Starting as it means to go on, PSG clinches Super Cup

Champions League winner Paris Saint-Germain rubber-stamped its status as Europe's top team by beating Aston Villa 2-1 in the UEFA Super Cup in Salzburg, Austria, on Wednesday.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue netted either side of a debut goal for Villa teenager Brian Madjo in Salzburg, as PSG defended the title it first won 12 months ago against another Premier League side, Tottenham Hotspur.

The man in the middle was the Somali official barred from entering the United States to participate in this summer's World Cup.

The game, which pits the winners of Europe's top club competition against the victorious side from the second-tier Europa League, was refereed by Omar Artan, barred from entering the US days before the start of the FIFA showpiece he was due to be officiating at because of vetting concerns.

US officials claimed the 34-year-old referee had connections to terror organizations, though did not provide any proof.

UEFA responded by picking Artan — a referee judged the best in Africa last season — to take charge of the Super Cup in a power play by European soccer's governing body, amid its increasingly turbulent relationship with FIFA.

That schism has further widened, with UEFA leading the campaign to oust Gianni Infantino from the FIFA presidency over his recent aborted plan to sell a commercial stake in future World Cups.

Artan was the first non-European referee to take charge of the Super Cup.

Ahead of the start of their respective domestic seasons, both named relatively strong sides.

PSG's starting lineup featured nine players that lifted the Champions League trophy against Arsenal in May, including Vitinha, Joao Neves and captain Marquinhos.

French left-back Lucas Digne, who on Sunday signed for the Parisian outfit, was on the bench against his former team.

Villa rested World Cup campaigners Ezri Konsa, Emiliano Martinez and Ollie Watkins, but Unai Emery handed debuts to midfielder Joao Gomes and striker Madjo.

Midfielder Boubacar Kamara also started for the first time since suffering a serious knee injury in January.

Kvaratskhelia show

Kamara came closest to breaking the deadlock with a low effort from distance in the 13th minute, which PSG stopper Matvey Safonov watched sail by his post.

That served to wake PSG up as Villa keeper Marco Bizot parried away an effort at goal, only for the French side to recycle the ball to Kvaratskhelia on the left, who cut in on 20 minutes and scored with a pile driver at the near post.

The Georgian began to overwhelm the Villa defense, as, minutes later, he released left-back Nuno Mendes, whose cut-back somehow evaded his onrushing teammates.

But Villa withstood the flurry and should have been level just prior to the half-hour mark, when Madjo glanced wide a John McGinn cross.

The 17-year-old saw another couple of good chances go by, as it seemed like Emery's charges would go into the break behind.

However, Madjo got his just reward as McGinn picked him out again in the box in the 45th minute, and he lashed the ball with his left boot into the roof of the PSG net.

Luis Enrique responded to the swing in fortunes by sending on Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele for new PSG recruit Maghnes Akliouche at halftime.

Villa kept up its head of steam after the interval, though, as Madjo and McGinn again combined to good effect, with the 31-year-old forcing Safonov to beat away a curling effort.

France international Doue raced down the right and bent one into the Villa net on 61 minutes, but was initially denied by the assistant's flag.

VAR intervened, however, and found that Villa right-back Matty Cash on the far side of the pitch was playing the PSG winger onside and awarded the goal, much to Doue's surprise and delight.

The Premier League side had a chance to strike back instantly through 19-year-old George Hemmings, but Safonov stood strong to keep the score at 2-1.

PSG midfielder Warren Zaire-Emery then had to fling himself in front of a Gomes effort.

Enrique sent on World Cup winner Fabian Ruiz with a quarter of an hour remaining to help PSG shore up the center of the park, as Villa hunted for a leveler.

Its best chance came inside the final 10 minutes, as Tammy Abraham was just unable to reach Alysson's cut-back inside the six-yard box.

The Qatar-backed Ligue 1 champion managed to hold on to make a winning start to its new season, which it hopes will end with a third consecutive Champions League crown.

Madjo causes havoc

Despite the defeat, it was quite the debut by the powerfully built teenager Madjo, who was born in north London, has played three friendly matches for Luxembourg, but has now decided to represent England.

Madjo joined Villa from French club Metz in January, but FIFA blocked his club registration because its transfer rules limit international moves by players under the age of 18.

Villa appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport and the appeal was upheld last week, allowing Madjo to make his club debut and become the youngest player to feature in a Super Cup.

He caused havoc at times for PSG's elite center-half duo of Willian Pacho and Marquinhos, and could have scored two or three goals before finally getting on the scoresheet by meeting McGinn's cross on the stroke of halftime to volley into the PSG net.

Moments earlier, Madjo had bundled past Pacho and hit the post with a shot.

It was a fourth straight loss in the Super Cup for Villa manager Unai Emery, whose other losses came with Sevilla (twice) and Villarreal.

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