Paris Saint-Germain Edge Flamengo On Penalties As Safonov Saves Four Spots In Intercontinental Cup Triumph

Paris Saint-Germain claimed the Intercontinental Cup in Qatar after a 1-1 draw with Flamengo, then a dramatic penalty shoot-out. Matvey Safonov saved four of five Flamengo spot-kicks, securing the club’s

first global title after July’s Club World Cup disappointment.

Safonov started instead of Lucas Chevalier and became the decisive figure. While Ousmane Dembele and Bradley Barcola both missed in the shoot-out, Safonov denied Saul, Pedro, Leo Pereira and Luiz Araujo, meaning a single Flamengo conversion was not enough.

The win capped a dominant 2025 for PSG, who collected five major trophies. Paris Saint-Germain lifted Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, the Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup and now the Intercontinental Cup, ending the year as Europe’s most decorated side.

This success also closed a long gap for French clubs in world competitions. Neither the original Intercontinental Cup, staged between 1960 and 2004, nor the Club World Cup, held in 2000 and then from 2005, had ever been won by a French team.

Flamengo, reigning Copa Libertadores champions, were pushed back early as PSG pressed high. Fabian Ruiz thought he opened the scoring after 10 minutes, guiding a clever outside-of-the-boot finish when Agustin Rossi misjudged a clearance and left an open goal.

Ruiz’s finish did not stand, though. A VAR review spotted the ball crossing the line before Rossi’s initial clearance near the byline. The decision cancelled the goal, but PSG maintained control and continued to create chances against a stretched Flamengo defence.

The breakthrough finally came in the 38th minute. Desire Doue sent in a low centre that Rossi only half-cleared with a weak palm. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia reacted fastest inside the area and calmly slotted the ball into the net.

Flamengo responded after the interval and gained a route back on 59 minutes. Following another VAR check, Marquinhos was judged to have fouled Giorgian de Arrascaeta inside the area, and Jorginho stepped up to the spot, sending Safonov the wrong way.

With the score level, Luis Enrique introduced Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele to chase a late winner. Marquinhos narrowly failed to connect with one dangerous cross from Dembele, while in extra time Dembele and Nuno Mendes both went close without converting.

The shoot-out provided further drama. Dembele smashed PSG’s second kick over the bar and Rossi saved Barcola’s effort, but Flamengo could not capitalise. Safonov’s four saves decided the contest, delivering PSG’s historic triumph over the South American champions.

Match data underlined PSG’s control despite the close scoreline. Paris Saint-Germain registered 23 shots to Flamengo’s 11 and produced 1.92 expected goals, according to xG models. Flamengo’s 1.25 xG included 0.79 from Jorginho’s penalty, showing fewer quality chances from open play.

Across the season, the Intercontinental Cup joined a broad trophy collection for PSG. Having fallen short against Chelsea in the Club World Cup final, the squad still closed 2025 with domestic and European honours, plus this long-awaited global success for French football.