PSG repeats as champions! Paris Saint-Germain need a penalty shootout in Budapest’s Puskás Aréna to win the Champions League after the game ended 1-1 after 120 minutes.
PSG becomes only the second team to win consecutive competitions since it was reformatted and rebranded in the early 1990s. The win cements the club as one of the greatest in European soccer history.
Ousmane Dembélé absolutely nailed a penalty after Khvicha Kvaratskhelia drew a penalty in the 62nd minute, bringing the champions level. Kai Havertz had buried the first shot of the game into PSG’s net, giving Arsenal a 1-0 lead in the sixth minute of the game.
The defending French champions became just the second club since 1990 to retain the trophy after a grueling finale that required sudden-death spot-kicks to separate the two sides.
The match exploded into life in the sixth minute when Leandro Trossard picked out Kai Havertz, who clinical poked the ball home to give Arsenal an early lead.
The early goal shifted the tactical battle, prompting strong first-half penalty appeals from the Parisian side when the ball appeared to strike Bukayo Saka's hand, though both the referee and VAR dismissed the claims.
The French giants eventually found their breakthrough in the 64th minute following a rash challenge in the box by Arsenal defender Cristhian Mosquera.
Ousmane Dembele stepped up and confidently sent Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya the wrong way from the penalty spot to level the scores.
Despite waves of dominant possession from Paris Saint-Germain through the remainder of regular time and extra time, a resolute Arsenal defense held firm to force the match into a penalty shootout.
The ensuing shootout delivered immense heartbreak for the English side. While Goncalo Ramos, Desire Doue, and Achraf Hakimi successfully converted for Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal suffered an early setback when Eberechi Eze pushed his effort wide after a stuttered run-up.
David Raya briefly kept the Gunners' dreams alive by saving a low attempt from Nuno Mendes, allowing Viktor Gyokeres, Declan Rice, and Gabriel Martinelli to draw Arsenal level into sudden death.
The definitive moment arrived on the tenth penalty of the evening. PSG's Lucas Beraldo coolly dispatched his spot-kick past Raya to put the pressure back on the London club.
Stepping up for the final crucial kick, Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes failed to convert, sealing the victory for Paris Saint-Germain and confirming their status as back-to-back kings of Europe.