PSG vs Tottenham: Overview


Paris Saint-Germain pulled off a remarkable comeback to defeat Tottenham Hotspur in the 2025 UEFA Super Cup, prevailing 4-3 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in regulation time at the Bluenergy Stadium in Udine. The annual showpiece event, which pits the Champions League winners against the Europa League champions, delivered a spectacle worthy of the occasion as both teams demonstrated why they were deserving of their place on this prestigious stage.
PSG, representing France as Champions League holders, entered the match as slight favorites but found themselves stunned when Tottenham raced to a 2-0 lead. Micky van de Ven opened the scoring with a powerful header in the 39th minute, before Cristian Romero doubled the English side's advantage shortly after halftime with a well-placed finish in the 48th minute.
With the match seemingly slipping away, Luis Enrique's side showcased their championship mentality with a late resurgence. Lee Kang-in breathed life into the French champions with a crucial goal in the 85th minute, before substitute Gonçalo Ramos dramatically equalized deep into stoppage time, sending the contest to penalties.
In the ensuing shootout, Lucas Chevalier, preferred in goal over regular starter Gianluigi Donnarumma, made a crucial save to give PSG the advantage before Nuno Mendes converted the decisive spot-kick to secure PSG's first UEFA Super Cup triumph. The victory holds historic significance as PSG becomes the first French club to lift the trophy, adding a fifth piece of silverware to their remarkable 2025 collection.
The atmosphere at the Bluenergy Stadium was electric, with PSG supporters celebrating wildly as captain Marquinhos lifted the trophy, further cementing Qatar Sports Investments' transformative impact on the Parisian club's fortunes. For Tottenham and new manager Thomas Frank, the defeat represents a bitter pill to swallow, though their performance against Europe's elite suggests positive signs for their upcoming domestic campaign.
"We demonstrated incredible resilience tonight. To come back from two goals down against a quality opponent like Tottenham shows the character and mentality of this group. This is another historic moment for our club, and I'm proud of how my players never stopped believing," said Luis Enrique, PSG's visibly emotional coach after the match.
"I'm devastated for the players who gave everything tonight. We were so close to securing a major trophy in my first competitive match. The way we lost hurts, but there are many positives to take from our performance against the Champions League winners. We'll use this as motivation for the season ahead," reflected Thomas Frank, Tottenham's new manager.
"This trophy completes our collection and makes this the most successful period in the club's history. The way we fought back shows our winning mentality. We never give up," stated Marquinhos, PSG's captain who lifted his 14th trophy with the club.
"It's heartbreaking to lose like that after leading for so long. We showed we can compete at the highest level, but small details make the difference in finals. We'll learn from this and come back stronger," said Cristian Romero, who captained Tottenham in the absence of the departed Son Heung-Min.
"PSG demonstrated why they're champions of Europe. Their ability to maintain composure and find goals late in matches is the mark of an elite team. Tottenham will feel this was a missed opportunity, but Frank's tactical approach was impressive for a debut in European competition," analyzed Alessandro Del Piero, former Juventus legend working as a pundit for the broadcast.
The statistical breakdown of the PSG vs Tottenham UEFA Super Cup encounter reveals a closely contested battle that ultimately ended in PSG's favor on penalties. The possession statistics slightly favored the French champions, who controlled 53% of the ball compared to Tottenham's 47%.
In terms of attacking threat, PSG registered 18 shots with 7 on target, while Tottenham managed 14 attempts with 5 finding the frame of the goal. The corner count ended 9-5 in PSG's favor, highlighting their territorial advantage particularly in the second half as they pushed for their comeback.
The disciplinary record showed a competitive but largely fair contest, with PSG receiving 3 yellow cards compared to Tottenham's 2. No red cards were issued during the match.
Individually, Ousmane Dembélé was PSG's most dangerous player, completing 8 successful dribbles and creating 4 chances for his teammates. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia contributed significantly with 3 key passes, while substitute Lee Kang-in made an immediate impact with his goal and 91% passing accuracy after coming on.
For Tottenham, Mohammed Kudus impressed on his competitive debut with 5 successful dribbles and 2 shots on target. João Palhinha controlled the midfield effectively, winning 7 duels and making 4 interceptions, while Micky van de Ven complemented his goal with an impressive 7 clearances.
The passing statistics showed PSG's technical superiority with 573 completed passes at 89% accuracy, compared to Tottenham's 418 at 83%. However, Tottenham's direct approach yielded more effectiveness in the final third for much of the match, registering an expected goals (xG) value of 1.8 compared to PSG's 2.1 – indicating the French side's quality chances were slightly better despite Tottenham's clinical finishing.
19:00 - Match kicks off at the Bluenergy Stadium in Udine between Champions League winners PSG and Europa League champions Tottenham.
