Key Takeaways:
- Desire Doue’s decisive second-half goal earned Paris Saint-Germain a 2-1 triumph over Aston Villa in Salzburg last night, making them the first team to retain the UEFA Super Cup since 2017
- Brian Madjo, aged 17, became both the youngest player to start and score in a Super Cup final, netting a first-half equaliser for Villa
- PSG have extended their unbeaten run against Premier League opposition to 11 matches, following previous season’s Super Cup win over Tottenham Hotspur
Match Overview and Tactical Analysis
Paris Saint-Germain lifted the UEFA Super Cup for the second successive season, overcoming a spirited Aston Villa side 2-1 in Salzburg. With nine of the starting line-up from the UEFA Champions League final against Arsenal returning, but several FIFA World Cup players only just back in training, PSG began the contest somewhat off-tempo.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia wasted little time adapting, breaking the deadlock in the 20th minute. The Georgian international delivered a trademark finish, cutting inside and blasting past Marco Bizot to notch his fifth goal against English sides from last season.
Superchampions d'Europe ! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/9AUlVrARrS
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_inside) August 12, 2026
Luis Enrique’s side, now with goals in 29 consecutive competitive fixtures, nearly increased their lead when Nuno Mendes surged into the area but failed to pick out a PSG colleague among four waiting in the box. Villa quickly threatened at the other end, as 17-year-old debutant Brian Madjo narrowly missed with a header from John McGinn’s delivery.
Key Moments and Player Impact
Madjo, making history as the youngest Super Cup final starter, crafted further opportunities before the interval. He headed over from close range and struck the post after brushing off Willian Pacho. However, persistence paid off in added time when Madjo volleyed McGinn’s cross into the roof of the net, becoming the youngest player ever to score in the fixture.
After the break, Ousmane Dembélé replaced PSG debutant Maghnes Akliouche, but it was Aston Villa who threatened first as McGinn forced Matvei Safonov into a save. PSG then restored their advantage in the 62nd minute when Desire Doue timed his run perfectly, finishing past Bizot. The offside flag initially denied the goal, but a VAR intervention confirmed its legitimacy.
Villa immediately sought a response, with George Hemmings shooting straight at Safonov on just his second start. Warren Zaire-Emery produced a crucial block to deny debutant João Gomes, and substitute Alysson delivered a dangerous ball across the six-yard area, but Villa were unable to capitalise. PSG withstood late pressure to clinch the trophy, leaving former manager Unai Emery still without a Super Cup win after four attempts, while Luis Enrique celebrated a third career victory in the competition.
Statistical Summary
| Fixture | Venue | Final Score | Goalscorers | Notable Achievements | Man of the Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSG v Aston Villa | Salzburg | 2-1 (PSG) | Kvaratskhelia 20′, Madjo 45+1′, Doue 62′ | PSG first to retain since 2017; Madjo youngest scorer/starter | Willian Pacho (PSG) |
Historic Context
Last year’s success against Tottenham Hotspur marked the second of Enrique’s three Super Cup triumphs, both coming against English opposition. With this result, Paris Saint-Germain’s unbeaten record against Premier League clubs extends to 11 matches, consisting of 10 wins and one draw.
