PSG's players celebrate with the trophy after winning the 2025 FIFA Intercontinental Cup final football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and CR Flamengo at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al-Rayyan on the outskirts of Doha on December 17, 2025. (Photo by Karim JAAFAR / AFP)
Doha: Goalkeeper Matvei Safonov stole the spotlight as Paris Saint-Germain lifted the FIFA Intercontinental Cup Qatar 2025, edging past CR Flamengo 2-1 in a tense penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw in a thrilling final on Wednesday.
Paris Saint-Germain's Portuguese midfielder #17 Vitinha is congratulated by Paris Saint Germain's president Nasser al-Khelaifi after winning the 2025 FIFA Intercontinental Cup final football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and CR Flamengo at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al-Rayyan on the outskirts of Doha on December 17, 2025. (Photo by Karim JAAFAR / AFP)
Tensions ran high at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, packed with over 42,000 spectators, as Khvicha Kvaratskhelia put PSG ahead in the 38th minute.
Flamengo responded in the 62nd when Jorginho converted a penalty after Marquinhos was adjudged at fault for bringing down Giorgian De Arrascaeta, taking the title clash to a shootout following a stalemate at full time.
The penalty drama saw early successful strikes from Nicolas De La Cruz for Flamengo and Vitinha for PSG. Safonov then denied Saul, while Ousmane Dembele – who came off the bench in the 78th minute – scooped his penalty over the bar.
The goalkeeper followed up with crucial saves from Pedro and Leo Pereira, with Nuno Mendes’ successful strike proving decisive. Flamengo’s goalkeeper Agustin Rossi kept his side in contention by saving Bradley Barcola’s attempt, but Safonov’s stop on Luiz Araujo’s final shot sparked wild celebrations for PSG.
Paris Saint-Germain's Portuguese midfielder #17 Vitinha stands on the podium after receiving the Player of the Tournament trophy and after winning the 2025 FIFA Intercontinental Cup final football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and CR Flamengo at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al-Rayyan on the outskirts of Doha on December 17, 2025. (Photo by Karim JAAFAR / AFP)
The Intercontinental Cup triumph completed a six-trophy haul for Luis Enrique’s side in 2025, having already secured the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, Ligue 1, Trophee des Champions, and Coupe de France titles in a dominant season. They became only the third club this century to win six trophies in a year, following Barcelona in 2009 and Bayern Munich in 2020.
Flamengo, coached by Filipe Luis, leave Qatar with plenty of memories, having given PSG a stern test and capturing the FIFA Derby of the Americas and FIFA Challenger Cup.
PSG dominated large periods but Flamengo also had their moments, combining resolute defending with flashes of attacking threat.
Vitinha tested Rossi with a long-range set-piece attempt, Joao Neves volleyed just wide, and Lee Kang-in fired another long-range effort during PSG’s early pressure.
PSG thought they had opened the scoring in the ninth minute when Fabian Ruiz volleyed into an open goal after Rossi left his line to clear a ball heading for a corner, but a VAR review showed the ball had crossed the line earlier, disallowing the goal.
Flamengo, who spent much of the opening period defending, began to create chances after the 15th minute. Jorge Carrascal saw his shot blocked, and Safonov denied Erick Pulgar’s subsequent attempt. The Brazilian side began closing gaps effectively, limiting PSG’s opportunities inside the box.
Paris Saint-Germain's French midfielder #14 Desire Doue (C-L) and CR Flamengo's Chilean midfielder #5 Erik Pulgar fight for the ball during the 2025 FIFA Intercontinental Cup final football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and CR Flamengo at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al-Rayyan on the outskirts of Doha on December 17, 2025. (Photo by Karim JAAFAR / AFP)
PSG eventually found their breakthrough when Desire Doue received a long ball and delivered a diagonal cross from the right, allowing Kvaratskhelia to tap in from close range. Flamengo responded immediately, with Pulgar’s header from a corner sailing just over the bar.
The second half began with Neves firing straight at Rossi, but Flamengo carved out the next clear chance, prompting the introduction of Pedro for Carrascal in the 56th minute.
PSG responded by bringing on Barcola for Senny Mayulu, pressing high in the final third. Neves saw another effort blocked by Leo Ortiz, while Flamengo made a triple substitution, bringing on Everton, Saul and De La Cruz. PSG followed with the introduction of Dembele, who was quickly involved but had a close-range effort blocked.
Flamengo remained dangerous on the counter, with Pereira and Bruno Henrique testing PSG from distance. A late chance fell to Marquinhos, but he failed to connect with a Dembele cross inside six yards, sending the match into extra time.
In extra time, PSG pressed relentlessly. Neves saw his effort blocked, Dembele fired twice over the bar, and Rossi denied Mendes as neither side could find the winner.
Ultimately, Safonov’s heroics in the penalty shootout sealed PSG’s triumph, completing another memorable chapter in their dominant 2025 season.
