PSG beats Aston Villa for back-to-back UEFA Super Cups

Paris Saint‑Germain beat Aston Villa 2‑1 in Salzburg, Austria, to win the UEFA Super Cup for a second consecutive year. The match, the opening fixture of the European football season, saw PSG’s Desire Doue score a late goal that was initially ruled offside before video review overturned the decision.

The game began with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia putting PSG ahead in the 20th minute, but Villa equalised with a volley from 17‑year‑old Brian Madjo, who made his competitive debut days after a FIFA registration dispute. Madjo became the youngest player to start and score in a Super Cup final. The final score reflected the back‑and‑forth nature of the contest, with PSG’s second‑half goal sealing the win. The victory marks PSG’s first of a possible six trophies this season and makes them the first team since Real Madrid to claim consecutive Super Cups.

The referee was Omar Artan, a Somali official who had been barred by the United States from the World Cup after vetting concerns. UEFA selected Artan for the match, citing his status as Africa’s best referee last season, and he became the first non‑European to take charge of a Super Cup final. Artan issued three yellow cards, all to Villa players, and his appointment highlighted the growing rift between UEFA and FIFA over governance and referee selection.

The win gives PSG a strong start to an ambitious campaign that could see them lift up to six trophies. It also underscores the growing independence of UEFA, which has recently pushed to remove FIFA president Gianni Infantino over a failed World Cup sale plan. For Aston Villa, the match showcased a young talent in Madjo and a competitive spirit that will be vital as they look to build on their Europa League triumph. The result sets the tone for a busy season ahead for both clubs and raises questions about the future of referee appointments in European football.