Ousmane Dembélé’s penalty cancels out Kai Havertz’s early opener before Paris Saint-Germain prevail in a dramatic penalty shootout to win back-to-back UEFA Champions League titles.
Paris Saint-Germain FC are champions of Europe once again.
After a tense and dramatic final at Budapest’s Puskás Aréna, PSG defeated Arsenal FC 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra time, successfully defending the UEFA Champions League title they won a year earlier against Inter.
The final began perfectly for Arsenal. In a surprise tactical move, Mikel Arteta started Kai Havertz as the central striker ahead of Viktor Gyökeres, and the decision paid off almost immediately. Just six minutes into the match, Havertz capitalized on a loose ball following a challenge involving Marquinhos and Leandro Trossard before firing a sensational left-footed strike past Matvey Safonov from a tight angle.
The early goal disrupted PSG’s plans and left Luis Enrique’s side struggling to find rhythm. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia endured a quiet first half, while Arsenal’s defense, marshaled by Gabriel and William Saliba, largely kept the French champions under control.
The momentum shifted dramatically after halftime.
PSG spent much of the second half camped inside Arsenal territory and eventually found their breakthrough in the 65th minute. Defender Mosquera made a costly mistake by bringing down Kvaratskhelia inside the penalty area, leaving referee Daniel Siebert with little choice but to award a spot kick. Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé stepped up and calmly converted, sending David Raya the wrong way.
Once the equalizer arrived, PSG looked the more dangerous side. Kvaratskhelia suddenly came alive, producing a dazzling solo run that ended with a shot against the post, while Vitinha narrowly missed a late winner in regulation.
Extra time produced few clear opportunities. Arsenal felt they should have been awarded a penalty when Noni Madueke went down under pressure from Warren Zaïre-Emery, but Siebert waved away the appeals. At the other end, Raya made an important intervention to deny Gonçalo Ramos.
The title was ultimately decided from the penalty spot.
PSG converted four of their five attempts, while Arsenal suffered crucial misses from Eberechi Eze and Gabriel. Beraldo’s successful penalty left Gabriel needing to score to extend the shootout, but the Brazilian defender fired over the bar, sparking celebrations among the Paris players and supporters.
Luis Enrique’s side thus secured a second consecutive Champions League crown, while Unai Emery’s Aston Villa and Crystal Palace also ensured English clubs enjoyed a successful European season despite Arsenal’s heartbreak.
Match Report
PSG 1-1 Arsenal (PSG win 4-3 on penalties)
Scorers:
6’ Havertz (Arsenal)
65’ Dembélé (pen.) (PSG)
Penalty Shootout:
Gonçalo Ramos ✔️
Gyökeres ✔️
Doué ✔️
Eze ❌
Nuno Mendes ❌ (saved)
Rice ✔️
Hakimi ✔️
Martinelli ✔️
Beraldo ✔️
Gabriel ❌
PSG (4-3-3)
Safonov; Hakimi, Marquinhos (106’ Zabarnyi), Pacho, Nuno Mendes; João Neves, Vitinha (106’ Beraldo), Fabián Ruiz (95’ Zaïre-Emery); Doué, Dembélé (90+6’ Gonçalo Ramos), Kvaratskhelia (83’ Barcola).
Head Coach: Luis Enrique.
Arsenal (4-2-3-1)
Raya; Mosquera (66’ Timber), Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapié; Rice, Lewis-Skelly (91’ Zubimendi); Saka (83’ Madueke), Odegaard (66’ Gyökeres), Trossard (83’ Martinelli); Havertz (91’ Eze).
Head Coach: Mikel Arteta.
Referee: Daniel Siebert (Germany)
Yellow Cards: Mosquera, Saka, João Neves, Gyökeres, Rice, Arteta, Nuno Mendes
Red Cards: None
