PSG 2, Tottenham 2 (PSG Wins 4-3 on Penalties): Spurs Suffer Heartbreak as Late Comeback Foils Bid for Second Trophy in 84 Days

THOMAS FRANK experienced the intense pressure of being labeled a bit Spursy.

Just as he was beginning to make his mark at Tottenham, the new manager was on the verge of claiming a trophy.

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Nevertheless, Frank’s resolute squad, which had held strong against a lackluster PSG, ultimately saw victory slip through their fingers in Udine.

This situation feels all too familiar. Tottenham fans can fondly recall the events of Bilbao on May 21, 2025, making this penalty loss in the UEFA Super Cup less painful.

Yet witnessing PSG defender Marquinhos lift the trophy was a stark reminder of Spurs’ near-miss.

With Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero scoring, Tottenham appeared destined for victory but chose to retreat instead of capitalizing on their lead.

PSG surged back into the game, driven by substitute Kang-in Lee, who netted one, with fellow substitute Goncalo Ramos equalizing in the dying moments of injury time.

Vitinha missed the first penalty, but once Van de Ven’s shot was saved, the outcome felt inevitable.

Mathys Tel looked uneasy during his penalty, leading to Nuno Mendes sending a penalty crashing into the net.

This was a challenging moment for Frank and his players, many of whom watched in disbelief as PSG ascended the podium to collect their medals.

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Despite this setback, positives were evident. Both Spurs goals stemmed from set-pieces, a tactic seldom employed by Ange Postecoglou.

Additionally, Tottenham struggled defensively against set-pieces in post-match discussions with the determined Aussie.

Tottenham and PSG fans could only purchase BEER before the Super Cup as bars stated ‘blame Uefa’.

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Tottenham fans were excited to head to work on Thursday, ready to boast about being the top team in Europe.

However, Arsenal supporters, likely annoyed by this bravado, found delight in PSG’s shootout triumph in a sea of white shirts.

Aside from some tense final moments, Tottenham displayed structure rather than chaos. They defended well and executed purposeful counter-attacks.

This was their sixth match of the summer, while PSG was only returning after eight days of training.

Luis Enrique’s vibrant squad had only recently lost the Club World Cup final to Chelsea, making it unrealistic to expect Ousmane Dembele and his teammates to be in top form for this clash.

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When Tottenham faltered, they were fortunate to evade punishment until the very end. Old habits die hard, as there were moments when Spurs’ buildup was lethargic—a trend that might change under the new Brentford manager.

At one point, Richarlison reprimanded Pedro Porro for slowing the pace instead of advancing the ball.

Aware of PSG’s evident threat, Frank directed his team to defend in a 5-3-2 formation, transitioning to a 4-3-3 in possession, with Djed Spence making runs wide left.

However, whenever PSG maintained possession—often—they would counterattack, with Spence tasked with limiting the influence of crafty Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

PSG’s new goalkeeper, Lucas Chevalier, who replaced Gianluigi Donnarumma, was only tested midway through the first half, having to respond quickly to block a powerful shot from Richarlison.

This chance arose following a precise pass from Mohammed Kudus, with the £55 million newcomer from West Ham forcing a block from PSG captain Marquinhos.

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In 27°C heat, just before 9:30 PM local time, both teams paused for a drinks break, and the enthusiastic Tottenham supporters erupted in cheers.

However, that cheer was eclipsed when center-back Van De Ven scored from a rebound after Chevalier deflected Joao Palhinha’s shot onto the post.

This opportunity came from a poorly managed lengthy free-kick by PSG, with Romero skillfully redirecting the ball into a dangerous area.

Early in the second half, Spurs struck again, prompting PSG supporters to lament the absence of Donnarumma. Romero, unchecked, connected with Porro’s free-kick, and Chevalier inadvertently guided the ball into the net.

After Enrique adjusted his lineup, PSG appeared improved, yet Tottenham seemed to have wrapped up the match before Lee curled in a shot to narrow the gap.

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Then came the calamity. Dembele’s cross found Ramos, who struck just moments before Spurs could taste victory.

PSG’s goalkeeper Chevalier denied Van de Ven during the shootout, making for a challenging debut.

Nevertheless, Frank and Spurs must maintain optimism as they prepare for their upcoming match against Burnley.

For a team that endured 22 defeats in the Premier League last season, Tottenham will be eager to avoid another loss under their new manager.

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