Paris Saint-Germain retained their Champions League title with a penalty shootout win over Arsenal following a 1-1 draw in Budapest on Saturday.
Kai Havertz gave Arsenal the lead after just six minutes, firing into the roof of the net after Marquinhos’ deflection was charged down by Leandro Trossard, putting the German through on goal.
However, PSG got a much firmer grip on the game after half-time and were level by the 65th minute via an Ousmane Dembele penalty, which was awarded after Cristhian Mosquera brought down Khvicha Kvaratskhelia inside the box.
Both sides pushed to take control from there, but ultimately, neither could carve out a chance worthy of winning such a massive occasion, with a penalty shootout following a tense extra-time period.
It was the French champions who won the shootout lottery 4-3, with Eberechi Eze and Gabriel missing for Arsenal, rendering David Raya’s save of Nuno Mendes’ effort a mere footnote.
Kai Havertz joins exclusive Champions League final group
It seems such a long time ago since Kai Havertz put Arsenal ahead early in this final, but what a moment it was.
Including the Germany international in the starting line-up ahead of Viktor Gyokeres was one of Mikel Arteta’s biggest pre-match calls, but it paid off immediately.
Havertz scored what was just his seventh goal of an injury-hit season in supreme style, thundering the ball into the roof of the net from an acute angle and giving Matvey Safonov no chance after being put through on goal in fortunate fashion.
In doing so, Havertz became the first-ever player to score for two different English sides in a European Cup/Champions League final, having bagged the winner for Chelsea against Manchester City back in 2021. The 26-year-old also joined Cristiano Ronaldo, Mario Mandzukic and Velibor Vasovic in an extremely exclusive group of players to have scored for two different sides in a European Cup/Champions League final.
That was just Arsenal’s second-ever Champions League final goal, and unfortunately, the outcome was the same as when Sol Campbell put the Gunners ahead against Barcelona way back in 2006.
Nevertheless, it was a moment Havertz will never forget, even if it will be tainted with regret.
PSG retain Champions League through sheer consistency
While Arteta took the headlines with his bold selection calls, Luis Enrique’s line-up stood out for the fact that all 10 outfield players were in the starting line-up for last year’s Champions League final. If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it.
The Parisians faced a very different challenge against Arsenal than they did against Inter last year. In 2025, PSG rolled over the Italian giants with ease. This time around, the Premier League winners were a tough nut to crack. But crack they did.
Ousmane Dembele wasn’t at his best, but scored the vital spot-kick that brought PSG level. Kvaratskhelia looked tired, but won that penalty. Desire Doue struggled to find his shooting boots, but made up for it with a match-high four chances created.
Even on an off night, PSG kept Arsenal at bay and dragged them into a spot-kick scenario they evidently were less equipped to handle.
It’s incredible to think that Real Madrid were the only side to retain this trophy since Milan as the 1980s turned into the 90s. However, PSG have now become the second team to do so in the Champions League era, cementing themselves as one of the greatest sides in the competition’s history through sheer consistency.