Kylian Mbappe scored a wonderful goal and Lee Kang-in was also on the scoresheet as Paris Saint-Germain beat Toulouse 2-0 to win the Trophee des Champions.
PSG needed less than three minutes to opening the scoring at the Parc des Princes and did so in style, with Lee stabbing home Ousmane Dembele’s volleyed cross at the end of a flowing team move.
Toulouse struggled to get out of their own half, but when they did carried a threat and hit the post through Thijs Dallinga, reminding PSG of a small sense of jeopardy in the game.
That was until Mbappe effectively decided proceedings just before the break; picking up the ball 25 yards from goal, he left three defenders in his wake, held off another and fired expertly past the goalkeeper.
Toulouse were the better team in the second half but were unable to turn that into a goal, with PSG content to try and manage the game and almost scoring a third when Achraf Hakimi struck the post from a long-range free kick. It is PSG’s record 12th Trophee des Champions victory, and they will hope the first of many trophies the team win this season.
The Parisians are five points clear atop Ligue 1, will play Real Sociedad in the UEFA Champions League last 16, and start their Coupe de France campaign against sixth-tier Revel on Sunday.
TALKING POINT – LUIS ENRIQUE WINS FIRST PSG TROPHY
PSG managers are largely judged on their UEFA Champions League performance, with domestic trophies a must. Well here’s a first for the new manager, whose team have not always been impressive this season.
Beyond just lifting the Trophee des Champions, PSG’s display was one of their best of the season and their new signings – particularly Lee and Dembele – shone in a brilliant attacking display, indicating a bright future ahead.
So too did the brief debut of 20-year-old Lucas Beraldo, who looked at home in the centre of defence. He won’t get much credit for it, but this was a landmark night for Luis Enrique and his PSG makeover.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH – KYLIAN MBAPPE (PSG)
When PSG were struggling to find that all-important second goal, Mbappe struck in style. Away from the goal, his link-up play was also good, and Mbappe’s presence helped create space for Lee, Dembele and others.