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PSG overcome tough Aston Villa test to begin season with UEFA Super Cup triumph

PSG celebrate with the trophy
PSG celebrate with the trophyREUTERS / Angelika Warmuth

Paris Saint-Germain became the first team to retain the UEFA Super Cup since 2017 as Desire Doue’s second-half strike secured a 2-1 win over Aston Villa in Salzburg.

Nine of PSG’s starting XI began the UEFA Champions League (UCL) final against Arsenal in May, but with many of their FIFA World Cup stars returning to training only last week, the French giants took time to find their rhythm.

One player who needed no time to get up to speed was Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who gave the UCL holders a 20th-minute lead when he cut inside and beat Marco Bizot with a powerful strike to add to his four goals against English sides last season.

Kvaratskhelia opened the scoring for PSG
Kvaratskhelia opened the scoring for PSGREUTERS / Gintare Karpaviciute

Luis Enrique’s men have now scored in 29 competitive games in a row, and they should have doubled the advantage when Nuno Mendes raced in behind, but he somehow failed to find all four PSG players in the box with his cut-back. 

They were nearly punished moments later, when 17-year-old Villa debutant Brian Madjo – who became the youngest player to start a Super Cup final – headed just wide from John McGinn’s cross.

Match stats
Match statsFlashscore

The teenager had two more excellent chances as the UEFA Europa League winners ended the half strongly, nodding over the crossbar from inside the six-yard box and striking the outside of the post after outmuscling Willian Pacho.

Yet Madjo eventually made it fourth time lucky on the stroke of half time, as he met McGinn’s cross with a first-time volley into the roof of the net to become the youngest goalscorer in Super Cup history.

Madjo celebrates his goal
Madjo celebrates his goalREUTERS / Angelika Warmuth

Ousmane Dembele replaced PSG debutant Maghnes Akliouche at half time, but Villa had the first chance after the restart when McGinn’s curling effort forced Matvei Safonov into a save.

However, Enrique’s side regained the lead just after the hour mark when Doue sprung the offside trap and slotted past Bizot, with the goal initially disallowed for offside, only to be given after a VAR check. 

Doue celebrates his goal
Doue celebrates his goalREUTERS / Angelika Warmuth

George Hemmings should have equalised immediately on just his second Villa start, but the 19-year-old shot straight at Safonov.

Warren Zaire-Emery denied Villa debutant Joao Gomes with a fantastic block 17 minutes from time, before lively substitute Alysson sent an inviting ball across the six-yard box that was begging for a touch.

However, PSG held on to leave their former manager Unai Emery still waiting to lift the Super Cup after four attempts, while opposite number Enrique has now won the competition three times.

The past two of those victories have come against English opposition, having beaten Tottenham Hotspur 12 months ago, with Les Parisiens now undefeated in 11 matches against Premier League sides (W10, D1).

Flashscore Man of the Match: Willian Pacho (Paris Saint-Germain)

See all the stats from the match here

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