Paris Saint-Germain have struck first in France’s new year. In a fierce Trophée des Champions 2025, PSG beat Marseille on penalties after a deadlock in regular time. The trophy returns to Paris, and it took nerve to grab it. One flash of genius from Ousmane Dembélé lit the night. His cool lob will live long in this rivalry.
The moment that turned the match
Dembélé saw it early. A high line. A keeper off his spot. One touch to settle, one glance, and a perfect lob. The ball dropped sweetly into the net. The PSG bench exploded. Marseille fans fell silent for a beat, then roared back. That was the standard in this game. Tight margins. Fast decisions. No room for doubt.
PSG needed a spark in a tense match. Dembélé gave it with skill and daring. It was not a hit and hope. It was measured, timed, and ice cold. In Le Classique, that is how you break a stalemate. He did it with class and calm. ⚽️
Dembélé’s lob changed the temperature of the match. It forced Marseille to chase and reset PSG’s rhythm.
Nerves of steel in the shootout
When the whistle ended extra time, you could feel the weight. The whole stadium held its breath. PSG stepped up to the spot with poise. Body language told the story. Heads still. Eyes fixed. Every kick had purpose. A single Marseille miss, and one Paris save, proved the difference. It was that tight. It often is in this cup.
PSG looked prepared for the moment. The run ups were steady. The placement was sharp. That is coaching and repetition. That is veteran poise from a star locker room. Marseille were brave, but one slip was punished. In a night this tense, that is the line.
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How PSG shaped the win
This was not a free show. PSG had to grind. The midfield shield kept balance. They cut lanes and slowed Marseille’s wide breaks. The back line stayed compact, which removed easy entries. Up top, runners kept OM’s defense honest. Dembélé’s threat on the shoulder changed spacing all night.
The plan did not chase chaos. It valued control, then sudden speed. You saw it in transitions. Three passes, then a burst. It suits this group. It suited this match. The staff will love the composure. The players will love the medal. A cup in early January builds belief and sets the tone.
Early trophies build habits. Habits win tight Champions League and league nights later in the season.
What this means for Marseille
Marseille will be sick of the result, but not the performance. The shape was brave. The press had bite. The back line held up for long spells. The issue was the final ball and clarity around the box. They forced errors, then lost rhythm in the last action. That can be fixed with reps and a cleaner touch.
This is still a statement. OM took PSG to the limit on neutral ground. The team looks harder, fitter, and more united. The path is clear. Keep the press. Sharpen the end product. Protect the ball late in halves. Le Classique always tests your nerve. Tonight, OM learned where they must grow next.
Turning points you could feel
- Dembélé’s lob, pure quality, shifted the mood and space.
- Marseille’s missed half chances before the break kept PSG alive.
- Late PSG switches to fresh legs raised control in extra time.
- One miss in the shootout swung the trophy.
The culture and the charge ahead
Le Classique is never just a match. It is pride, history, and two cities that refuse to bow. This edition added a cup to that fire. PSG leave with silver and a steady heartbeat. Marseille leave with scars and fuel. Both teams now carry a clear message into the year.
PSG’s ceiling is high when the system stays calm and their stars stay brave. Dembélé set that tone with a touch of gold. OM showed they can stand in the storm and throw back. The league will feel this. The calendar is long, but nights like this echo.
The first trophy of France’s year belongs to Paris. They earned it from twelve yards, after ninety minutes of strain and a flash of genius. The rivalry is lit again. The season just got its spark.
