In the Intercontinental Cup final held in Qatar, European champions Paris Saint-Germain were defeated by the South American team.
Published December 17, 2025
Paris Saint-Germain defeated Brazil’s Flamengo 2-1 on penalties in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup final in Qatar, with reserve goalkeeper Matvey Safonov saving four penalties.
After extra time on Wednesday, PSG took the lead through Hvica Kvaratsjeria and Jorginho’s spot-kick equalized for Flamengo, with the match ending 1-1.
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Copa Libertadores winners Flamengo defeated Mexico’s Cruz Azul and African champions Pyramid last week to earn the right to play PSG, and with tenacious play pushed the European champions to the end.
However, Luis Enrique’s team, which won by default in the final, felt indebted to Safonov and followed in the footsteps of Real Madrid, who won their first title last year.
PSG appeared to have taken the lead in the ninth minute when Fabian Ruiz deftly hooked the ball into an empty net after Flamengo goalkeeper Agustín Rossi made a botched clearance while trying to prevent a corner kick.
However, the goal was ruled out by VAR after Rossi failed to stop the ball from going out of play.
However, PSG broke the deadlock eight minutes before half-time thanks to another mistake from Rossi.
The Argentine made the easiest of tap-ins when he met Desiree Due’s low cross, which looked too strong for Kvaratskhelia, straight into the Georgian’s path.
However, Flamengo managed to continue in the game, but a VAR review showed Marquinhos was awarded a penalty with an hour remaining after he fouled Uruguay midfielder Jorgian de Arrascueta.
Former Chelsea and Arsenal player Jorginho took action in his trademark fashion to send Safonov the wrong way.
PSG brought on Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Dembele to create one last chance for Marquinhos in search of a winner.
However, the centre-back was unable to react quickly and was unable to put his shot on target as the ball crossed the goal and the match went into extra time.
Both teams had half-chances in the extra 30 minutes, with Dembele firing a shot in the 116th minute that went just wide of the target.
This sets the stage for Safonov to play in place of regular first-choice Lucas Chevalier, who is still returning to full fitness from an ankle injury, to steal the headlines and spare Dembele and Barcola the blushes of their absence at PSG.
