PSG Starts Over with Kvaratskhelia: Wins Another Super Cup, Defeats Aston Villa

Paris Saint-Germain picks up right where it left off last season: with a win. Luis Enrique’s team defeated Aston Villa 2-1 at the stadium in Salzburg, winning the first trophy of the season—the UEFA Super Cup—and repeating its 2025 victory. This is the thirteenth title Luis Enrique has won as head coach of the Parisian club.

Kvaratskhelia, last season’s best player, got the scoring started in the 20th minute by netting the opening goal: following persistent pressure from PSG, Bizot parried an initial shot by Doué, who then did well to set up the Georgian, who fired a right-footed shot past the opposing goalkeeper at the near post.

Aston Villa refused to play the role of sacrificial lamb and created a string of chances to equalize thanks to the surprising 17-year-old Madjo, who in the 41st minute missed a golden opportunity to take the lead from just a few steps out, hit the post in the 44th minute, and in the 45th minute scored the well-deserved 1-1 equalizer off an assist from McGinn.

In the second half, PSG regrouped: Luis Enrique brought on Ballon d’Or winner Dembelé in place of Akliouche, and the French international proved decisive in the European champions’ equalizer in the 61st minute. It was Dembelé who, on the edge of offside, set up Doué, who beat Bizot with his left foot to put his team back in the lead. In the closing minutes, PSG methodically controlled the English side’s reaction and faced almost no further pressure.

The match also featured a special protagonist off the field: the game was officiated by Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, appointed by UEFA in a gesture of great symbolic significance. Artan had been selected by FIFA as one of the referees for the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the United States, but he was turned away at the U.S. border and sent back to Africa, unwittingly becoming one of the most talked-about stories of the World Cup. UEFA sought to recognize his qualities by entrusting him with this final, as part of the Memorandum of Understanding signed with the Confederation of African Football. UEFA President Ceferin stated: “Soccer is meant to bring people together, and UEFA wants to show its respect for Omar and his exceptional refereeing skills.”