The UEFA Super Cup, European football's traditional season curtain-raiser, is a unique clash of champions. It pits the winners of the UEFA Champions League against the victors of the UEFA Europa League in a high-stakes, one-off final. This year's edition promised to be a historic encounter, as two of Europe's most ambitious clubs, Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham Hotspur, faced off in Udine, Italy. It was a battle not just for a trophy, but for early-season bragging rights and a psychological edge for the campaigns ahead.
The Contenders: A Glimpse into Two European Heavyweights
Paris Saint-Germain: The French Treble Winners
PSG arrived in Udine on the back of their most successful season in the club's history. Under the guidance of manager Luis Enrique, the Parisians had achieved a domestic treble, dominating Ligue 1 and the French Cup. Most impressively, they finally captured the one trophy that had long eluded them: the UEFA Champions League, with an emphatic 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in the final. This marked their fifth trophy of the calendar year 2025. Despite this success, a shock defeat to Chelsea in the FIFA Club World Cup final served as a slight blip.
PSG's pre-season was notably short, with players only returning to training six days before the Super Cup and playing no friendly matches. This meant they entered the high-stakes encounter with potential rustiness. The match also saw the debut of new goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier, who replaced the outgoing Gianluigi Donnarumma as the first-choice keeper. Key players like Ousmane Dembélé, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Désiré Doué were expected to lead their attack.
Tottenham Hotspur: The Europa League Champions
For Tottenham, the 2024/25 season was a rollercoaster. Despite a disappointing 17th-place finish in the Premier League, their heroic run in the UEFA Europa League culminated in a sensational 1-0 victory over Manchester United in the final, ending a 17-year trophy drought. The appointment of Thomas Frank as the new manager ushered in a new era, with the Danish coach taking charge of his first competitive match.
Frank's Spurs side entered the new season with a point to prove. They were missing key players like James Maddison (ACL injury) and Yves Bissouma (disciplinary reasons). However, significant new signings like João Palhinha, Mohammed Kudus, Dominic Solanke, and Mathys Tel were ready to make an impact. Cristian Romero was also announced as the new club captain, adding another layer of significance to the match.
First Half: Spurs Seize the Initiative
The match, played under balmy 27°C conditions in Udine, saw Tottenham start brightly. PSG, understandably rusty from their reduced pre-season, struggled to find their rhythm, uncharacteristically giving the ball away with loose passes. Tottenham, under Thomas Frank, executed a disciplined game plan, often deploying a 5-3-2 formation in defense and transitioning to a 4-3-3 in attack. Their high press, led by Kudus and Pape Sarr, effectively disrupted PSG's flow, limiting the Parisians to no shots on target in the first half.
Spurs capitalized on their dominance in the 38th minute. Mohammed Kudus' pressing won a free-kick, and Guglielmo Vicario's long ball was nodded back by Romero. João Palhinha's powerful volley was tipped onto the bar by debutant Lucas Chevalier, but Micky van de Ven reacted quickest to tap in the rebound, giving Spurs a deserved 1-0 lead. Moments later, Kudus nearly doubled the advantage, hitting the post with a diving header after Richarlison's flick-on. The halftime whistle blew with Tottenham firmly in control.
Second Half: Drama Unfolds and PSG's Late Rally
Tottenham continued their strong performance into the second half, stunning PSG just three minutes after the restart. Cristian Romero, the newly appointed captain, rose unmarked to head in Pedro Porro's precise free-kick, doubling Tottenham's lead. Chevalier's weak save attempt drew scrutiny, highlighting a mixed debut for the young goalkeeper.
Despite being 2-0 down, PSG showed the "winning steel" of European champions. Luis Enrique responded with tactical changes, introducing substitutes like Fabián Ruiz, Gonçalo Ramos, and Lee Kang-in. These changes sparked life into PSG's attack. In the 85th minute, Lee Kang-in, receiving a lay-off from Vitinha, unleashed a stunning long-range strike into the bottom corner, pulling one back for PSG and reigniting their hopes.
The drama wasn't over. As the clock ticked into stoppage time, PSG's persistence paid off. In the 94th minute, Ousmane Dembélé's pinpoint cross found Gonçalo Ramos, who coolly headed home to level the score at 2-2. The dramatic equalizer sent the match straight to a penalty shootout, as per UEFA's no-extra-time rule for the Super Cup.
Penalty Shootout: Nerves of Steel
The Stadio Friuli buzzed with anticipation as the penalty shootout commenced. Tottenham took an early lead after Vitinha's first-up miss for PSG. However, Spurs faltered under pressure. Micky van de Ven saw his spot-kick saved by Lucas Chevalier, and Mathys Tel, Tottenham's €35 million signing, missed wide. Chevalier, despite a mixed performance in regulation, emerged as the hero in the shootout, making a crucial save. Nuno Mendes then converted the decisive spot-kick, securing the trophy for PSG with a 4-3 shootout victory.
Tactical Insights and Key Performances
Thomas Frank's Spurs: Frank's tactical approach earned widespread praise. His team executed a disciplined game plan, employing a high press and effectively utilizing set pieces, including long throws and free-kicks. João Palhinha was a vital anchor in midfield, while Mohammed Kudus was tireless and effective in his ball-carrying and combinations with Richarlison. Cristian Romero, as the new captain, also made a significant impact, scoring a goal. Frank himself stated that Tottenham "played almost perfectly" and praised his team's "mentality".
Luis Enrique's PSG: PSG showed initial rustiness, which Luis Enrique attributed to their shortened pre-season. However, their resilience and ability to find sharpness late in the game were evident. The impact of substitutes was crucial, with Lee Kang-in scoring a stunning long-range goal and Gonçalo Ramos netting the equalizer from Ousmane Dembélé's assist. Luis Enrique admitted his team was "very lucky" in the final 10 minutes but lauded his players' faith.
Post-Match Reactions and Implications
PSG's Triumph: This Super Cup title marks PSG's first-ever success in the competition. It is their fifth trophy of the calendar year 2025 and a perfect start to the 2025/26 season, reinforcing their European dominance. The victory underscores Luis Enrique's commitment to long-term success and the collective determination of his young team.
Tottenham's Heartbreak: For Thomas Frank, it was a tough loss in his first competitive match, but the performance showed immense promise and a strong foundation for the season ahead. Despite the heartbreak, Tottenham gained valuable experience against elite opposition, which will serve them well as they look to climb the Premier League table and compete for more silverware.
The match served as a compelling preview of the tactical battles and competitive spirit expected in the upcoming European season, setting a high bar for the football to come.
A Memorable Start
The 2025 UEFA Super Cup delivered a thrilling spectacle, with Paris Saint-Germain emerging victorious over Tottenham Hotspur in a dramatic 2-2 draw followed by a penalty shootout. The match showcased both teams' strengths and weaknesses, providing a memorable start to the new European football calendar. While PSG celebrated a hard-fought triumph, Tottenham's resilient performance under their new manager offered a glimpse of a promising future.