Paris Saint-Germain defeated Brazilian Flamengo 2-1 in a shootout to win the FIFA Intercontinental Cup final in Qatar today, with backup goalie Matvei Safonov saving four penalties.
According to AFP, PSG took the lead through Khvicha Kvaratskhelia before Jorginho’s penalty kick tied the score for Flamengo, resulting in a 1-1 draw after extra time.
Last week, Flamengo, the Copa Libertadores winners, defeated Pyramids of Africa and Cruz Azul of Mexico to gain the chance to play PSG. With a tenacious performance, they pushed the European champions all the way.
However, Luis Enrique’s team, who were denied a spot in the championship game, owed a debt to Safonov and emulated Real Madrid, who won the first title the previous year.
In the ninth minute, Flamengo goalkeeper Agustin Rossi miskicked a clearing while attempting to save a corner, and PSG appeared to have taken the lead when Fabian Ruiz deftly hooked the ball into an empty net.
However, Rossi had just missed stopping the ball from leaving play, so VAR disallowed the goal.
However, eight minutes before halftime, PSG managed to break the impasse thanks to another Rossi blunder.
Desire Doue’s low cross appeared to be too strong for Kvaratskhelia, but the Argentinean turned it directly into the Georgian’s pass for the most straightforward tap-in.
However, Flamengo managed to stay in the match, and following a VAR review, they were given a penalty for Marquinhos’ foul on Uruguay midfielder Giorgian de Arrascaeta at the hour mark.
In typical fashion, Jorginho, a former player for Chelsea and Arsenal, stepped up to send Safonov the wrong way.
Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Dembele, who created a last-second opportunity for Marquinhos, were sent on as PSG pushed for a winner.
However, as the ball flew across the goal and the game entered extra time, the center-back was unable to react fast enough to get his shot on target.
In the extra 30 minutes, both teams had half-chances, with Dembele’s attempt in the 116th minute going just wide.
That made it possible for Safonov, who replaced Lucas Chevalier, PSG’s regular first-choice who is still recovering fully from an ankle injury, to steal the show and spare Dembele and Barcola’s blushes.
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