Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) have won back-to-back UEFA Champions League titles after edging out Arsenal in a penalty shootout.
The final, played in Budapest, presented Arsenal with an opportunity to win their maiden European title following an impressive run of results throughout the competition. However, things did not go according to the expectations of the enthusiastic fans, just a week after winning the EPL title, when Brazilian defender Gabriel Magalhães blasted the decisive penalty over the bar, gifting the 2024/25 European champions another Champions League title under the tutelage of Spaniard Luis Enrique.
Arsenal were the first to find the back of the net courtesy of German forward Kai Havertz in the sixth minute of the game. However, the French club dominated much of the match from the first whistle to the final minute. PSG continued to apply pressure through the wings until Arsenal defender Mosquera brought down PSG winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in the box, earning the European champions a penalty in the 65th minute. Ousmane Dembélé made no mistake, calmly slotting home the equaliser from the spot.
The match went into extra time, with both teams remaining resolute in defence throughout the 120 minutes and added injury time.
The winner was eventually decided by a penalty shootout after Arsenal’s Eberechi Eze and PSG’s Nuno Mendes both missed their spot kicks. However, it was Gabriel Magalhães’ final penalty that would determine whether Arsenal still had hopes of winning their maiden European title or PSG would claim the trophy for a second consecutive season. The latter proved to be the case.
