PSG defeat Flamengo 2-1 on penalties in FIFA Intercontinental Cup final, with goalkeeper Matvei Safonov saving four spot-kicks to secure the win

Paris Saint-Germain claimed the FIFA Intercontinental Cup on Wednesday after edging Brazilian side Flamengo 2-1 in a penalty shoot-out, with back-up goalkeeper Matvei Safonov saving four penalties to secure victory.

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PSG took the lead through Khvicha Kvaratskhelia before Jorginho equalised for Flamengo from the penalty spot, sending the game into extra time after a 1-1 draw in regulation.

Copa Libertadores champions Flamengo had earlier defeated Mexican side Cruz Azul and African champions Pyramids to reach the final, and they pushed PSG all the way with a determined display.

PSG initially thought they had scored in the ninth minute when Fabian Ruiz hooked the ball into an empty net, but the goal was ruled out by VAR after Flamengo goalkeeper Agustin Rossi narrowly failed to keep the ball in play.

Eight minutes before half-time, PSG broke the deadlock after Rossi’s misjudged clearance turned Desire Doue’s cross into Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s simple tap-in.

Flamengo earned a penalty in the 60th minute following a foul by Marquinhos on Giorgian de Arrascaeta, which Jorginho converted to level the score.

PSG pressed for a winner, with substitutes Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Dembele creating late chances, including a near-miss from Marquinhos in the dying moments of regulation.

Extra time produced half-chances for both sides, with Dembele narrowly off-target in the 116th minute.

Safonov, deputising for first-choice goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier, who is recovering from an ankle injury, emerged as the hero in the shoot-out, saving four penalties and compensating for misses from Barcola and Dembele.

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PSG followed in the footsteps of Real Madrid, winners of last year’s inaugural Intercontinental Cup.