTERS
PSG displayed their winning experience and tactical brilliance to defeat Aston Villa 2-1, securing back-to-back UEFA Super Cup titles.
Despite facing heavy pressure from a resilient Villa squad at Stadion Salzburg in Austria, the European champions utilized their individual quality to claim another trophy. On an evening featuring a solar eclipse across Europe, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia opened the scoring in the 20th minute.
Georgian standout collected a pass from Désiré Doué before cutting inside and firing a fierce trademark shot past goalkeeper Marco Bizot.
Aston Villa reacted positively to the deficit, spearheaded by 17-year-old debutant Brian Madjo. At 17 years and 212 days, Madjo became the youngest player on record to start and score in a Super Cup match.
After hitting the post and missing earlier chances, Madjo equalized on the stroke of halftime by steering home a volley from a John McGinn cross.
Villa maintained their momentum into the second period, where captain John McGinn forced a save from Matvei Safonov with a bending strike. However, PSG reclaimed the lead in the 61st minute against the run of play.
Désiré Doué latched onto a precise through ball from substitute Ousmane Dembélé and finished with aplomb past Bizot. Unai Emery introduced Tammy Abraham and Ross Barkley to find a second equalizer, but the stubborn PSG defense refused to break.
Ultimately, Luis Enrique’s side celebrated a successful start to their new European campaign.
