PSG win on penalties after tense xG battle in Italy

Editorial take on how xG and penalties decided the UEFA Super Cup clash in Italy.

PSG win on penalties after tense xG battle with Spurs

Paris Saint-Germain beat Tottenham on penalties after a 2-2 draw in the UEFA Super Cup in Italy. Tottenham led the match with a higher overall xG, finishing 1.38 to PSG’s 1.17, and controlled much of the first half. In the second half PSG fought back, shifting the balance to 0.9 xG for them and 0.16 for Spurs as the game opened up. The result shows that a stronger late performance by PSG outweighed the early momentum Tottenham built, and it left players and fans reflecting on how the match was decided by a shootout rather than the run of play.

The game also highlights how xG can tell part of the story but not the final outcome. Tottenham’s early advantage in chances didn’t translate into a win, and PSG’s improved pressing and composure in the second half ultimately carried the day. The clash in Italy offered a snapshot of two teams at different points in their pre-season rhythm, with penalties sealing the result after a high-stakes, end-to-end finish.

The match underlines a familiar football truth: data tells one part of the story while nerves and moments decide the rest. Tottenham showed attacking intent and finished with strong underlying figures, but Paris Saint-Germain adapted in the later stages, showing the importance of depth and composure. The Super Cup setting amplified margins—small errors at key moments, not long spells of domination, shaped the winner. For Spurs, the takeaway is clear: quality chances must convert when it matters most. For PSG, the night reinforced the value of belief and timing in a final, even when the opening exchanges favored the opposition.

Highlights

A night that tests how teams translate potential into silverware, not just how they read the numbers.