In a night packed with drama, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) staged a sensational late comeback to defeat Tottenham Hotspur on penalties and lift the UEFA Super Cup 2024 trophy. The match, played at a packed neutral venue, saw momentum swing wildly between the two sides before PSG’s nerve from the spot sealed their victory.
A Match of Two Halves
Tottenham entered the contest with confidence after their recent pre-season form and took control early on. Their aggressive pressing and quick passing unsettled PSG’s rhythm, and the breakthrough came midway through the first half when captain Son Heung-min latched onto a precise through ball, slotting it past Gianluigi Donnarumma to give Spurs a 1-0 lead.
The goal ignited Spurs’ belief, and they looked set to double their advantage before halftime, but Donnarumma produced two crucial saves to keep PSG in the game.
Tottenham’s Second Blow
The second half began with Tottenham continuing their attacking intent. Their efforts paid off in the 58th minute when new signing James Maddison curled in a stunning free-kick from the edge of the box, sending Spurs fans into raptures and putting them 2-0 up.
At that point, victory seemed within reach for Ange Postecoglou’s side. However, PSG’s resilience began to show, and their bench strength became a game-changer.
PSG’s Late Surge
With 15 minutes left, PSG boss Luis Enrique introduced fresh legs in the form of Marco Asensio and Warren Zaïre-Emery. The changes injected pace and creativity into the attack. In the 78th minute, Kylian Mbappé, who had been kept quiet for most of the match, finally made his mark. Bursting down the left, he cut inside and drilled a low shot into the bottom corner to make it 2-1.
The equaliser came in stoppage time, and it was pure drama. Neymar, returning from injury, delivered a precise corner that Marquinhos met with a towering header. The ball sailed into the net, sending the PSG fans into wild celebration and forcing the match into penalties.
The Penalty Shootout
In the shootout, PSG’s composure proved decisive. Donnarumma, already a hero during the match, made a stunning save against Maddison’s opening penalty. PSG’s takers — Mbappé, Neymar, Asensio, and Hakimi — all converted with confidence.
Tottenham’s fate was sealed when Oliver Skipp sent his effort over the bar, handing PSG a 4-2 win in the shootout and their first UEFA Super Cup in over two decades.
Post-Match Reactions
Luis Enrique praised his team’s never-give-up attitude, saying, “This is the spirit we want — fighting until the last second. Tottenham were excellent, but we believed we could turn it around.”
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou admitted the defeat was tough to take, especially after leading for so long. “We controlled most of the game, but at this level, you can’t switch off. PSG punished us for it,” he said.
What This Win Means for PSG
The victory is a significant statement from PSG, showing that they can dig deep and produce results against top opposition. For Mbappé, Neymar, and the rest of the squad, it is a confidence boost ahead of their domestic and Champions League campaigns.
For Tottenham, the loss will sting, but the performance for much of the match proved they can compete with Europe’s elite. The challenge now will be maintaining consistency over a long season.
On a night when the pendulum of fortune swung both ways, PSG’s resilience, star power, and penalty nerve made the difference — securing them the UEFA Super Cup 2024 after a finale worthy of the big stage.