the final of the 2025 FIFA Intercontinental Cup was held at the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium in Qatar. UEFA Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain faced Copa Libertadores champions Flamengo. The two sides were level at 1–1 after 90 minutes of regular time, and extra time failed to produce a winner. Paris Saint-Germain eventually triumphed 2–1 in the penalty shootout, winning 3–2 on aggregate to claim their first-ever Intercontinental Cup title and complete a historic sextuple in 2025.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia opened the scoring in the 38th minute, while Jorginho equalized from the penalty spot in the 62nd minute. In the shootout, PSG goalkeeper Matvey Safonov emerged as the hero, saving penalties from Saúl, Pedro, Pereira, and Araujo. Ousmane Dembélé and Bradley Barcola both missed for Paris, but Safonov’s heroics proved decisive.
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For this match, PSG defender Achraf Hakimi missed out through injury, while newly crowned World Footballer of the Year Ousmane Dembélé started on the bench. Kvaratskhelia, Désiré Doué, and Lee Kang-in formed the attacking trio. Flamengo were without Rodríguez due to injury, with Jorginho anchoring the midfield and Henrique leading the line as a lone striker.
In the 3rd minute, Vitinha fired from the edge of the box, but Rossi made the save. One minute later, Vitinha delivered a free kick from the right, and Neves volleyed into the left side netting. In the 7th minute, Lee Kang-in shot from the edge of the area, but Rossi collected comfortably. In the 9th minute, Rossi made a mistake while clearing the ball, allowing Fabián to lob the empty net. However, VAR intervened and ruled the goal out as the ball had crossed the byline beforehand.
In the 12th minute, Lee Kang-in’s corner was cleared at the near post, and Neves fired wide from inside the box. In the 17th minute, Henrique laid the ball off for Carrascal, whose shot was blocked, before Pulgar’s follow-up effort was saved by Safonov. In the 20th minute, Jorginho was booked for a foul on Kvaratskhelia, and Sandro received a yellow four minutes later for a challenge on Lee Kang-in. In the 30th minute, Neves saw another effort blocked, and in the 33rd minute, Fabián was booked for a high boot on Sandro. In the 35th minute, Lee Kang-in was forced off injured and replaced by Mayulu.
PSG took the lead in the 38th minute. Doué slipped a pass into the right side of the box, Rossi failed to deal with it, and Kvaratskhelia tapped into the empty net from close range to make it 1–0, scoring his sixth goal of the season.
Before halftime, Flamengo created chances through Arrascaeta and Pulgar, while Vitinha was booked for a foul on Henrique. PSG went into the break with a 1–0 lead.
The second half began with PSG on the front foot. In the 51st minute, Neves forced another save from Rossi, and in the 56th minute, Pedro replaced Carrascal for Flamengo.
In the 59th minute, Marquinhos fouled Arrascaeta in the box, and after a VAR review, a penalty was awarded. Three minutes later, Jorginho calmly converted, sending Safonov the wrong way to level the score at 1–1.
Both sides pushed for a winner. Neves had a close-range effort cleared off the line in the 73rd minute, while Flamengo made multiple substitutions. In the 78th minute, Barcola tested Rossi, and shortly after, Dembélé replaced Doué. Late chances fell to Vitinha, Dembélé, Pedro, and Henrique, but neither side could find a decisive goal.
After 90 minutes, the score remained 1–1, and the match went into extra time.
In extra time, both teams continued to create opportunities. Marquinhos and Neves both tested Rossi, while Flamengo threatened through Saúl and Araujo. Despite sustained pressure, neither side could score during the additional 30 minutes.
After 120 minutes, the final was decided by a penalty shootout.
Flamengo took the first kick. De La Cruz scored, and Vitinha responded to make it 1–1. Safonov then saved penalties from Saúl and Pedro, while Dembélé missed for PSG. Mendes converted to give Paris the lead, and Safonov went on to deny Pereira and Araujo. Despite Barcola missing his attempt, PSG prevailed 2–1 in the shootout.
Paris Saint-Germain won the penalty shootout 2–1 and the match 3–2 on aggregate, lifting the Intercontinental Cup trophy.
Lineups:
Paris Saint-Germain (4-3-3):
Safonov; Mendes, Pacho, Marquinhos, Emery; Fabián (Njantou 106’), Vitinha, Neves; Kvaratskhelia (Mbaye 91’), Doué (Dembélé 78’), Lee Kang-in (Mayulu 34’, Barcola 64’)
Flamengo (4-2-3-1):
Rossi; Varela, Ortiz, Pereira, Sandro; Pulgar (De La Cruz 75’), Jorginho (Saúl 74’); Plata (Lino 108’), Arrascaeta (Everton 74’), Carrascal (Pedro 56’); Henrique (Araujo 90’)
