We must keep going,’ Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique said of the team’s sixth trophy win in a year. ‘It’s our mentality to keep winning and keep making history. That’s what we want.’
Back-up goalkeeper Matvei Safonov saved four penalties as Paris Saint-Germain edged out Brazilians Flamengo 2-1 in a shoot-out to win the FIFA Intercontinental Cup final in Qatar on Wednesday, December 17. PSG led through Khvicha Kvaratskhelia before Jorginho’s spot-kick leveled for Flamengo as the game finished 1-1 after extra time.
Copa Libertadores winners Flamengo defeated Mexicans Cruz Azul and African champions Pyramids last week to earn the right to face PSG and pushed the European champions all the way with a dogged display.
But Luis Enrique’s men, who received a bye to the final, were indebted to Safonov and followed in the footsteps of Real Madrid, who lifted the inaugural title last year. “I think this year is impossible to repeat for Paris Saint-Germain. It’s an unforgettable year,” said Luis Enrique. “Six trophies, not bad. We must keep going. It’s our mentality to keep winning and keep making history. That’s what we want.”
PSG thought they had taken the lead in the ninth minute when Fabian Ruiz cleverly hooked the ball into an empty net after Flamengo goalkeeper Agustin Rossi miskicked a clearance while trying to prevent a corner. But the goal was ruled out by VAR because Rossi had narrowly failed to stop the ball from going out of play. But PSG did break the deadlock eight minutes before half-time courtesy of another Rossi error.
