Lee Kang-in scores in 3 minutes to lead PSG to Trophee des Champions victory

It took just three minutes for Lee Kang-in’s decision to delay his departure from Paris and play in the Trophee des Champions on Wednesday to pay off, with the 22-year-old firing in an early goal to lead PSG to their first trophy of 2024

Paris Saint-Germain players celebrate with the trophy after winning the Trophee des Champions at the Parc des Princes in Paris on Wednesday. [AFP/YONHAP]

It took just three minutes for Lee Kang-in’s decision to delay his departure from Paris and play in the Trophee des Champions on Wednesday to pay off, with the 22-year-old firing in an early goal to lead Paris Saint-Germain to their first trophy of 2024.

Lee, who had reportedly requested special permission from the KFA to delay joining the Korean national team in the United Arab Emirates this week, took a single touch to turn Ousmane Dembélé pass across the box into a goal in the third minute.

That effort — which also earned Lee man of the match — knocked Toulouse on the back foot before many fans had found their seats at Parc des Princes in Paris. Kylian Mbappe added one more at the end of the first half for a bit of security, locking in a 2-0 win at home for PSG.

The Trophee des Champions is the French super cup, played between the reigning Ligue 1 winners — in this case PSG — and Coupe de France holders — currently Toulouse. It is the French equivalent of England’s Community Shield or the now-defunct Korean Super Cup.

PSG's Lee Kang-in, left, celebrates with teammate Kylian Mbappe after scoring during the French Trophee des Champions final against Toulouse at the Parc des Princes in Paris on Wednesday. [AP/YONHAP]

Wednesday’s win marks Lee’s first silverware with PSG following his move to Paris in July last year. The club is currently also five points clear at the top of Ligue 1 and remains in the race in the Coupe de France — where they will join the competition in the Round of 62 on Sunday — and the UEFA Champions League.

Lee will not be available for the Coupe de France game, as he is set to join the Korean national team in the UAE today ahead of a friendly against Iraq on Saturday. The team will then move to Qatar for the Asian Cup next week.

BY JIM BULLEY [jim.bulley@joongang.co.kr]