JONATHAN SHALLARD in SALZBURG —- Paris Saint-Germain underlined their status as the dominant force in European club football by defeating Aston Villa 2-1 in the UEFA Super Cup in Salzburg, handing coach Luis Enrique a remarkable sixth European trophy from six continental finals.

The reigning Champions League holders were made to work for the season’s opening silverware by an ambitious Villa side making only their second appearance in the competition. But, as has become the hallmark of Enrique’s PSG, decisive moments were seized with ruthless efficiency.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia fired the French champions ahead midway through the first half after reacting quickest inside the penalty area, seemingly placing PSG in complete control.

Villa, however, refused to be overawed. On the stroke of half-time, 17-year-old Brian Madjo announced himself on the European stage by finishing confidently to become the youngest goalscorer in UEFA Super Cup history, sending the Premier League side into the interval level and believing an upset might be within reach.

That belief endured for much of an evenly contested second half until Désiré Doué, already one of Europe’s brightest young stars, once again proved decisive on the biggest stage. Racing beyond the Villa defence, Doué finished coolly after a lengthy VAR review overturned an offside flag, restoring PSG’s advantage with the goal that ultimately settled the contest.

Villa, expertly organised by Unai Emery, pushed desperately for another equaliser in the closing stages. Matvey Safonov produced important saves, while Warren Zaïre-Emery made a crucial defensive intervention as PSG withstood sustained pressure to preserve their lead and claim back-to-back UEFA Super Cup triumphs.

For Aston Villa, defeat will sting after an energetic and courageous display that suggested last season’s Europa League triumph was no one-off. Emery’s side matched Europe’s champions for long spells, with teenage sensation Madjo providing a glimpse of a hugely promising future.

Champion coach

Yet the night belonged once again to Paris Saint-Germain and, above all, to Luis Enrique.

Since arriving in the French capital, the Spaniard has transformed PSG from perennial contenders into serial winners. Tonight’s success represents his sixth major European trophy as a coach, and remarkably he has maintained a perfect record in continental finals.

His teams continue to combine technical excellence with tactical discipline and a relentless winning mentality, qualities that have elevated PSG into one of the defining club sides of this era.

The victory also reinforces PSG’s growing collection of international honours. Having retained the Super Cup, the Champions League winners begin another campaign with silverware already secured, while rivals across Europe are left searching for a way to halt a side that continues to set the standard.

If there were any doubts about who currently sits atop European football, Salzburg provided another emphatic answer. PSG found a way, as champions invariably do, and Luis Enrique walked away with yet another continental trophy to add to an extraordinary collection.

The teams

Paris Saint-Germain (4-3-3): M Safanov — A Hakimi, Marquinhos, W Pacho, Nuno Mendes (L Hernandez 75min) — João Neves (F Ruiz 75), Vitinha, Zaïre-Emery — M Akliouche (O Dembélé 46), D Doué (S Mayulu 87), K Kvaratskhelia (L Beraldo 88).

Aston Villa (4-2-3-1): M Bizot — M Cash, V Lindelof, P Torres (T Mings 79), I Maatsen — J Gomes (R Barkley 79), B Kamara (L Bogarde 72) — J McGinn (Alysson 73), E Buendia, G Hemmings — B Madjo (T Abraham 72). Yellow cards: Torres, Gomes, McGinn.

Referee: O Artan (Som).

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