Paris Saint-Germain continues its collection of European trophies and shows no signs of slowing down. Just like last year, the Parisians added the UEFA Super Cup triumph to their Champions League victory.
The significance of this match is somewhat mixed. On one hand, it offers a chance to add another trophy to the club’s cabinet—a particularly meaningful opportunity for Aston Villa, whose trophy haul is modest by comparison. On the other hand, the recently concluded World Cup has had an impact: players from teams that reached the final stages of the 2026 World Cup have only just returned from their breaks. While this doesn’t necessarily level the playing field, it does make the outcome less predictable.
Looking ahead, there was a notable stretch during the game in Salzburg when it seemed Aston Villa might pull off a shock by overcoming their formidable opponents thanks to superior fitness.
The first half proved to be more engaging and eventful, possibly because the players still had plenty of energy. The opening goal came in the 20th minute when Khvicha Kvaratskhelia received the ball inside the penalty area, shifted it onto his right foot, and fired a powerful shot under the crossbar. Bizot, who was deputizing for Emiliano Martinez, was helpless to stop it.
However, Aston Villa quickly seized the initiative and created several dangerous chances against the Parisian goal. The standout was 17-year-old forward Brajan Majo, who at 17 years and 212 days became the youngest player ever to appear in a UEFA Super Cup match. Yet, his contribution went beyond this record. Just before halftime, Majo battled a defender and managed to connect with a cross from McGinn on the right flank, leveling the score at 1-1. This was a fair reflection of the number of opportunities the English side had generated up to that point.
At halftime, Luis Enrique made a single substitution, bringing on Ousmane Dembele. Nevertheless, the second half began once again with Aston Villa on the front foot. The Birmingham club might have turned the match in their favor if not for a positional error by Matty Cash, who hesitated slightly and allowed Duje to avoid offside and score his second goal, restoring PSG’s lead.
Aston Villa were unable to replicate their first-half heroics. The substitutions, especially McGinn, who tried to drive his team forward, seemed to weaken rather than strengthen the side. Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain, despite not playing their best football on the evening, managed to see out the match relatively comfortably. The season is just beginning, but the Parisians already have their first trophy.
2026 UEFA Super Cup
PSG – Aston Villa 2:1 (1:1)
Goals: Kvaratskhelia 20 (1:0); Majo 45 (1:1); Duje D. 61 (2:1)
PSG: Safonov M.; Hakimi; Mendes N. (Hernandez L-F., 74); Marquinhos; Vitinha F.; Kvaratskhelia (Beraldo L., 88); Akliush (Dembele U., 46); Zaire-Emery; Pacho; Neves J.P. (Fabian Ruiz, 75); Duje D. (Mayulu, 87)
Substitutions: Dembele U. (46); Hernandez L-F. (74); Fabian Ruiz (75); Mayulu (87); Beraldo L. (88)
Reserves: Chevalier L.; Zabarnyi; Digne; Fernandez Dro; Mbaye; Ndjantu; Barkolya B.
Aston Villa: Bizot; Lindelof; Torres Pau; Maatsen J.; Kamara B. (Bogarde L., 72); Gomez Joao; Hemmings; Cash; McGinn D. (Alisson Edward, 72); Buendia; Majo (Abraham T., 72)
Substitutions: Bogarde L. (72); Alisson Edward (72); Abraham T. (72)
Reserves: Wright J.; Nedelkovic; Mings; Barkley; Burrows Br.
Yellow cards: Torres Pau 51; Gomez Joao 64; McGinn D. 72
