The 2026 Trophée des Champions delivered all the drama and spectacle French football fans could hope for, as Paris Saint-Germain and Marseille clashed in Kuwait City’s Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium on Thursday, January 8, 2026. In front of a crowd that nearly filled the 60,000-seat venue—only 5,000 tickets remained before kick-off, according to RMC Sport—two of France’s fiercest rivals battled for the first major silverware of the year. For PSG, it was a chance to extend their iron grip on the French Super Cup, while Marseille eyed a first triumph in the competition since 2011.
The anticipation surrounding this edition of Le Classique was palpable. PSG, led by Luis Enrique, entered the match on a red-hot streak, unbeaten in their last six fixtures across all competitions and sitting second in Ligue 1, just a point adrift of leaders Lens. Marseille, under Roberto De Zerbi, had endured a more turbulent campaign, recently suffering a 2-0 defeat to Nantes but still holding third in the league. Both teams had plenty to prove, with pride, bragging rights, and early-season momentum hanging in the balance.
The lineups reflected the stakes and the challenges faced by both sides. PSG’s starting XI featured Chevalier in goal, a backline of Zaïre-Emery, Marquinhos (captain), Pacho, and Mendes, with Neves, Vitinha, and Ruiz anchoring the midfield. Up front, Désiré Doué and Ousmane Dembélé were joined by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, edging out Bradley Barcola and Senny Mayulu for the final forward spot. The Parisians were missing several key players: Achraf Hakimi and Ibrahim Mbaye were away at the Africa Cup of Nations, while Matvey Safonov, Lee Kang-in, Quentin Ndjantou, and David Boly were sidelined by injury.
Marseille, meanwhile, lined up with Rulli in goal, a defensive trio of Pavard, Balerdi (captain), and Medina, and a midfield of Weah, Hojbjerg, Kondogbia, and Emerson. Their front three consisted of Greenwood, Gouiri, and Paixão. The visitors were without Nayef Aguerd, also on AFCON duty, and midfielders Arthur Vermeeren and Bilal Nadir, both suspended. Despite these absences, De Zerbi fielded a side capable of causing an upset.
From the opening whistle, PSG looked to assert their dominance, and it didn’t take long for them to make a mark. Ousmane Dembélé, who had been the hero in last season’s final against Monaco, opened the scoring early, giving the Champions League holders an initial edge. The Parisians seemed poised to cruise to another trophy, but Marseille had other ideas. As the match wore on, the intensity ratcheted up, and the drama unfolded in spectacular fashion.
Late in the second half, Marseille stunned the PSG faithful. Mason Greenwood coolly converted a penalty to level the scores, and moments later, a slice of misfortune struck for PSG as Willian Pacho inadvertently turned the ball into his own net, handing Marseille a shock lead. The stadium buzzed with the possibility of a major upset—could Marseille finally break their Super Cup drought?
But PSG refused to go quietly. With seconds remaining on the clock, Goncalo Ramos emerged as the savior, slotting home a dramatic equalizer to force the contest into penalties. The tension was palpable; fans from both sides held their breath as the teams prepared for the shootout.
In the penalty decider, PSG showed their championship mettle. Ramos, Vitinha, Nuno Mendes, and Désiré Doué all converted their spot-kicks with clinical precision. The real hero, however, was goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier, who denied both Matt O’Riley and Hamed Traore from the spot. When the dust settled, PSG had triumphed 4-1 in the shootout, sealing their 14th Trophée des Champions title—and their 12th in the last 13 years.
“It was an unbelievable finish,” said a jubilant Luis Enrique after the match, according to post-game reports. “This team never gives up, no matter the circumstances.” PSG’s dominance in the competition is now the stuff of legend, with the club boasting 11 wins in their last 12 finals, including four in a row. Their only recent blemish came in 2021, when Lille snatched the trophy.
For Marseille, the defeat was gutting but not without positives. De Zerbi’s men pushed PSG to the brink and showed the kind of resilience that could serve them well in the league campaign ahead. Marseille hadn’t lifted the Super Cup since 2011, and while their wait continues, the performance in Kuwait demonstrated they can match the best on their day. “We showed spirit and quality, but small details made the difference,” De Zerbi reflected in his post-match comments.
The match also highlighted the global reach of French football. Fans from around the world tuned in via beIN SPORTS in the US, Fanatiz in Canada, and Ligue 1+ in the UK, with VPN options making the action accessible virtually anywhere. The choice of Kuwait as the venue underscored the league’s ambition to take marquee fixtures to new audiences, and the near-capacity crowd responded with enthusiasm.
Looking back, the 2026 Trophée des Champions will be remembered for its late twists, high stakes, and the sheer quality on display. PSG’s depth, even with key absences, once again proved decisive. Dembélé’s early strike, Ramos’s clutch equalizer, and Chevalier’s heroics in the shootout all contributed to a classic. Marseille, for their part, left everything on the pitch and will take heart from pushing their rivals to the very edge.
As the confetti settled in Kuwait City, PSG’s players celebrated yet another addition to their overflowing trophy cabinet. For Marseille, the focus shifts back to domestic matters, but their performance here will give them belief for battles to come. Le Classique had once again delivered a spectacle worthy of its storied history, and French football fans everywhere will be counting down the days until the next chapter.