15' - Early tactical battle with both teams testing each other. PSG's fluid 4-3-3 against Tottenham's disciplined 4-2-3-1 formation.
39' GOAL! - Micky van de Ven gives Tottenham the lead with a powerful header from Pape Matar Sarr's precisely delivered corner. PSG goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier gets a hand to it but can't keep it out. Tottenham lead 1-0.
45' - First half ends with Tottenham leading 1-0, having executed Thomas Frank's counter-attacking strategy to perfection.
48' GOAL! - Tottenham double their advantage! Cristian Romero finishes coolly after Mohammed Kudus' brilliant run and cutback. PSG defenders caught flat-footed as the Argentine captain makes it 2-0.
62' - Luis Enrique responds with a double substitution, introducing Lee Kang-in and Gonçalo Ramos to change the dynamics of the attack.
73' - PSG shift to a more direct 4-2-4 formation as they chase the game, pushing Hakimi and Nuno Mendes higher up the flanks.
85' GOAL! - PSG pull one back! Lee Kang-in finishes a flowing move, tapping in Dembélé's low cross after brilliant work from Barcola on the left. Score: 2-1.
90+4' GOAL! - Dramatic equalizer! Gonçalo Ramos heads home from close range after Kvaratskhelia's chipped cross. PSG complete the comeback at 2-2 as the referee blows for full time shortly after.
Penalty Shootout:
- Tottenham miss their second penalty when Chevalier saves from Bentancur
- Both teams convert their next attempts
- Nuno Mendes scores the decisive fifth penalty for PSG, securing a 4-3 shootout victory
Chronology of the match
The PSG versus Tottenham history in European competition has been relatively limited, with the 2025 UEFA Super Cup representing just their third competitive meeting. The previous encounters came in the 2019-20 Champions League group stage, where PSG claimed a 2-1 victory in Paris before a 1-1 draw in London.
This latest chapter in their UEFA competition confrontation proved to be the most dramatic yet, with PSG's penalty shootout victory adding another layer to this developing rivalry between two clubs with ambitious ownership and growing European pedigrees.
The tactical battle between Luis Enrique and Thomas Frank provided fascinating viewing. Frank's Tottenham approached the match with disciplined defensive organization and explosive counter-attacks, effectively neutralizing PSG's technical midfield for long periods. Luis Enrique countered with in-game adjustments, particularly in the second half when his substitutions and formation switch to a more aggressive shape ultimately paid dividends.
Individual duels across the pitch shaped the flow of the contest. The battle between Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Djed Spence on PSG's left flank was particularly compelling, with the Georgian forward increasingly influential as the match progressed. Equally important was the midfield contest between Warren Zaïre-Emery and João Palhinha, with the young Frenchman's mobility eventually wearing down Tottenham's defensive midfielder.
Perhaps most decisive was the duel between Ousmane Dembélé and Micky van de Ven. While the Dutch defender scored and performed admirably for much of the match, Dembélé's persistent threat and ability to beat his man in one-on-one situations eventually created the spaces PSG needed for their comeback.
Historically, this result continues PSG's slight edge in the head-to-head record, which now stands at two wins and one draw in three competitive matches. More significantly, it represents the first time these clubs have met in a final, potentially setting the stage for an emerging rivalry between two of Europe's most ambitious projects.
As the UEFA Super Cup represents a one-off match between the Champions League and Europa League winners, there is no league table to update. However, the result carries significant implications for both clubs' standings in European football's hierarchy.
For Paris Saint-Germain, this historic victory establishes them as the current dominant force in European football. Having claimed their first Champions League title last season after years of near-misses, this Super Cup triumph further cements their elite status. PSG have now won an unprecedented five trophies in 2025 – the Trophée des Champions, Ligue 1, Coupe de France, UEFA Champions League, and now the UEFA Super Cup. This remarkable achievement places them among the most successful clubs in a single calendar year in football history.
The victory increases PSG's trophy count to 38 since Qatar Sports Investments' arrival in 2011, transforming the club into a European powerhouse. In UEFA's club rankings, PSG will strengthen their position in the top three, reflecting their consistent excellence in continental competitions.
Tottenham Hotspur, despite the disappointment, can take pride in their Europa League success last season which granted them this opportunity. Under new manager Thomas Frank, they've demonstrated they can compete with Europe's elite. While they remain trophy-hungry – with their last major silverware being the 2024 Europa League – their performance suggests they are well-positioned to challenge domestically and in Europe this season.
In the UEFA club rankings, Tottenham continue their ascent, with their Super Cup appearance and recent Europa League triumph boosting their coefficient points. They currently sit just outside the top ten, with their trajectory pointing upward under their new management structure.