Paris Saint-Germain player Fabian Ruiz celebrates after winning the Champions League final (AP Photo/Armin Durgut)
Paris Saint-Germain achieved its historic second successive Champions League title after defeating Arsenal 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra time in Budapest on Saturday. Ebereche Eze and Gabriel Magalhaes missed from the spot as Mikel Arteta’s side once again suffered heartbreak, 20 years after their first defeat in the final of the competition to Barcelona. Arsenal showed tremendous character to continue the game into extra time, but in the end they were unable to complete their long-awaited European dream. For Paris Saint-Germain, it was another defining night in their modern era, as they became only the second team in the Champions League era after Real Madrid to win back-to-back titles. Luis Enrique’s influence was once again pivotal to Paris Saint-Germain’s success. The Spanish coach reshaped the team into a balanced, high-intensity and unified unit, moving away from individual dependence and building a team capable of overcoming competitors with speed, structure and aggression.
The win also marked his third Champions League title, following his previous win with Barcelona in 2015, placing him among the most decorated managers in European football. The final got off to the perfect start for Arsenal. Kai Havertz took advantage of a defensive lapse to go ahead and finish past Matvei Safonov after just six minutes, silencing the Paris Saint-Germain fans inside the Puskas Stadium.
However, PSG gradually asserted their dominance through consistent possession and territorial dominance, forcing Arsenal deeper as the first half progressed. Arsenal’s defensive structure held up for long periods, with Gabriel Magalhaes making a decisive intervention to deny Khvicha Kvaratskhilia, while David Raya also stood tall when called upon. PSG’s pressure eventually showed in the second half when Ousmane Dembélé scored from the penalty spot to equalize for the champions and shift the momentum firmly in their favour. Extra time brought more tension than clear-cut opportunities, as both teams struggled to break the deadlock despite some chances. As fatigue set in, PSG looked a bit more threatening, but Arsenal’s resilience ensured the game went to penalties. The penalty shootout saw PSG once again show their composure in crucial moments, continuing their strong record from the spot in recent seasons. But Arsenal collapsed under pressure in the decisive phase. Eze mis-set the tone and Gabriel’s decisive penalty over the bar ensured victory for PSG, sparking celebrations as they confirmed their place among Europe’s modern elite by winning a second successive Champions League title.