Paris Saint-Germain claimed their second consecutive UEFA Super Cup title on Wednesday evening with a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa at the Red Bull Arena in Salzburg, Austria.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia opened the scoring before Désiré Doué secured the second-half winner, earning PSG their thirteenth trophy in sixteen competitions since manager Luis Enrique took charge of the French club.
Aston Villa had drawn level on the stroke of half-time through a left-footed volley from 17-year-old forward Brian Madjo, but the Champions League holders controlled the second half against Unai Emery's Europa League winners.
First half goals
Paris Saint-Germain took the lead in the 20th minute when Kvaratskhelia struck a powerful shot past Aston Villa goalkeeper Marco Bizot at the near post. The French side dominated early possession in Salzburg, playing on the same day Europe witnessed a solar eclipse and just two and a half months after securing back-to-back Champions League titles against Arsenal in a penalty shootout.
Aston Villa responded in the 45th minute after pressuring the Parisian defense during the final quarter-hour of the first half. Captain John McGinn delivered a precise cross into the penalty area, capitalizing on poor positioning by PSG defender Willian Pacho, who failed to track the incoming ball. Young striker Madjo connected with a left-footed volley to bring Villa level at 1-1 right before the interval.
The English side entered the fixture without several key international players following the summer World Cup. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, defender Ezri Konsa, and striker Ollie Watkins remained on holiday, while midfielder Amadou Onana missed out due to a serious injury sustained during the tournament. Villa were also adjusting to recent squad turnover following the summer departures of Youri Tielemans and Morgan Rogers.
Doue secures victory
Paris restored their lead in the 61st minute when Doué found the net after receiving a pass in the penalty area. The goal initially appeared to be offside to players and spectators, with Doué continuing his run to finish the attack while expecting a flag.
Following a review by the video assistant referee, the goal was officially awarded in the 62nd minute to put PSG ahead 2-1. Doué later explained to Canal Plus that he focused solely on finishing his opportunity, emphasizing that the team's mindset was to stay as competitive as possible and win every available trophy this season rather than focusing only on a third European title.
Villa attempted to press for an equaliser in the closing stages, but Paris managed the final minutes with veteran composure. In the 90th minute, defender Lucas Beraldo produced a solid tackle inside the box to deny Ross Barkley, before Emiliano Buendía sent a hard header wide of the target in stoppage time. PSG almost added a third goal when substitutes Ousmane Dembélé and Achraf Hakimi combined in the box, but the scoreline remained unchanged through six extra minutes.
Player reactions in Salzburg
Following the final whistle, captain Marquinhos lifted the European Super Cup alongside PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaïfi as Queen's We Are the Champions played across the stadium. The squad then carried the trophy to the pitch edge near their traveling supporters to celebrate the club's latest European success.
Luis Enrique was seen offering tactical guidance to Doué on the pitch during the post-match celebrations. Russian goalkeeper Matvey Safonov told reporters after the match that winning trophies was becoming business as usual for the team, adding that despite having only two days of training together after the summer break, the squad proved ready for the new campaign.
Safonov highlighted the collective spirit within the dressing room, stating that the entire squad remains unified regardless of short preparation times. PSG had previously won the Super Cup a year earlier in a 4-3 penalty shootout victory over Tottenham after recovering from 2-0 down in the 85th minute.
Squad selection and missing players
Luis Enrique made tactical adjustments to his lineup for the season opener, handing summer signing Maghnes Akliouche a starting spot alongside Warren Zaïre-Emery. Star winger Ousmane Dembélé started on the substitutes' bench alongside midfielder Fabian Ruiz, leaving Paris with a formidable starting team.
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery, who previously managed PSG, relied on familiar faces from French football. In addition to 17-year-old goalscorer Madjo, who made his professional debut with FC Metz early last season, Villa fielded former Brest goalkeeper Bizot and former Marseille midfielder Boubacar Kamara.
The fixture marked the start of a busy opening week for Paris Saint-Germain, coming four days before they face RC Lens in the Trophée des Champions at Stade Bollaert on Sunday evening.
Luis Enrique and Al Khelaifi speak
Luis Enrique told Canal Plus after the trophy presentation that he was not surprised by his team's success because he knows his players perfectly. He acknowledged that the match was complicated but described the performance as almost perfect, adding that winning requires constant ambition to capture every available title.
PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaïfi praised the team's performance, stating that starting the season with silverware reinforces the club's winning mentality. He noted that four or five players had trained only twice before the match, but praised the group as the best team in the world with the top manager, sports adviser, players, and supporters.
Al-Khelaïfi also addressed ongoing transfer market speculation surrounding winger Bradley Barcola, telling reporters that the club acts calmly behind closed doors and will see how negotiations progress. Asked about reports linking Barcelona forward Ferran Torres with a move to Paris, the president smiled and remarked that the media spoke frequently while he preferred to remain silent.
