PSG retain UEFA Super Cup with 2-1 win over Aston Villa

Paris Saint-Germain retained the UEFA Super Cup for a second consecutive year after beating Aston Villa 2-1 on Wednesday (12 August), with Désiré Doué scoring the decisive second-half goal in the traditional curtain-raiser to the European soccer season.

Doué put PSG ahead in the 61st minute after running onto a pass from Ousmane Dembélé. The goal was initially ruled out for offside, but a video review overturned the decision and awarded the goal.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia had given PSG the lead in the 20th minute with a powerful strike before Villa teenager Brian Madjo equalised with a volley. The 17-year-old striker was making his competitive debut for the club just days after receiving clearance to play following a dispute with Fifa over his registration.

The victory marked the first of a potential six trophies for PSG this season. The French champions became the first team since Real Madrid in 2016 and 2017 to win the Super Cup in consecutive years.

The UEFA Super Cup is an annual match between the reigning Champions League winners and Europa League champions.

Somali referee makes history
The match in Salzburg, Austria, was officiated by Somali referee Omar Artan, who was barred by the US from refereeing at the World Cup shortly before the tournament because of vetting concerns. US officials alleged that Artan had links to terrorist organisations but did not provide evidence.

UEFA selected Artan, who was named Africa's best referee last season, to officiate the Super Cup. His appointment came amid growing tensions between European soccer's governing body and Fifa.

The dispute has intensified, with UEFA leading efforts to remove Fifa president Gianni Infantino over his recently abandoned proposal to sell a stake in the World Cup.
Artan became the first non-European referee to officiate a UEFA Super Cup.

PSG start season with another trophy
PSG, which won five trophies last season, has already added another title and could claim a second trophy in the 2026-27 campaign when it faces Lens in the Trophée des Champions on Sunday. The match pits France's previous season's league and cup winners against each other.

Doué was among the PSG players who only returned to training on Monday (10 August) after the World Cup, but coach Luis Enrique handed him a starting role. The 21-year-old repaid the faith by scoring the winner.

Doué found space behind Villa's defence after receiving Dembélé's pass and curled a left-footed shot into the far corner. The assistant referee raised the offside flag, but VAR showed that Villa right-back Matty Cash had kept Doué onside.

Referee Artan awarded the goal following the review, prompting Doué to celebrate with a punch in the air.

Kvaratskhelia was PSG's most influential player in the first half. He opened the scoring after cutting in from the left and unleashing a powerful rising shot into the near corner.

Teenager Madjo shines on debut
Villa's Brian Madjo made an impressive competitive debut. The powerful teenager was born in north London, has played three friendly matches for Luxembourg and has since opted to represent England.

Madjo joined Villa from French club Metz in January, but Fifa initially blocked his registration because its rules restrict international transfers involving players under 18. Villa appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which upheld the appeal last week, clearing him to make his debut as the youngest player to appear in a Super Cup.
Madjo repeatedly troubled PSG's experienced centre-back pairing of Willian Pacho and Marquinhos. He came close to scoring several times before eventually finding the net when he met John McGinn's cross with a volley into the roof of the net.

Shortly before scoring, Madjo had forced his way past Pacho and struck the post.

The defeat was Aston Villa manager Unai Emery's fourth consecutive loss in the Super Cup. His previous defeats came twice while managing Sevilla and once with Villarreal.