Safonov Hero As PSG Beat Flamengo To Win 2025 FIFA Intercontinental Cup

Doha: Substitute goalkeeper Matvei Safonov saved four penalties as Paris Saint-Germain defeated Brazilian Flamengo 2-1 to win the FIFA Intercontinental Cup final in Qatar on Wednesday.

The match ended 1-1 after extra time, with PSG putting the forward through Khvicha Kvaratskhelia before Jorginho’s spot-kick equalized for Flamengo.

Copa Libertadores champions Flamengo beat Mexican Cruz Azul and African champions Pyramids last week to earn the right to face PSG and pushed the European champions all the way with a dogged display.

However, Luis Enrique’s men, who had a bye in the final, were indebted to Safonov and followed in the footsteps of Real Madrid, who lifted their first title last year.

“I think it is impossible for this year to be repeated for Paris Saint-Germain. It is an unforgettable year,” said Luis Enrique.

“Six trophies, not bad. We have to keep going. It’s our mentality to keep winning and keep making history. That’s what we want.”

PSG thought they had taken the lead in the ninth minute when Fabian Ruiz cleverly slotted the ball into the empty net after Flamengo goalkeeper Agustin Rossi mistimed a shot trying to prevent a corner.

However, since Rossi could not narrowly prevent the ball from going out of play, the goal was deemed invalid by VAR decision.

However, PSG managed to break the deadlock eight minutes before half-time thanks to another Rossi error.

For the simplest of strikes, the Argentinian turned Desire Doue’s low cross, which looked too strong for Kvaratskhelia, directly into the Georgian’s pass.

However, Flamengo managed to stay in the game and, following a VAR review, were awarded a penalty on the hour mark for Marquinhos’ foul on Uruguayan midfielder Giorgian de Arrascaeta.

Former Chelsea and Arsenal player Jorginho has moved to send Safonov the wrong way in a trademark fashion.

PSG pressed for victory by sending on Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Dembele, who gave Marquinhos his last breath.

However, the centre-back could not react quickly enough to find the goal as the ball headed towards the goal and the match went into extra time.

Half-chances came and went for both teams in the added half-hour, with Dembele firing a shot that went narrowly off target in the 116th minute.

This set the stage for Safonov, who is still trying to regain full fitness after an ankle injury and playing in place of usual first-choice Lucas Chevalier, to steal the headlines and avoid embarrassment for Dembele and Barcola, both of whom are out of action for PSG.