Safonov saves 4 penalties, PSG beat Flamengo 2-1 to win the cup.

At the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, the FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2025 final concluded with one name repeatedly mentioned in the stands: Matvey Safonov. The Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper saved four penalties, helping the French team overcome Flamengo 2-1 in the penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw, to reach the pinnacle of world football.

PSG took an early lead, and Kvaratskhelia broke the deadlock.

As predicted before the match, PSG opted for a proactive approach. Playing in a 4-3-3 formation, the French team quickly pressed Flamengo, attempting to capitalize on the technical skill and ball-handling abilities of their midfield, featuring Fabian Ruiz, Vitinha, and Joao Neves.

In the 9th minute, that pressure seemed poised to materialize. Fabian Ruiz put the ball into the Flamengo net, but VAR intervened and disallowed the goal, bringing the game back to a stalemate. This served as an early warning to the South American side about PSG's potential to explode when they are allowed to play at their own pace.

By the 38th minute, the momentum had shifted completely in favor of Luis Enrique's team, as reflected on the scoreline. From an attacking move down the left wing, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia made a clever run, received the ball at close range, and finished with a delicate shot to open the scoring. The goal was a well-deserved reward for PSG's dominance, but the joy was short-lived as Lee Kang-In had to leave the field due to injury a few minutes earlier, forcing the coach to make an early substitution.

Flamengo fought back, but Jorginho brought the game back to a tie.

The second half saw a completely different Flamengo. In a 4-2-3-1 formation, the Copa Libertadores champions pushed their lines higher, utilizing their attacking trio behind the striker to exploit the gaps between PSG's defense and midfield. Giorgian De Arrascaeta's mobility helped Flamengo regain control in crucial areas.

In the 59th minute, the turning point came. Marquinhos fouled De Arrascaeta in the penalty area, gifting Flamengo a penalty. From the penalty spot in the 62nd minute, Jorginho – a former Chelsea and Arsenal player – remained calm and beat Safonov to equalize 1-1, bringing the final back to a tie.

From that point until the end of the 90 minutes, and then both extra time periods, the match became a contest between two goalkeepers. Agustin Rossi repeatedly saved Flamengo from dangerous shots by Ousmane Dembele and Bradley Barcola. On the opposite side, Safonov maintained absolute concentration, reading the game well to neutralize the Brazilian team's attacks.

The penalty shootout and the moment Safonov entered the "hall of legends".

When 120 minutes fail to determine a winner, the final goes to a penalty shootout. This is when the goalkeepers' mental preparation, composure, and judgment become the deciding factors.

For PSG, Matvey Safonov turned the goal into his own stage. The Russian goalkeeper made four consecutive saves from penalties taken by Saul Niguez, Pedro, Leo Pereira, and Luiz Araujo. Each diving save by Safonov not only kept PSG in the competition but also eroded the confidence of the Flamengo players.

On the other side of the penalty area, Agustin Rossi was equally impressive. He saved Bradley Barcola's shot, while Ousmane Dembele's strike hit the crossbar, making the penalty shootout incredibly tense for PSG fans.

In that tense situation, the composure of Vitinha and Nuno Mendes proved key. Both players successfully converted their penalties, securing a 2-1 victory for PSG in the nerve-wracking shootout. When the decisive shot found the back of the net and the final whistle blew, the PSG players collapsed onto the Doha pitch in overwhelming joy.

The significance of a new title and status for Safonov.

The FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2025 title is the first intercontinental trophy in PSG's trophy room. It's not just a new trophy on display, but also a testament to the French team's resilience in the face of maximum pressure against the South American champions – a formidable opponent in do-or-die matches.

For Safonov, the Ahmad bin Ali night could be considered a major milestone in his career. Four penalty saves in a final is a number difficult to replicate, and that performance was enough to put him in the conversation about the best penalty shootout goalkeepers in the history of major club cup competitions.

Built on a well-organized 4-3-3 formation, Kvaratskhelia's opening goal, Vitinha's composure, and Nuno Mendes' penalty-taking prowess, PSG had a perfect night in terms of results. But when recalling the standout moments, Safonov's diving saves against Saul Niguez, Pedro, Leo Pereira, and Luiz Araujo will be the most vivid memory for French fans of that historic night in Doha.

Score and goalscorers

Final score:Paris Saint-Germain 1 - 1 Flamengo (PSG won 2-1 on penalties)

Goal scorer:

• PSG: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (38th minute)
• Flamengo: Jorginho (62nd minute, penalty)

Starting lineup