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08/12 16:33 CDT Paris Saint-Germain retains UEFA Super Cup as Dou goal seals
2-1 win over Aston Villa
Paris Saint-Germain retains UEFA Super Cup as Dou goal seals 2-1 win over
Aston Villa
By STEVE DOUGLAS
AP Sports Writer
Paris Saint-Germain won the UEFA Super Cup for a second straight year by
beating Aston Villa 2-1 on Wednesday thanks to Dsir Dou's second-half goal
in the annual curtain-raiser to the European soccer season.
Dou's 61st-minute strike after running onto Ousmane Dembl's pass was
initially ruled out for offside, only for the goal to be awarded following a
video review.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia's powerfully struck opener in the 20th was canceled out
by a volley from Brian Madjo, a 17-year-old striker making his competitive
debut for Villa days after getting approval to play following a dispute with
FIFA over his registration.
It's the first of a possible six trophies this season for PSG, which became the
first team to win back-to-back Super Cup titles since Real Madrid (2016 and
'17).
The Super Cup is an annual early-season match between the most recent winners
of the Champions League (PSG) and Europa League (Villa).
Referee was the Somali official barred from World Cup The game in Salzburg, Austria, was refereed by Omar Artan, the Somali who was barred by the United States from officiating at the World Cup days before the start of FIFA's tournament because of vetting concerns. U.S. officials claimed Artan had connections to terror organizations, though without providing proof. UEFA responded by picking Artan --- a referee judged the best in Africa last season --- to take charge of the Super Cup in a powerplay by European soccer's governing body amid its increasing disconnect with FIFA. That disharmony has increased since, with UEFA leading the campaign to oust Gianni Infantino from the FIFA presidency over his recent --- aborted --- plan to sell an interest in the World Cup. Artan was the first non-European referee to take charge of the Super Cup.
Another season, another trophy for PSG
After winning five titles last season, PSG is back on the trophy trail already --- and could pick up a second in the 2026-27 campaign when it takes on Lens in the Trophe des Champions on Sunday. That's a match between last season's league and cup winners in France. Dou was one of the PSG players who only returned to training on Monday following the World Cup, but he was handed a start by coach Luis Enrique and proved to be the matchwinner. The 21-year-old forward ran through unchallenged after latching onto Dembl's pass behind the Villa defense and curled a left-foot shot into the far corner. The offside flag was then raised but a check by the VAR showed that Villa right back Matty Cash was keeping Dou onside. Artan awarded the goal after the review and Dou punched the air in delight. Kvaratskhelia was PSG's standout player of the first half and his goal was mesmeric as he cut in from the left and lashed a fierce, rising shot inside the near post.
Teenager Madjo causes havoc Remember the name: Brian Madjo. It was quite the debut by the powerfully built teenager who was born in north London, has played three friendly matches for Luxembourg, and now has decided to represent England. Madjo joined Villa from French club Metz in January but FIFA blocked his registration because its transfer rules limit international moves by players under the age of 18. Villa appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport and it was upheld last week, allowing him to make his club debut as the youngest player to feature in a Super Cup. He caused havoc at times for PSG's elite center-half duo of Willian Pacho and Marquinhos and could have scored two or three goals before finally getting on the scoresheet by meeting John McGinn's cross with a volley into the roof of the net. Moments earlier, Madjo had bundled past Pacho and hit the post with a shot. It was a fourth straight loss in the Super Cup for Villa manager Unai Emery, whose other losses came with Sevilla (twice) and Villarreal. ___ AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Referee was the Somali official barred from World Cup The game in Salzburg, Austria, was refereed by Omar Artan, the Somali who was barred by the United States from officiating at the World Cup days before the start of FIFA's tournament because of vetting concerns. U.S. officials claimed Artan had connections to terror organizations, though without providing proof. UEFA responded by picking Artan --- a referee judged the best in Africa last season --- to take charge of the Super Cup in a powerplay by European soccer's governing body amid its increasing disconnect with FIFA. That disharmony has increased since, with UEFA leading the campaign to oust Gianni Infantino from the FIFA presidency over his recent --- aborted --- plan to sell an interest in the World Cup. Artan was the first non-European referee to take charge of the Super Cup.
Another season, another trophy for PSG
After winning five titles last season, PSG is back on the trophy trail already --- and could pick up a second in the 2026-27 campaign when it takes on Lens in the Trophe des Champions on Sunday. That's a match between last season's league and cup winners in France. Dou was one of the PSG players who only returned to training on Monday following the World Cup, but he was handed a start by coach Luis Enrique and proved to be the matchwinner. The 21-year-old forward ran through unchallenged after latching onto Dembl's pass behind the Villa defense and curled a left-foot shot into the far corner. The offside flag was then raised but a check by the VAR showed that Villa right back Matty Cash was keeping Dou onside. Artan awarded the goal after the review and Dou punched the air in delight. Kvaratskhelia was PSG's standout player of the first half and his goal was mesmeric as he cut in from the left and lashed a fierce, rising shot inside the near post.
Teenager Madjo causes havoc Remember the name: Brian Madjo. It was quite the debut by the powerfully built teenager who was born in north London, has played three friendly matches for Luxembourg, and now has decided to represent England. Madjo joined Villa from French club Metz in January but FIFA blocked his registration because its transfer rules limit international moves by players under the age of 18. Villa appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport and it was upheld last week, allowing him to make his club debut as the youngest player to feature in a Super Cup. He caused havoc at times for PSG's elite center-half duo of Willian Pacho and Marquinhos and could have scored two or three goals before finally getting on the scoresheet by meeting John McGinn's cross with a volley into the roof of the net. Moments earlier, Madjo had bundled past Pacho and hit the post with a shot. It was a fourth straight loss in the Super Cup for Villa manager Unai Emery, whose other losses came with Sevilla (twice) and Villarreal. ___ AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
