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Desire Doue scored the decisive penalty after Chevalier had thwarted attempts from Marseille’s Matt O’Riley and Hamed Traore to win the game 4-1 in the shootout after a 2-2 draw.
PSG beat Marseille in the Trophee des Champions. (X)
PSG triumphed over Marseille in a penalty shootout to secure the French Champions Trophy in Kuwait on Thursday as the Parisian giants’ goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier emerged as the night’s hero, saving two penalty kicks as PSG clinched the shootout 4-1 after a thrilling match ended 2-2.
Desire Doue scored the decisive penalty after Chevalier had thwarted attempts from Marseille’s Matt O’Riley and Hamed Traore.
PSG took an early lead with Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele skillfully lifting the ball over Marseille’s goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli. Rulli’s quick reflexes soon prevented Nuno Mendes from doubling PSG’s advantage.
Chevalier showcased his goalkeeping abilities by denying Marseille defender Emerson’s shot after the half-hour mark. He was again instrumental near the hour mark, keeping out Igor Paixao’s header.
However, with fifteen minutes remaining, Chevalier’s foul resulted in a Marseille penalty. Mason Greenwood, a former Manchester United forward, calmly converted the spot-kick after VAR confirmation.
In the closing minutes, centre-back Willian Pacho’s misguided clearance confused his goalkeeper, making it appear that Marseille would secure their first silverware since the 2012 French League Cup. But in the fifth minute of injury time, Goncalo Ramos leveled the score by poking in Bradley Barcola’s cross, leading to the penalty shootout and ultimately PSG’s victory under Luis Enrique.
“When you go 2–1 down in the 85th minute, you wonder if something’s not right, but I knew that if it went to penalties, we were going to win because I was so determined today to make the team win,” Chevalier told broadcaster Ligue1+. “I’m happy for myself and for PSG,” added the 24-year-old former Lille stopper.
This victory marked PSG’s record-extending 14th win in France’s ‘Super Cup,’ a match virtually shunned by both sides’ fans due to travel costs. A banner at Marseille’s Stade Velodrome last Sunday, during their 2-0 upset loss to Nantes in Ligue 1, captured the general dissatisfaction of supporters: “FCT 2026 in Kuwait. And for 2027, on the moon?”
Traditionally contested between the Ligue 1 champions and French Cup winners, the fixture has been held in various international locations as the French Football Federation seeks to promote Ligue 1 globally. Previous editions have taken place in Canada, China, Gabon, Israel, Qatar, USA, Morocco, and Austria, among other venues.
Following this event in the Middle East, both teams will refocus on domestic matters next week with French Cup matches. PSG, one point behind Lens in second place, will host Lille next Friday, while Marseille, seven points behind PSG in third place, will travel to Angers.
In Europe, PSG aims to secure automatic qualification to the Champions League last 16. The holders are third in the league phase standings with two games left, while Marseille are 16th, vying for a play-off spot.
Having won both the league and French Cup last season, PSG’s presence in Kuwait was due to Marseille finishing as league runners-up in the 2024/25 season, a substantial 19 points behind their rivals.
(With Inputs From Agencies)
January 09, 2026, 08:47 IST
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