Paris Saint-Germain claimed the French Champions Trophy (Trophée des Champions) with a dramatic 4-1 penalty shootout victory over Marseille on Thursday, following a thrilling 2-2 draw after extra time. The match, played in Kuwait, saw PSG goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier emerge as the undisputed hero by saving two crucial spot-kicks—from Marseille’s Matt O’Riley and Hamed Traore—before Désiré Doué converted the decisive penalty to seal the triumph for Luis Enrique’s side. This marked PSG’s record-extending 14th win in the competition, equivalent to France’s Super Cup.

PSG struck first through Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé, who deftly lifted the ball over Marseille goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli in the early stages. Marseille’s keeper later denied Nuno Mendes a certain second goal, while Chevalier produced key saves to keep PSG ahead, including a superb stop from Emerson’s goal-bound effort and a remarkable block on Igor Paixão’s header around the hour mark. The game turned chaotic in the closing stages when Chevalier conceded a penalty after an ugly challenge, allowing former Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood to level the scores from the spot with 15 minutes remaining.

As the match appeared headed for penalties, Marseille nearly snatched victory in the dying moments when PSG center-back Willian Pacho’s misplaced clearance wrong-footed his own goalkeeper. However, in the fifth minute of stoppage time, Gonçalo Ramos poked home Bradley Barcola’s cross to force the shootout. In the ensuing penalty lottery, Chevalier’s two saves proved decisive, handing PSG the silverware despite a frenetic and error-strewn contest.

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The fixture, traditionally contested between Ligue 1 champions and French Cup winners, has become nomadic in recent years as the French Football Federation promotes the league abroad. Previous editions have been held in countries including Canada, China, Gabon, Israel, Qatar, the USA, Morocco, and Austria. This edition in Kuwait drew criticism from fans of both clubs, who have expressed frustration over high travel costs and the tournament’s relocation. A banner displayed at Marseille’s Stade Vélodrome during a recent Ligue 1 match captured the sentiment: “FCT 2026 in Kuwait. And for 2027, on the moon?”

With the trophy secured, PSG—currently second in Ligue 1, one point behind Lens—now turn their focus to domestic and European commitments. They host Lille next Friday and aim to secure automatic qualification to the Champions League last 16 as third in the league phase with two games left. Marseille, seven points behind PSG in third, travels to Angers and remains in contention for a Champions League play-off spot. Despite the result, both clubs’ supporters have largely shunned the competition, underscoring ongoing discontent with its format and venue choices.

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