PSG vs. Aston Villa: A Suspiciously Awarded Goal by Désiré Doué in the European Super Cup Final

In the European Super Cup final, Désiré Doué scored a goal that is likely to cause a stir across the Channel against Aston Villa. The former Rennes player netted a strike that was decided by mere centimeters.

It was a very strange sequence. With Paris and Aston Villa tied in the European Super Cup final, Désiré Doué once again decided to tip the balance of a major European clash by scoring the go-ahead goal for 2-1. However, this time, the play was far from straightforward.

It was the 60th minute of play. After a foul won by Warren Zaïre-Emery, João Neves quickly played the ball to Achraf Hakimi on the right. The Moroccan held the ball to find Ousmane Dembélé, who had dropped back to collect it. The PSG star looked up and launched Désiré Doué forward. At first glance, the former Stade Rennais player, who appeared to be offside, outpaced the entire defense. The defenders raised their arms to signal the illegal position of the Parisian, before Doué finished with a left-footed curler past Bizot, who was deputizing for Dibu Martínez. The 21-year-old prodigy himself, convinced he was offside, didn't even celebrate, as the linesman raised his flag.

Everyone involved, and even the stadium, was convinced it was an offside position. But after a prolonged period of uncertainty, the Somali referee Omar Artan waited for VAR confirmation, which ultimately awarded the goal!

Indeed, on the play, Polish right-back Matty Cash was completely out of position and extended his leg. According to UEFA's tracking system, Désiré Doué was therefore onside by a matter of millimeters! Despite a lengthy protest from McGinn, the goal was deemed valid and awarded. A delayed celebration ensued, which reignited Paris's charge... Yet, no one seemed to believe it, not even an astonished Luis Enrique or the PSG bench. One thing is certain: Désiré Doué was right to follow through with his run.