Safonov Leads PSG Towards the Cup in a Single Night

On December 17, in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup final, France's PSG defeated Brazil's Flamengo. After regulation and extra time ended in a 1-1 draw, the Parisians triumphed in the penalty shootout.

The standout hero of the series was Russian goalkeeper Matvey Safonov, who saved four consecutive penalty kicks. This achievement is noted as the first of its kind in the 121-year history of FIFA-sanctioned tournaments.

Before the final, it was unclear who would guard PSG’s goal. Chevalier, who recently returned from injury, was under consideration, but Safonov's recent performances in the last three matches had been reliable (despite conceding two goals against Metz).

Head coach Luis Enrique placed his trust in the Russian goalkeeper, and the decision paid off. Safonov was not kept busy for most of the match, but mid-way through the second half, a penalty was awarded against PSG.

Jorginho successfully converted the penalty, deceiving the goalkeeper. Notably, it was this goal that pushed the match into a penalty shootout, paving the way for Safonov's subsequent heroics.

In the penalty shootout, Safonov conceded the first strike but saved all subsequent attempts. While the quality of the shots can be debated, the goalkeeper's contribution was undeniable: some players aimed straight at the center, while others targeted the corners, yet Safonov found answers to them all.

Throughout the series, he appeared completely composed, growing more confident with each save. Only after the decisive save did he reveal his emotions, celebrating alongside his teammates, who lifted him in triumph. Safonov truly embodied the role of the match’s hero.

Following this performance, it is widely believed that Enrique no longer has the moral right to leave Safonov on the bench in upcoming matches. The coach now faces a difficult choice: the fans’ beloved hero Safonov or Chevalier, whose costly transfer was made despite his frequently criticized mistakes.

Some argue this situation stems from Enrique’s own decisions: why invest so heavily in Chevalier when Safonov had already proven his competitiveness last season, even outperforming Gianluigi Donnarumma in some matches? It is worth noting that Safonov featured in 17 matches last season, while Donnarumma, by the end of the season, was named the world’s best goalkeeper by FIFA and France Football.

This fact alone demonstrates the trust placed in Safonov was not misplaced. He made hardly any errors, with only one unfortunate incident recalled—a mishap during a Champions League game against Bayern Munich.

While that mistake proved costly, it is regarded more as an unlucky incident. Currently, with a break in the French championship, Enrique has time to carefully assess the situation.

PSG is set to face Vende-Fontaine in a cup match soon, where Safonov may be given rest. However, it remains uncertain who will start in PSG’s first game of 2026.

For now, the advantage leans toward Safonov. Fans may not forgive Enrique if he immediately reinstates Chevalier, whose errors are often criticized, to the main lineup. Safonov has already established himself as PSG’s first-choice goalkeeper, and how long he maintains this status largely depends on his own performance.

At the same time, given that Enrique advocated for the summer transfer, there is always a possibility that Safonov could be replaced with Chevalier following his first mistake. Dmitry Milyaev

Read “Zamin” on Telegram!