KUWAIT CITY: Paris Saint-Germain beat Marseille on penalties to win a topsy turvy French Champions Trophy in Kuwait on Thursday.
PSG goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier was the hero of the night, saving two spot-kicks as PSG took the penalty lottery 4-1 after a frenetic end to the match left the two sides locked at 2-2.
Desire Doue converted the decisive spot-kick after Chevalier had saved efforts from Marseille’s Matt O’Riley and Hamed Traore.
PSG had taken an early lead when their Ballon d’Or winning attacker Ousmane Dembele deftly lifted the ball over Marseille ‘keeper Geronimo Rulli.
Only Rulli’s quick thinking prevented Nuno Mendes doubling PSG’s advantage minutes later.
Rulli’s opposite number Chevalier displayed his own goalkeeping prowess when denying Marseille defender Emerson’s goal-bound shot after the half hour.
PSG had Chevalier to thank again when the stopper somehow kept out Igor Paixao’s header near the hour mark.
“I’m happy for myself and for PSG,” added the 24-year-old former Lille stopper.
This was PSG’s record-extending 14th win in the equivalent of France’s ‘Super Cup’ in a game virtually shunned by both sides’ fans due to travel costs.
With PSG winning both the league and French Cup last season, Marseille owed their presence in Kuwait to being league runners-up in 2024/25, albeit a yawning 19 points behind their arch rivals. – AFP
