Arsenal surrender first-half control as PSG fight back to win 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw
Image: Britannica
BUDAPEST — Paris Saint-Germain became the first club to retain the Champions League since Real Madrid’s three-year reign ending in 2018, beating Arsenal 4-3 on penalties after a gripping final ended 1-1 at the Puskas Arena.
Arsenal looked on course for a historic double — eleven days after winning their first Premier League title in 22 years — when Kai Havertz fired home in the sixth minute. For an hour, they smothered PSG’s attack and controlled the tempo with discipline.
The turning point came in the 65th minute when Ousmane Dembele converted a penalty to equalise, and the match quickly turned frantic. PSG grew stronger as Arsenal tired, with Kvaratskhelia repeatedly threatening before the game was eventually settled by a shootout.
In the shootout, Eberechi Eze missed first, before goalkeeper David Raya saved Nuno Mendes’ attempt to keep Arsenal alive. But defender Gabriel blazed his crucial kick over the bar, handing PSG the trophy.
“The final was a real battle,” said manager Luis Enrique, who has now won 12 of 13 one-off finals as a coach. Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice called the defeat gutting but took pride in an unbeaten European campaign that ended only at the final hurdle.
Long considered glamorous underachievers, PSG have now firmly established themselves as the dominant force in European football.
