2 Spurs (Aug 13, 2025) Game Analysis

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UDINE, Italy -- Paris Saint-Germain beat Tottenham Hotspur 4-3 on penalties to win the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday, completing a remarkable rally after scoring two late goals to take the match to a shootout.

Nuno Mendes converted PSG's final kick from the spot to secure a fifth trophy of 2025 for the French club.

Lee Kang-in scored in the 85th for PSG, and fellow substitute Goncalo Ramos grabbed an equalizer in the fourth minute of stoppage time to make it 2-2 in regulation.

Set piece goals by Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero had Spurs halfway towards another trophy -- only three months on from Thomas Frank's predecessor, Ange Postecoglou, clinching Europa League success in May.

Champions League winners PSG, who returned to preseason only last week following their Club World Cup exploits in July, produced a stirring response, with Lee pulling one back with five minutes left.

Ramos forced spot kicks when he headed home in the fourth minute of stoppage time to stun the north London club.

It was initially advantage Tottenham in the shootout when Vitinha missed PSG's first kick, but it was followed by Van de Ven and Mathys Tel failing to score their penalties as Luis Enrique's men triumphed despite a fine display on Frank's competitive debut.

The Super Cup is an annual early-season match between the most recent winners of the Champions League and the Europa League.

This fixture marked Romero's first official match since being appointed Spurs captain, following Son Heung-Min's departure to MLS side LAFC, and he lined up in a back three as Frank immediately stamped his authority.

Tottenham edged the opening stages before PSG attacker Khvicha Kvaratskhelia dragged wide to provide a reminder of his talent.

Chances remained limited until Richarlison let fly from 20 yards, but PSG debutant Lucas Chevalier -- preferred to Italy's Gianluigi Donnarumma -- tipped over.

Mohammed Kudus, on his first start since a summer switch from West Ham United, almost tested Chevalier again only for Marquinhos to come across to make a crucial block.

A sliced Van de Ven clearance presented a chance for Ousmane Dembélé moments later, but he fired off target and then Tottenham grabbed their opening goal under new boss Frank.

It was from a set piece as Guglielmo Vicario's diagonal to the back post was headed into the penalty area by Romero and, even though João Palhinha had a close-range effort pushed onto the crossbar, Van de Ven slid home to spark big celebrations.

A second nearly followed, but Kudus' stabbed effort hit the post to ensure it stayed 1-0 at halftime.

Three minutes into the second half, Frank watched Spurs grab a second.

Another set piece did the trick as Pedro Porro picked out the unmarked Romero at the back post and his header into the ground slipped through the hands of Chevalier in a moment he would want to forget.

Kevin Danso sent another effort into the side netting in the 52nd minute before Luis Enrique went for broke.

Last-ditch defending by Romero thwarted one chance before Van de Ven slid in to deny the lively Désiré Doué.

PSG had the ball in the net after 66 minutes, but Bradley Barcola's strike was disallowed for offside in a move that saw Danso produce a heroic block to prevent Fabián Ruiz from scoring after Vicario had saved from Doué.

Tottenham continued to be pinned back and, not long after Djed Spence blocked an effort by Dembélé, PSG reduced the deficit.

Substitute Lee arrowed an effort into the bottom corner with five minutes left to set up a nervy finale.

Eventually the pressure told as Achraf Hakimi slipped in Dembélé, who crossed for Ramos to head home the leveller in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

Spurs were left crestfallen, but gained two early advantages in the shootout when captain Romero called correctly to ensure spot kicks were taken in front of their fans and when Vitinha sent his effort wide.

Information from The Associated Press and PA was used in this recap.

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