Safonov Shines as PSG Overcome Flamengo in Intercontinental Cup Final

Reserve goalkeeper Matvei Safonov stopped four penalties while Paris Saint-Germain narrowly defeated Brazilian outfit Flamengo 2-1 on spot-kicks to secure the FIFA Intercontinental Cup final in Qatar on Wednesday.

Paris Saint-Germain went ahead thanks to Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, but Jorginhos penalty equalised for Flamengo, leaving the score at 1-1 after extra time.

The Copa Libertadores champions Flamengo overcame Mexican side Cruz Azul and African winners Pyramids last week to reach this encounter with PSG, delivering a tenacious effort against the European title holders.

However, Luis Enriques team, granted a straight path to the final, relied heavily on Safonov to clinch the win, mirroring Real Madrids success in claiming the debut trophy last year.

Paris Saint-Germain believed they had scored first in the ninth minute when Fabian Ruiz astutely volleyed the ball into an open goal following a poor clearance by Flamengo keeper Agustin Rossi as he aimed to avert a corner.

VAR intervention disallowed the goal, however, as Rossi had barely kept the ball in play.

Still, Paris Saint-Germain did forge ahead eight minutes shy of the interval due to yet another blunder from Rossi.

The Argentine keeper deflected Desire Doues low pass, which appeared overpowered for Kvaratskhelia, right into the path of the Georgian for an effortless finish.

Flamengo remained competitive and received a penalty in the 60th minute after Marquinhos fouled Uruguayan playmaker Giorgian de Arrascaeta, a decision upheld by VAR.

The former Chelsea and Arsenal man Jorginho converted coolly, wrong-footing Safonov with his signature technique.

Paris Saint-Germain sought a decisive goal, introducing Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Dembele, who fashioned a late opportunity for Marquinhos.

Yet the defender could not adjust swiftly enough, slicing his shot wide as the ball skimmed across the goalmouth, forcing the match into extra time.

The additional period brought fleeting chances for both sides, notably Dembele firing just wide in the 116th minute.

This scenario allowed Safonov, standing in for primary keeper Lucas Chevalier still building fitness post ankle injury, to emerge as the standout performer, rescuing the situation after Dembele and Barcola faltered in Paris Saint-Germains shoot-out attempts.