On an unforgettable night of football at the Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium in Kuwait, Paris Saint-Germain continued to write history, clinching their 14th French Super Cup title. This thrilling victory came at the expense of their arch-rivals, Olympique de Marseille, in a penalty shootout (4-1) after a dramatic 2-2 draw in regulation time, a match that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the very last moment.
Details of the exciting French Clasico
The match began with clear dominance from the Parisian giants, who managed to finish the first half with a 1-0 lead thanks to a goal from winger Ousmane Dembélé, reflecting the organized attacking play of Luis Enrique's men. It seemed that things were heading towards an easy victory for Paris, but football had other plans in the final minutes.
The atmosphere of the match ignited in the last quarter of an hour, as Olympique Marseille managed to get back into the game with an equalizer scored by Englishman Mason Greenwood from a penalty kick in the 76th minute. The excitement did not stop there, but increased its pace when William Batshua, the defender of Saint-Germain, scored an own goal just three minutes before the end of regular time, giving Marseille the lead and putting the Parisians in an unenviable position.
Ramos the savior and Parisian dominance continues
As everyone prepared to declare Marseille champions, Paris Saint-Germain intensified their all-out attacking pressure. Portuguese striker Gonzalo Ramos then stepped up to play the hero, scoring a dramatic equalizer in the dying seconds of the match, forcing a penalty shootout. In the shootout, the Paris Saint-Germain players demonstrated their mental fortitude, securing the title with a 4-1 victory amidst wild celebrations from the team's supporters in the stands.
Historical dimensions and international context of the event
This triumph further confirms Paris Saint-Germain's absolute dominance of French football over the past decade, extending their record as the most successful club in the French Super Cup (Champions Trophy) to 14 titles, widening the gap with their closest rivals. The victory carries added significance as it came in the "Classique" match against their eternal rivals, Marseille, amplifying the joy of the Parisian fans.
On another note, holding the match in Kuwait reflects the growing trend of the French Professional Football League (LFP) towards internationalizing and marketing French football in the Middle East and the Arabian Gulf region. The large crowd at Jaber Al-Ahmad Stadium demonstrated the immense popularity of major French clubs in the region, enhancing the chances of hosting more international sporting events in the near future and reinforcing the region's status as a global sporting destination.
