PSG break Marseille hearts to start ’26 with trophy
Paris Saint-Germain fought back to beat Marseille 4-1 on penalties to win a dramatic Trophée des Champions in Kuwait.
Ousmane Dembélé put PSG ahead in the 13th minute, but Marseille were deservedly back on level terms through a second-half penalty from Mason Greenwood.
Marseille completed the comeback with three minutes left when Hamed Traore’s cross from the left was put into his own net by PSG defender Willian Pacho — only for Gonçalo Ramos to make it 2-2 deep into stoppage-time.
PSG goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier then saved Marseille’s first two spot-kicks in the shootout, before Désiré Doué converted the decisive penalty to secure a 4-1 victory for last season’s French double winners.
It was a dramatic way for Marseille to miss out on what would have been the club’s first trophy in 14 years and left some players in tears after the winning penalty found the net.
PSG, meanwhile, has now won 12 of the last 13 editions of the Tropheé des champions.
YASSER AL-ZAYYAT / AFP via Getty Images
Marseille had made a bright start at the Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium when Leonardo Balerdi’s header was tipped away by Chevalier.
PSG, though, went ahead in the 10th minute after their opponents were caught playing out from the back following a stray pass from goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli.
Igor Paixão then lost possession as PSG midfielder Vitinha worked the ball back to Dembélé at the edge of the penalty area, from where he lifted his shot over Rulli into the net.
Marseille, who were runners-up in Ligue 1 last season, looked to respond as Greenwood cut inside to fire a rising shot over the crossbar.
Roberto De Zerbi’s side went close to an equaliser again shortly before half-time when Paixao’s cross from the left was turned goalwards by Emerson, while Chevalier made a brilliant stop at point-blank range before Timothy Weah fired a long-range effort just wide.
Chevalier again showed good reflexes early in the second half to save first from Amine Gouiri’s angled shot and then Paixao’s close-range header.
When PSG did get themselves together as the hour mark approached, João Neves saw his shot saved by Rulli before Doué sent a 20-yard effort just wide of the left post.
Marseille were awarded a penalty in the 76th minute after Greenwood had latched onto a long ball through the centre and was brought down by Chevalier.
The former Manchester United striker got up to take the spot-kick, which he fired into the far corner.
Marseille completed the comeback with three minutes left when Hamed Traore’s cross from the left was put into his own net by Pacho as substitute Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang slid in through the six-yard box.
PSG, though, snatched a dramatic equaliser in the fifth minute of stoppage-time following a swift counter attack when Ramos volleyed in a knockdown from Bradley Barcola.
Chevalier saved Marseille’s opening two spot-kicks in the shootout from Matt O’Riley — on loan from Brighton — and then Traore.
After PSG had converted their first three, Amir Murillo then slotted past Chevalier before Doué stepped up to secure yet another trophy for the French giants.
Information from PA was used in this report.
