Tottenham ‘better team by far’ against PSG in UEFA Super Cup final, have created ‘template’ for success

Published 13/08/2025 at 23:10 GMT+1

Tottenham failed to win two successive trophies after being beaten by UEFA Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain in a penalty shoot-out in the UEFA Super Cup in Udine. Spurs took a 2-0 lead but PSG produced a late comeback to force spot-kicks. Former Tottenham midfielder Glenn Hoddle tells TNT Sports, he was encouraged by what he saw ahead of the new season from Spurs.

Watch - Romero powers Spurs into two-goal lead against PSG after ‘shocking defending’

Video credit: TNT Sports

Tottenham Hotspur legend Glenn Hoddle says Thomas Frank's side showed they have the "template" to compete in the UEFA Champions League this season - despite losing the UEFA Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain.

Spurs were seemingly cruising to victory in Udine after goals from Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero.

However, a late fightback from the Champions League winners saw Lee Kang-in and Goncalo Ramos find the net to take the match to penalties.

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Van de Ven and Mathys Tel missed from the spot before Nuno Mendes dispatched the winner for PSG.

However, Hoddle was not left angered by Spurs' late collapse but instead encouraged by what they could achieve in the new campaign.

"They did more than hold their own," he said on TNT Sports. "They were the better team by far. Luis Enrique actually sort of apologised, in a way, when he went up to Thomas Frank at the end.

Watch - Van de Ven fires Spurs ahead against PSG with centre-forward’s finish

Video credit: TNT Sports

"That will give them so much belief going into the Champions League. We’ve played against this great side that have won the Champions League.

"We went toe-to-toe and more and, over 90 minutes, we were the better team.

"I think that’s a template. The way they played there, don’t be surprised if they play Liverpool, they play Man City, they play Arsenal, that’s a template to play in the Champions League, maybe away from home, that is something that they’ll really grasp.

"They’ll look at that and analyse it and say ‘we were the better team’. So that’s a template now to go on the front foot and go toe-to-toe with these teams. That is a massive performance from Tottenham tonight.

"Yes, it’s emotional and disappointing because you’re 2-0 up and 10 minutes to go and you’ve lost the cup, the trophy’s gone, but at the end of the day I think it’s a real positive night for Tottenham."

Hoddle praises PSG 'resilience'

For PSG, it is another trophy for their dazzling cabinet of silverware. The UEFA Super Cup can nestle in close to the UEFA Champions League - a trophy they will be desperate to retain this season.

For so long, the French club were known for signing some of the biggest names in European football.

Lionel Messi, Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic all featured for the club, but they were unable to enjoy the success of the current crop.

"I think if you look at the Paris Saint-Germain team with all the superstars in it, there’s no way that at 2-0, with 10 minutes to go that they turn that game around," Hoddle said.

Watch Nuno Mendes' winning penalty and wild celebrations as PSG win Super Cup

Video credit: TNT Sports

"But this side have not played well tonight. Tottenham were the better team. But [PSG] ended up celebrating with the trophy. And they did that in a 15-minute spell and finished off with better penalties than Spurs.

"At the end of the day, PSG have got some resilience about them. They’ve got some character.

"I’m not saying the other PSG team didn’t, but it was all superstars, all creative football, and not really worried about how they defend.

"This team have got [balance] now, and they’ve got really good creative players as well. They’ve got the balance right. That’s why they will be one of the favourites to go back and win [the Champions League].

"Like everyone says, whether you’re a tennis player, a golf player or a footballer, to win is one thing, but to maintain it and retain that trophy is very, very difficult."

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