Paris Saint-Germain successfully defended their UEFA Champions League crown after defeating Arsenal 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in the final at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest on Saturday.
The victory made PSG the first French club to win Europe’s premier club competition twice and only the second European side in recent years to retain the trophy, underlining the dominance of Luis Enrique’s team.
Arsenal struck first through Kai Havertz, who capitalised on a defensive lapse to fire the Gunners into an early lead. The Premier League champions looked set to take that advantage into halftime, but PSG gradually took control of possession and began to apply pressure.
The French champions found their equaliser in the second half when Ousmane Dembélé converted from the penalty spot after Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was brought down inside the area. Both sides created chances to find a winner, with Kvaratskhelia striking the post and substitute Gonçalo Ramos going close late in regulation time.
Extra time failed to separate the teams, sending the Champions League final to a penalty shootout for the first time since 2016.
PSG held their nerve from the spot, converting four of their five attempts. Arsenal’s Eberechi Eze and Gabriel missed crucial penalties, while Nuno Mendes was the only PSG player denied by David Raya. Gabriel’s miss ultimately sealed the result, allowing PSG to celebrate a second consecutive European crown.
The triumph capped another remarkable campaign for Luis Enrique’s side, who had already secured a fifth successive Ligue 1 title. PSG finished the Champions League season with 45 goals, matching one of the highest-scoring campaigns in the competition’s history.
Mass celebrations turn chaotic in France
Celebrations erupted across France following the victory, particularly in Paris, where thousands of supporters gathered on the Champs-Élysées and around major landmarks.
However, the festivities were marred by disorder, with French authorities reporting more than 400 arrests during the night. According to local media, one police officer was injured, a kiosk near the Champs-Élysées was set on fire and several vehicles were damaged before the situation was brought under control.
French authorities deployed around 22,000 police officers to maintain order, while nearly 100,000 supporters are expected to attend a victory parade near the Eiffel Tower on Sunday.
The latest success also brought PSG’s overall trophy tally to 60 titles, including 42 won since Qatar Sports Investments took over the club in 2011. Luis Enrique, meanwhile, further strengthened his legacy as the most successful manager in the club’s history with a 12th trophy at the helm.