Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) cemented their dominance in global football on December 18, 2025, with Russian goalkeeper Matvei Safonov delivering a career-defining performance in their FIFA Intercontinental Cup victory against Brazil's Flamengo. The 26-year-old shot-stopper saved four consecutive penalties in a dramatic shootout, securing a 2-1 win after extra time ended 1-1 in Doha.
This triumph marks PSG's sixth trophy this year, completing an unprecedented sweep of the Trophée des Champions, Ligue 1, French Cup, UEFA Champions League, and UEFA Super Cup. The match saw Khvicha Kvaratskhelia open scoring in the 38th minute before Flamengo equalized through Jorginho's penalty.
Safonov's emergence as the unexpected hero adds another layer to PSG's historic season. The backup goalkeeper only entered the starting lineup in December after Lucas Chevalier's injury, making his decisive saves against Saul Niguez, Pedro, Leo Pereira, and Luiz Araújo particularly remarkable.
The victory holds special significance for both clubs – PSG claiming their first global title while Flamengo sought to repeat their 1981 Intercontinental Cup success. The Brazilian side had recently won both the Copa Libertadores and Brazilian championship, setting up a clash of continental champions.
With FIFA's 2025 Best Men's Player Ousmane Dembélé among those missing penalties in the shootout, Safonov's performance underscored football's unpredictable drama. As PSG celebrates their historic sextuple, attention now turns to whether they can maintain this dominance in 2026.
