Paris Saint-Germain claimed their second consecutive UEFA Super Cup title on Wednesday after defeating English side Aston Villa 2-1 in the official opener of the European football season.
Goals from Kvaratskhelia and Doué secured victory for the reigning Champions League winners, while 17-year-old forward Brian Madjo scored the sole goal for Europa League champions Aston Villa.
The match began evenly as PSG attempted to establish technical dominance without creating major early scoring opportunities. The French side threatened with long-range shots from Vitinha and Doué before opening the scoring in the 20th minute of the first half, when Kvaratskhelia scored with a striking effort from distance.
Aston Villa responded with sustained attacking pressure in search of an equalizer. PSG were unable to hold off the English club's offensive momentum, and Villa leveled the score in the closing minutes of the first half through a fine finish from young attacker Brian Madjo.
Doue restores the lead
PSG introduced Dembelé after the half-time break to regain control of the game. Aston Villa created early danger in the second period when midfielder John McGinn tested goalkeeper Safonov, who made the save to keep the score level.
The French club retook the lead 15 minutes into the second half through Doué. Match officials initially disallowed the goal for offside, but semi-automated offside technology and VAR reviewed the decision and validated the play.
The match was officiated by Somali referee Omar Artan, who was previously barred from entering the United States during the last World Cup.
Second straight Super Cup
Aston Villa failed to mount another comeback after the second goal, leaving PSG to seal the win without facing a late equalizer that would have sent the match to a penalty shootout.
The victory gave PSG their first piece of silverware of the new campaign. The French champions also won the UEFA Super Cup last season, when they defeated Tottenham Hotspur on penalties.
The UEFA Super Cup is an annual match contested between the reigning champions of UEFA's two main European club competitions, the Champions League and the Europa League. PSG, based in Paris, qualified as Champions League titleholders, while Birmingham-based Aston Villa earned their place by winning the Europa League.
