Twelve months after their emphatic 5-0 demolition of Inter Milan in Munich, Paris faced an entirely different challenge in Hungary. Arsenal, organized and disciplined under Mikel Arteta, took an early lead through Kai Havertz, who became the first player to score in a Champions League final for two different clubs—previously finding the net for Chelsea in 2021.

Arsenal’s disciplined start stifles PSG’s attack

Arsenal’s game plan was executed to perfection in the opening stages, with their high pressing and physical aggression neutralizing Paris’s attacking trio of Warren Zaïre-Emery, Ousmane Dembélé, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Despite registering six shots before halftime, the Parisians struggled to create clear chances against a resolute David Raya in goal.

Paris fights back after the break

The second half saw a different PSG, with Kvaratskhelia finally finding space before being brought down in the box by Cristhian Mosquera. Ousmane Dembélé, awarded the 2025 Ballon d’Or, coolly converted the resulting penalty to level the score. The momentum swung firmly in Paris’s favor, though missed opportunities by Bradley Barcola and João Neves kept the tension alive until the final whistle.

Shootout mastery secures PSG’s place in legend

With the match heading for extra time, fatigue set in on both sides. Arsenal saw Eberechi Eze and Gabriel miss the target in the shootout, while Paris converted all four of their attempts to claim a historic 4-3 victory. This marked the club’s sixth consecutive penalty shootout win, a record that underscores their mental resilience in high-pressure moments.

The victory solidifies PSG’s status as a modern European powerhouse and cements their place among the elite clubs who have achieved the back-to-back feat. Only eight other teams have managed this in Champions League history, including giants like Real Madrid, AC Milan, and Liverpool.

Controversial decisions fuel debate

The match was not without controversy. Referee Daniel Siebert faced scrutiny for allowing Arsenal’s early goal despite Bukayo Saka’s handball in the box and for failing to award a penalty to Arsenal when Noni Madueke went down in the area during extra time. These decisions added to the frustration of both sets of fans and intensified discussions about officiating standards in high-stakes finals.