Paris Saint-Germain opened the new European season exactly as they ended the last one: lifting a trophy. The French champions defeated Aston Villa 2-1 in the 2026 UEFA Super Cup at Red Bull Arena in Salzburg, becoming only the third club in the competition’s history to win the trophy in back-to-back years, following in the footsteps of AC Milan and Real Madrid.
It was a fitting curtain-raiser to the European season, pitting the reigning Champions League winners against a resurgent Aston Villa side that had claimed its first European trophy since 1982 by winning the Europa League. For PSG, the win extends a period of sustained dominance that saw the club collect five major titles in the previous season alone.
Match Summary
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Result | PSG 2-1 Aston Villa |
| Venue | Red Bull Arena, Salzburg, Austria |
| PSG goalscorers | Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (20′), Desire Doue (61′) |
| Villa goalscorer | Brian Madjo |
| Historical note | PSG became only the third club to retain the Super Cup, after AC Milan and Real Madrid |
Kvaratskhelia Sets the Tone Early
PSG made their attacking intentions clear from the opening exchanges, and it was Khvicha Kvaratskhelia who broke the deadlock in the 20th minute with a powerfully struck opener that gave the French side an early lead. That kind of statement goal against a well-organized Villa side set the tone for a match in which PSG largely controlled proceedings without ever fully putting the contest beyond doubt.
Aston Villa responded with genuine ambition rather than sitting back to protect the deficit. Seventeen-year-old striker Brian Madjo, making his competitive debut for the club just days after receiving clearance to play following a registration dispute with FIFA, leveled the score with a well-struck volley, giving Villa a foothold in the match heading into the second half.
Doue’s Controversial Winner
The decisive moment arrived in the 61st minute, when Desire Doue ran onto a pass from Ousmane Dembele behind the Villa defense and curled a left-footed finish into the far corner. The goal was initially ruled out for offside before a VAR review determined that Villa defender Matty Cash had inadvertently played Doue onside, and referee Omar Artan awarded the goal after the check.
Doue’s involvement carried its own storyline. The 21-year-old forward had only returned to PSG training on the Monday before the match following international duty at the World Cup, yet head coach Luis Enrique handed him a starting role that ultimately proved decisive. It marked another significant moment in a breakout period for the young forward, who has increasingly become a central figure in PSG’s attack.
Villa’s Missing Pieces
Aston Villa’s task was complicated significantly by the absence of several key players. Forward Ollie Watkins, defender Ezri Konsa and goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez were all unavailable, having been given extended breaks following deep runs at the World Cup with their respective national teams. New signing Johan Manzambi, who had impressed for Switzerland during the tournament, was also sidelined through injury and unable to feature.
Despite those absences, Villa were far from passive. The club finished the match with 15 shots, three more than PSG managed across the full 90 minutes, a statistic that reflects genuine attacking intent even against one of the most talented squads in European football. It simply was not enough to overcome PSG’s clinical edge in front of goal.
A Third Club to Achieve Back-to-Back Titles
PSG’s victory carries genuine historical weight. Only AC Milan and Real Madrid had previously managed to win the UEFA Super Cup in consecutive years, placing PSG’s current side in rare company. The club previously won last year’s edition by coming from behind to beat fellow English side Tottenham Hotspur, meaning both of PSG’s Super Cup triumphs in this run have come against Premier League opposition.
For a club that collected five major trophies across the previous season, including the Champions League itself, the Super Cup win reinforces PSG’s status as the dominant force in European club football heading into the new campaign. Captain Marquinhos lifted the trophy for the second consecutive year, a fitting image for a squad that has built genuine continuity at the top of the European game.
What Comes Next for Both Clubs
PSG’s celebrations will be brief. The club returns to competitive action almost immediately in the Trophee des Champions against Lens, a match between the previous season’s Ligue 1 champions and French Cup winners, giving Luis Enrique’s side little time to rest before the domestic season fully takes shape.
For Aston Villa, the defeat is a setback but not a disaster given the context of their depleted squad. Reaching a European final of any kind remains a significant achievement for a club still rebuilding its continental pedigree, and the emergence of a talent like Brian Madjo, scoring on his competitive debut against elite opposition, offers a genuinely promising sign for the club’s immediate future.
What was the final score in the UEFA Super Cup?
Paris Saint-Germain defeated Aston Villa 2-1 in Salzburg, Austria.
Who scored PSG’s goals?
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia opened the scoring in the 20th minute, and Desire Doue scored the winner in the 61st minute following a VAR review.
Is this PSG’s first Super Cup title in consecutive years?
Yes. PSG became only the third club in competition history to win back-to-back UEFA Super Cups, following AC Milan and Real Madrid.
Why were several Aston Villa players missing from the match?
Ollie Watkins, Ezri Konsa and Emiliano Martinez were rested following deep World Cup runs, while new signing Johan Manzambi was out injured.
How did Aston Villa qualify for the Super Cup?
Villa qualified by winning the 2025-26 UEFA Europa League, their first European trophy since 1982.
