The hero of the final with Flamengo broke his hand in the shootout » “Even he doesn't know how it happened!”

Paris St. Germain won the Intercontinental Cup on Wednesday in Qatar after a dramatic game with Flamengo. After 120 minutes it was 1-1 (Kvaratskhelia 38 – Jorginho 62 penalty), and Luis Enrique's team prevailed after the penalties (2-1), with Matvei Safonov saving four of the Brazilian team's five penalties.

The Russian goalkeeper, chosen by the Spanish coach to be the starter at the expense of Lucas Chevalier, stopped the shots of Saul Niguez, Pedro, Leo Pereira and Luis Araujowhile Vitinha and Nuno Mendes scored from the spot for the winners of the first Intercontinental Cup in the club's history (Dembele and Barcola missed).

Luis Enrique / Photo: Imago

However, PSG's medical report surprised everyone after the match in Doha. The Russian fractured his left hand and will be out for a month: “It's unbelievable. Even he doesn't know how he got hurt.” commented Luis Enrique

“He saved the last two penalties with a broken hand, but the adrenaline and emotion made him not feel the pain”

The Spanish technician said in a press conference: “I can't explain it. Neither can Safonov. He might have hit himself on the third penalty, with a strange hand movement. He probably saved Flamengo's last two penalties with a broken hand, but the adrenaline and excitement didn't make him feel the pain.”

But Lucho praised the Russian's performance: “Safonov showed that he is ready to help the team, regardless of the type of match. It is the right mentality that I want to see in the players who are here and those who will come.”

Lucas Chevalier / Photo: Imago

“Safonov's accident cancels any chance of a reversal of priorities in the goal of the Parisian team. Chevalier, who had not rushed to hug his teammate, like the others, after the last penalty saved against Flamengo, he will regain his place in the starting team”, writes the French press about the situation of the goalkeepers at PSG.

“Chevalier, brought in in the summer for 55 million euros, will have at least a month to dispel the criticism, if not Luis Enrique will think about giving Renato Marin (19 years) a chance as well”, explains L'Equipe.