European champions Paris Saint-Germain staged a remarkable comeback from 2-0 down with just five minutes remaining to defeat Europa League holders Tottenham Hotspur 4-3 on penalties in a dramatic UEFA Super Cup final on Wednesday.
Tottenham appeared poised to hand new manager Thomas Frank a dream start until PSG substitute Lee Kang-in reduced the deficit in the 85th minute, before Gonçalo Ramos headed home an equaliser four minutes into stoppage time to make it 2-2.
In the ensuing shootout, Mathys Tel and Micky van de Ven failed to convert for Spurs, allowing Nuno Mendes to dispatch the decisive penalty. PSG’s players erupted in celebration, securing their place in history as the first French club to lift the trophy.
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“It’s incredible to win like this. This team once again showed character, even if we’re not at our physical best,” PSG captain Marquinhos said. “We got the goals we needed through our substitutions, and in the shootout we had confident penalty takers and a goalkeeper who delivered for us.”
Spurs, who finished 17th in last season’s Premier League, had taken the lead when Van de Ven pounced on a rebound, before Cristian Romero doubled their advantage with a header. PSG, crowned European champions in May with a 5-0 demolition of Inter Milan in the Champions League final, pressed relentlessly in the closing stages. Lee struck crisply to halve the deficit, and Ramos met Ousmane Dembélé’s pinpoint cross with a diving header to force penalties.
“It’s difficult to put this match into words… We trained for only five or six days, it’s incredible,” PSG coach Luis Enrique said. “For us, it’s really special to win this trophy and present it to our fans.”
