Paris Saint-Germain are the champions of the 2025 FIFA Intercontinental Cup, but the real story of this final goes far beyond the trophy lifted in Qatar. PSG beat Flamengo on penalties after a thrilling 1–1 draw in regulation time and extra time, in a match that laid bare two uncomfortable and fascinating truths: South American soccer remains competitive at the highest level, and European star power doesn’t guarantee control once the ball starts moving. The decisive figure was an unlikely, recently arrived goalkeeper. Matvey Safonov became the hero by saving four penalty kicks and stealing the spotlight in a final that seemed built for famous forwards.
The title is French, but the script was balanced, intense and, at times, felt like a Libertadores final played on neutral ground. Flamengo lost, yes, but without leaving any doubt that they belong on this stage.
Safonov delivers what the attack could not
Extra time followed the same pattern. Chances for both sides, obvious fatigue and the sense that any goal would come more from persistence than control. Ndjantou and Luiz Araújo missed good opportunities, Dembélé caused concern with his dribbles and crosses, but failed to finish and never took on the leading role many expected. The deadlock held, and the final went to penalties.
That’s where Safonov tipped the balance. He saved shots from Saúl, Pedro, Léo Pereira and Luiz Araújo, always well positioned and quick to react. It wasn’t spectacular, it was efficient. Rossi kept Flamengo alive by stopping Barcola’s attempt, but PSG’s goalkeeper was having the kind of night that decides titles.
Dembélé and the contrast with reality
Ousmane Dembélé arrived in Qatar as FIFA’s best player in the world, but his performance on the field fell well short of that label. He came on in the second half, made poor decisions, missed his penalty and clearly lacked rhythm. It showed. He was coming off an injury, had logged few minutes in recent matches and hadn’t played for nearly two weeks. There’s nothing unfair about stating the obvious: the individual award didn’t show up in this final.
That only reinforces PSG’s collective merit and, at the same time, highlights how well Flamengo competed against a squad that was more expensive, deeper and filled with more options off the bench.
Flamengo lose, but assert themselves
Flamengo finish 2025 without the Intercontinental Cup trophy, but with something just as valuable: global respect. They went toe to toe with the European champions, absorbed pressure, created real chances and pushed the decision to its absolute limit. Rossi, Léo Ortiz, Pulgar, Arrascaeta, Jorginho and even Pedro, still working his way back from injury, showed that Brazilian soccer is far from losing its competitive edge, despite what many like to claim.
PSG take the trophy, deservedly, thanks to a goalkeeper who showed up when it mattered most. Flamengo leave without the silverware, but with respect intact and the clear sense that this final wasn’t decided by a technical gap, but by details, the kind that only appear in truly big games.