UDINE: Two late goals and a shootout recovery from 2-0 down saw Paris Saint-Germain haul themselves back to win the UEFA Super Cup by defeating Tottenham 3-2 on penalties after a 2-2 draw over 90-minutes in north-eastern Italy.

Spurs led 2-0 with five minutes of normal time remaining but then substitutes’ strikes from Lee Kang-in and Goncalo Ramos reversed the emotional momentum. Tottenham led 2-0 again in the shootout but failures from Micky van de Ven and Mathys Tel handed PSG an advantage crowned by a decisive last kick from Nuno Mendes.

The winners of the Champions League thus won the Super Cup for the seventh successive year after an entertaining duel which saw Paris Saint-Germain overcome their short turn-around after reaching last month’s semi-final of the FIFA Club World Cup. Thomas Frank’s new look, reshaped Tottenham were an impressive better team for the first hour but PSG’s substitutions turned the game around.

Frank sent out his team in a 5-3-2 formation with debuts for new signings Joao Palhinha in midfield and Mohammed Kudus up front alongside Richarlison.

PSG, beaten surprisingly decisively by another English club Chelsea in the Club World Cup, brought in new goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier. The Frenchman, replacing Gianluigi Donnarumma, was soon showing his prowess with an agile save from Richarlison after 25 minutes.

Ousmane Dembele sliced high over the bar as PSG responded before Tottenhan took the lead in the 39th minute. Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario slung a long free kick out to the left, Romero headed into the penalty box and, after Palhinha’s effort was tipped on to the bar by Chevalier, Micky van der Van pounced to score his first Spurs goal in 15 months.

Tottenham might even have gone in at the interval two goals clear but a Kudus header ricocheted back off Chevalier’s left-hand post. In fact an assistant had already flagged for offside.

No matter. Three minutes into the second half captain Romero extended Tottenham’s lead with a ‘free’ far-post header to Porro’s angled free kick.

Tempers began to flare and referee Joao Pinheiro showed yellow cards to Barcola and Pacho plus Richarlison and Kevin Danso.

PSG began to press insistently, especially after the introducton of Fabian Ruiz into midfield. Tottenham’s covering in defence was exceptional but the European and French champions’ efforts were finally rewarded with an 86th-minute strike from Lee Kang-in, another substitute.

The tempo was raised yet again and PSG levelled with a diving header four minutes into stoppage time from Goncalo Ramos to a right-wing cross from Dembele.

The teams

Paris Saint-Germain: Chevalier – Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Nuno Mendes – Zaïre-Emery (Kang-In 68), Vitinha, Doué, (Goncalo Ramos 77) – Kvaratskhelia (Fabian Ruiz 60), Dembele, Barcola (Mbaye 67). Unused subs: Safonov, Marin, Hernandez, Lucas Beraldo, Kamara. Coach: Luis Enrique.

Tottenham: Vicario – Porro, Danso, Romero, Van de Ven, Spence – João Palhinha (Gray 72), Sarr (Bergvall 90), Bentancur – Kudus (Tel 79), Richarlison (Solanke 72). Subs: Austin, Kinský, Davies, Vušković, Byfield, Bergvall, Johnson, Odobert. Manager: Frank.

Penalties (Tottenham first): Solanke 1-0, Vitinha wide 1-0; Bentancur 2-0, Goncalo Ramos 2-1; Van de Ven saved, Dembele 2-2; Tel wide 2-2, Lee 2-3; Porro 3-3, Nuno Mendes 3-4.

Referee: João Pinheiro (Portugal). VAR: Tiago Martins (Portugal)

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