Champions League victors Paris Saint-Germain lifted the European Super Cup for the first time after a late two-goal burst and a penalty shoot-out success over the Europa League winners Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday night.
Trailing to Micky van de Ven's 39th minute opener and a strike from skipper Cristian Romero just after the pause, Luis Enrique's side appeared impotent, imprecise and light years away from the outfit that had annihilated Inter Milan 5-0 to claim the Champions League trophy in Munich in May.
On the hour mark at the Stadio Friuli in Udine, Enrique sent on Fabian Ruiz for Khvicha Kvaratskelia and the PSG midfield began to bite with purpose in the final.
The introduction of Kang-in Lee and Ibrahim Mbaye injected further zest as Gonçalo Ramos added guile and muscle to the front line.
Tottenham Hotspur boss Thomas Frank responded to the PSG changes with striker Dominik Solanke and midfielder Archie Gray replacing Richarlison and Joao Palhinha.
But Tottenham's fresh legs provided neither menace in the penalty area nor the nous to arrest PSG's forward thrust.
Lee starts comeback
Lee halved the deficit after 85 minutes with a shot from just outside the penalty area across the Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario and into the right hand corner.
The equaliser with two minutes of stoppage-time remaining was refreshingly old school.
Achraf Hakimi released Ousmane Dembélé down the right wing and the France international whipped in the ball which Ramos met with a flying header to power the ball past Vicario and into the net.
"If I have to say one important thing for us, which was important last season, it's our faith," said Enrique. "We believe we can win all the time."
In the penalty shoot-out, Solanke and Rodrigo Betancur scored for Tottenham either side of Vitinha's slapstick run-up and miss for PSG.
Chevalier finds shoot-out redemption
Lucas Chevalier, at fault for Tottenham's second goal, atoned for his sins on his PSG debut parrying away Van de Ven's shot low down to his right and Dembélé levelled the shoot-out at 2-2.
Mathys Tel sent Tottenham's fourth penalty wide of the left hand post allowing Lee to nudge PSG ahead 3-2.
Though Pedro Porrro thundered Tottenham's final penalty home, Nuno Mendes slotted in PSG's fifth kick to seal a double comeback and PSG's fifth trophy of 2025 after the French Super Cup, Ligue 1 title, Coupe de France and the Champions League.
“We played a very good game against one of the best teams in the world, maybe the best at this moment in time," Frank told broadcaster TNT Sports.
"We had them exactly where we wanted them for 80-something minutes then it shifted momentum.
"But there are so many positives," he said. "I am so proud of the team, the players, the club and the fans.
"There is a lot to be happy with," added the 51-year-old Dane who joined Tottenham from Brentford following the departure of Ange Postecoglou.
PSG will travel back to Paris overnight to continue preparations for the Ligue 1 season which kicks off on Friday night with the game between Rennes and last season's runners-up Marseille. PSG, who finished 19 points ahead of Marseille to collect a record 13th top flight crown, play at Nantes on Sunday night.
"Tottenham played a great match," said Enrique. "They were stronger than us. I don't know if it's a fair result, but that's football.
"We had the ability to fight until the end but we can still improve. Lucas Chevalier was incredible and I'm very happy for him."
