The 2021 edition of the Trophée des Champions, the French Super Cup, took place in Bloomfield Stadium in Tel Aviv on Sunday night.
A phrase that might sound like a part of a science fiction movie is a living reality. The champions of France, Lille, and the French Cup winners, Paris Saint Germain, played the first game of the 2021/22 French season in
The big stars such as Neymar, Kylian M’bappe, Sergio Ramos and others in the Paris Saint Germain squad did not make the trip. Yet, Presnel Kimpemebe, Mauro Icardi and the new addition to the team: Moroccan star, Achraf Hakimi. Lille arrived with their strongest squad, including Burak Yilmaz and Jonathan David.
First half
The match started with a good pace on both sides, with Lille trying their luck from outside the box via Canadian forward Jonathan David.
The main event in the first half was pretty match related to Achraf Hakimi. The Moroccan star, who joined PSG recently from Inter, was heavily booed every time he got the ball. Hakimi has shown support to the Palestinians during the last escalation between Israel and Palestine, and thousands of fans were booing him with every touch.
Was booed by the Israeli crowd with every touch, due to his support to the Palestinians in recent events. Achraf Hakimi in his PSG debut. (Nicole Liberman/BabaGol)
Now: 🇲🇦 Achraf Hakimi is heavily booed by the local crowd in Tel Aviv at the #TropheesDesChampions between PSG and Lille.
— Uri Levy (@Levyninho) August 1, 2021
🇫🇷 #TropheesDesChampions: 0-0
— BabaGol (@BabaGol_) August 1, 2021
⏰ 30: Achraf Hakimi 🇲🇦 the main event of the first half so far, getting chants and booed by local fans at the Bloomfield Stadium.
Hakimi supported Palestine public ally during recent events.
📸 @NickieLiberman pic.twitter.com/Ny7mswUdlv
But in the 45th minute, the magic finally happened. Lille’s Xeka sent a fantastic ball, from the tip of the box to the upper net. An ecstatic 1-0 to the Lilloises!
Second Half
The second half was much more aggressive by both teams with chances to each side. Paris got their options and scored through Mauro Icardi, but it was called off for a foul on Lille’s goalkeeper, Leonardo Jardim.
Paris has tried to find the equalizer near the final whistle, but it was too little too late.
Lille’s advantage was kept until the last moment. The club’s Argentinean coach Mauricio Pochettino is now with one title out of four competitions he tried to lure since he took charge of the French club.
Lille has won its first-ever Trophée des Champions, and the two teams will continue their race in the league.
