Paris St. Germain won the FIFA Intercontinental Cup in Qatar. In the penalty shootout against Flamengo Rio de Janeiro, PSG goalkeeper Matvej Safonov became a hero with four saved balls.
After regular play and after 120 minutes, the score was 1-1 on Wednesday evening (December 17, 2025). Khvicha Kvaratskhelia gave Paris a deserved lead in the 38th minute, Jorginho equalized from the penalty spot in the 62nd minute. The penalty shootout then went to Paris 2-1.
PSG were superior from the start and almost took the lead in the 4th minute. Vitinha had delicately crossed a free kick from half-right into the center, the Brazilians’ defense was collectively indisposed – but Joao Neves only hit the left side netting with his volley.
Slapstick action – but Mr. Rossi is lucky
PSG then kept their foot on the accelerator and almost benefited from a slapstick move by the Flamengo keeper in the 9th minute. Agustín Rossi wanted to prevent a corner and artistically kept the ball in play – but sent it straight to Neves, who set up Fabián Ruiz to make it 1-0. Rossi’s great luck: After VAR intervention, it became apparent that the ball had already slightly crossed the goal line before it was penned, and the game was then continued with a corner kick.
There was little offensive from Rio. After almost 20 minutes, Erick Pulgar tested PSG keeper Matvey Safonov after a pass from Bruno Henrique, but otherwise the South Americans mostly stood out for their overly tough duels.
Kvaratskhelia reckons with the goalkeeper error
Paris continued to playfully use the finer blade and was rewarded seven minutes before the break. Rossi looked miserable again, this time he missed a harmless cross pass from Desiré Doué and gave Kvaratskhelia the opening goal at the second post. The Georgian had obviously already expected the mistake and was therefore perfectly positioned to take the dust.
Only then did Flamengo become really dangerous. After a corner from Giorgian de Arrascaeta, Pulgar was completely free to head the ball, but narrowly missed the right angle.
Penalty after VAR intervention
After the break, Paris put pressure on again, but failed to add a second goal through Joao Neves (51′). After almost an hour, Rio risked more, coach Filipe Luís switched to attack and was immediately rewarded. During a solo by de Arrascaeta, Marquinos allowed himself to be outmaneuvered and tripped the Uruguayan. Referee Ismail Elfath initially allowed play to continue, but had to be called to the video screen and correct his decision: ex-Arsenal and Chelsea star Jorginho converted the penalty, of course again with his obligatory hop on the run-up.
Paris was challenged, and the world coach of the year brought the world footballer of the year: Luis Enrique replaced Ousmane Dembélé for the final quarter of an hour. In the 81st minute it almost paid off: Dembélé and then Mendes were blocked just before the line. In the final phase of regular time, Flamengo suddenly had the chance to score the winning goal: first Pedro missed after a counterattack too hastily, then Gonzalo Plata lofted the ball over the crossbar. After Rossi wandered wildly through his penalty area in the 95th minute, Marquinhos had a huge chance – but shot the ball into his own leg three meters in front of the goal.
Four PSG chances in extra time – then Saforov shines
In extra time, the issue on both sides was avoiding mistakes; substitute Quentin Ndjantou had the best chance with a 20-meter shot just outside the left post. When Dembélé, Bradley Barcola and Mendes missed further opportunities in the last five minutes, Rio escaped into a penalty shootout.
Saul Niguez, Pedro, Leo Pereira and Luiz Araujo each failed for Flamengo due to the outstanding Safonov. At PSG, world footballer Dembélé chased the ball meters over the crossbar and Barcola also missed – but that no longer mattered in the end.
Flamengo have already been FIFA champions twice
Small consolation for the Brazilians: As part of this flood of titles and award ceremonies in Qatar, which was somewhat difficult to understand, Flamengo had already won the so-called FIFA America derby 2-1 against Cruz Azul from Mexico and then won again: FIFA too Challenger Cup went to the club from Brazil, in this final Pyramids FC from Egypt were defeated 2-0.