Paris Saint-Germain have retained the UEFA Super Cup after edging a spirited Aston Villa side 2-1 in a thrilling contest at the Red Bull Arena in Salzburg.
The Champions League holders secured back-to-back titles after Desire Doue struck the decisive goal in the 62nd minute, with the goal surviving a video assistant referee (VAR) check for offside.
PSG took the lead in the 20th minute through Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who produced a superb finish to put the French champions in front.
Villa, however, refused to buckle and found a dramatic equaliser just before half-time through 17-year-old Brian Madjo.
The England Under-17 international volleyed John McGinn’s cross into the net at the back post in the 45th minute to become the youngest-ever scorer in Super Cup history.
Madjo’s goal capped an extraordinary comeback from an eight-month battle to be allowed to play for Villa. FIFA had initially barred the club from registering the striker following his £10 million move from Metz in January, but Villa won an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) earlier this month.
The teenager had already gone close twice before scoring, firing one effort wide and heading another over the bar.
Madjo remained a physical menace to the PSG defence throughout the contest, but Villa could not find a second goal despite creating several opportunities.
PSG goalkeeper Matvey Safonov was forced into a number of important saves as Unai Emery’s side pushed for victory.
Villa entered the contest after winning the Europa League in May, but the defeat extended Emery’s miserable record in the competition. The Spanish coach has now lost all four of his Uefa Super Cup finals, including previous defeats with Sevilla and Villarreal.
For PSG, the triumph adds another trophy to their remarkable recent run and ensures they retain the crown they won last year after defeating Tottenham on penalties.
The match also made history off the pitch, with Somali referee Omar Artan becoming the first non-European official to take charge of the UEFA Super Cup.
Artan’s appointment came after he was denied entry into the United States for this summer’s World Cup.
