Xeka's first-half thunderbolt has proved the difference as Lille secured the Trophee des Champions for the first time, in the process ending Paris St Germain's eight-year domination of the competition with a 1-0 victory in Tel Aviv.
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The Lille midfielder was teed up by Burak Yilmaz before blasting in from long range on the stroke of halftime on Sunday, with PSG then unable to make their possession count.
The story of the final could have been different, however, had Abdou Diallo taken the best second-half opportunity, failing to convert a headed effort from inside the six-yard area with just Leo Jardim to beat.
After dethroning the capital side as Ligue 1 champions last campaign, Jocelyn Gourvennec's side have now collected the first piece of silverware of France's domestic season, with the showpiece event taking place in Israel this year.
Yilmaz's drilled free-kick seemed destined to open the scoring inside 10 minutes, though Keylor Navas' fingertip save pushed the effort wide of his left-hand post.
PSG, hampered by big-name absentees, including Kylian Mbappe and Neymar, dictated proceedings for the remainder of the first half, yet only Julian Draxler tested Jardim as he fizzed from range to force the goalkeeper into a smart save.
Yilmaz worked Navas once more on the counter, but it was Xeka who broke the deadlock as he powered in a right-footed effort from just outside the area.
Australian Associated Press
