Dembele's Last-Minute Strike Secures PSG French Super Cup Triumph Over Monaco

Dembele's Last-Minute Strike Secures PSG French Super Cup Triumph Over Monaco

DOHA: A dramatic stoppage-time goal from Ousmane Dembele handed Paris Saint-Germain a 1-0 victory over AS Monaco in the French Super Cup on Sunday, securing the trophy for the Ligue 1 champions for the third consecutive season.

PSG, the record 13-time winners of the competition, triumphed after having claimed both the Ligue 1 title and the French Cup last season, extending their dominance with their 11th Super Cup win in the past 12 years.

"It was a great game between two teams who play excellent football," said PSG head coach Luis Enrique. "The result is deserved and reflects our superiority … against one of the best teams in France and Europe."

In a thrilling encounter at Doha’s Stadium 974, constructed from 974 recycled shipping containers for the 2022 World Cup, PSG created 27 chances, nine of which were on target, but struggled to break the deadlock.

With the match seemingly heading for penalties, Dembele came to PSG’s rescue in injury time, slamming home from close range into the far post after a precise cross from Fabian Ruiz.

PSG came close to scoring earlier, with summer signing Desire Doue hitting the crossbar in the 9th minute, and Lee Kang-In’s long-range shot being saved by Monaco goalkeeper Philipp Koehn in first-half stoppage time.

Dembele and Vitinha also tested Koehn, while Monaco’s Maghnes Akliouche and Takumi Minamino forced PSG’s Gianluigi Donnarumma into key saves in his return to action after recovering from a facial injury.

"A goal in the last minute always feels like a stab in the back," said Monaco coach Adi Hütter. "But to be honest, PSG deserved the win. They had more chances."

This was the first scoreless first half in a French Super Cup since 2010, when Olympique de Marseille triumphed over PSG 5-4 on penalties after a goalless draw.

PSG, who defeated Nantes and Toulouse in the previous two editions, had also beaten Monaco 4-2 in Ligue 1 last month, with Dembele scoring twice in the second half.

Monaco, who last lifted the French Super Cup in 2000, have been runners-up on two occasions in recent years, losing to PSG in both 2017 and 2018.

Next up for PSG is a league fixture at home against St Etienne next Sunday, while Monaco will visit struggling Nantes on Friday.