PSG beat Flamengo to win the FIFA Intercontinental Cup, with goalkeeper Matvei Safonov saving four penalties in a 2-1 shootout victory
SUBSTITUTE goalkeeper Matvei Safonov saved four penalties to secure the FIFA Intercontinental Cup for Paris Saint-Germain.
PSG defeated Brazilian side Flamengo 2-1 in a shootout after a 1-1 draw following extra time in Wednesday’s final in Qatar.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia gave the European champions a first-half lead before Jorginho’s penalty levelled the match for the Copa Libertadores winners.
Flamengo had earned their place in the final with victories over Cruz Azul and Pyramids FC last week.
PSG manager Luis Enrique hailed an “unforgettable year” for the club after securing a sixth trophy.
“We must keep going,” he said. “It’s our mentality to keep winning and keep making history.”
PSG had an early goal disallowed by VAR after Flamengo goalkeeper Agustin Rossi’s miskicked clearance.
Kvaratskhelia eventually opened the scoring after Rossi turned a low cross directly into his path.
Flamengo’s equaliser came from the penalty spot following a VAR-reviewed foul by Marquinhos.
PSG pushed for a late winner, with Ousmane Dembele creating a chance for Marquinhos in added time.
The match went to extra time, where both teams had opportunities to score before the shootout.
Safonov, playing in place of the injured Lucas Chevalier, became the hero by saving four Flamengo penalties.
His saves compensated for missed spot-kicks by Dembele and Bradley Barcola in the shootout.
The victory means PSG follow Real Madrid as winners of the Intercontinental Cup. – AFP
