#10 French striker of Paris Saint-Germain Ousmane Dembele celebrates his team’s first goal during the French Champions Trophy final football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and AS Monaco (ASM) at the Stadium 974 in Doha on January 5, 2025. (Photo by KARIM JAAFAR / AFP)
Ousmane Dembélé’s stoppage-time goal settled the French Champions Trophy on Sunday, giving Paris Saint-Germain a 1-0 victory over Monaco in a match played in Doha.
PSG’s troubles in front of goal this season have often cost them dearly in the Champions League, and they were thwarted throughout this match by a combination of poor finishing and fine saves from Monaco goalkeeper Philipp Koehn.
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However, it was ultimately a deserved victory for Luis Enrique’s side in Qatar, as PSG lifted the trophy – the French equivalent of a Super Cup or England’s Community Shield – for the 11th time in the last 12 seasons.
“It was a great match between two teams who play good football,” said Luis Enrique.
“The result is deserved and reflects our domination… against one of the best teams in France and Europe.
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This meeting was to take place in Beijing on August 8 as a curtain-raiser to the French campaign.
However, the match was ultimately canceled by Chinese authorities and Qatar – which owns PSG through Qatar Sports Investments – stepped in to host the match.
It took place at Stadium 974 in Doha, which hosted the matches of the 2022 World Cup organized in Qatar and which was not full for this match.
PSG won domestic honors in France last season and were looking to win the first leg of another treble in this campaign.
A 4-2 victory at Monaco last month, when Dembele scored a brace, saw them finish 2024 10 points clear at the top of Ligue 1 by both Marseille and the principality club.
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Key month
When Désiré Doué pounced on a poor pass from Koehn and sent a shot off the bar in the eighth minute, it looked like it was going to be a long night for Monaco.
Vitinha sent a shot just wide and Lee Kang-in saw a thunderous strike tipped over by Koehn, although Monaco also threatened when a Maghnes Akliouche shot was palmed away by Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Eliesse Ben Seghir also tested PSG’s Italian goalkeeper shortly after the break, and Vanderson hit the post from a tight angle for Monaco, but PSG stepped up the pressure as the second half progressed.
The match nevertheless headed to penalties before the goal came in the 92nd minute, as substitute Fabian Ruiz was released on the left and sent a low ball across the penalty area for Dembele to convert. second post.
It’s the perfect start to a big month for PSG, which will see them face Manchester City in a crucial Champions League match on January 22.
Monaco also have a few key weeks ahead of them, including matches against Aston Villa and Inter Milan as they too look to qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League.
“A goal in the last minute always feels like being stabbed in the back,” said Monaco’s Austrian coach Adi Huetter.
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“But to be honest, PSG deserved to win. They had more opportunities. »
