Safonov saves four penalty kicks in shootout to help PSG win FIFA Intercontinental Cup

Matvei Safonov saved four straight penalty kicks in a shootout to help Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) beat Flamengo in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup final in Doha, Qatar, on Wednesday and lift their sixth trophy of 2025.

The Russian goalkeeper was thrown into the air by his teammates after his exploits in the decisive session, which saw PSG prevail 2-1 after a 1-1 draw in extra time.

The win completed a trophy-laden 12 months for the French giants, who had already won the Trophee des Champions, Ligue 1, French Cup, UEFA Champions League and UEFA Super Cup, with the latter also decided from the spot against Tottenham Hotspur in August.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia gave PSG the lead in the 38th minute before Marquinhos conceded a penalty that Jorginho converted in the 62nd for Flamengo, who were trying to win a second Intercontinental Cup title after triumphing at an earlier version of the competition in 1981.

Flamengo had raised the Copa Libertadores and Brazilian championship trophies in recent weeks.

PSG's first global title came after a breakout performance by Safonov. The backup shot-stopper hadn't played a single minute for the team until summer signing Lucas Chevalier sustained an ankle injury at the end of November.

Chevalier was fit enough to make the bench against Flamengo, but Safonov remained in the lineup and emerged as the shootout hero after successive saves against Saul Niguez, Pedro, Leo Pereira and Luiz Araujo.

Among nine spot kicks taken, only three were converted. Nicolas de la Cruz scored for Flamengo, while Vitinha and Nuno Mendes found the net for PSG.

Ousmane Dembele, crowned as the Best Men's Player of 2025 at FIFA's annual awards gala on Tuesday, was one of two kick takers who failed to score in the shootout for PSG, along with Bradley Barcola.