PSG secure consecutive Champions League title by beating Arsenal on penalties
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PSG secured the Champions League title for the second time after a penalty shootout.
The 2025-26 UEFA Champions League has had a thrilling conclusion as reigning champions PSG secured the title after a thrilling 4-3 victory on penalties. The game ended 1-1 after regular time. The Ligue 1 team became only the second club in the 21st century to successfully defend the title
Defending champions PSG started in a 4-3-3 formation, with no surprises in the lineup. Arsenal, on the other hand, started in a 4-2-3-1 formation. It had Mosquera in the right-back role and Hincapié, instead of Calafiori, being the only notable change.
Arsenal secured an early lead through Kai Havertz, becoming one of the players like Cristiano Ronaldo to score in consecutive Champions League finals. However, the side could not maintain the lead throughout the game. PSG made a comeback to the game through Ousmane Dembélé’s penalty in the second half.
This was the first time since 2018 that both sides scored in the competition’s final. Since the infamous 2015-16 final, it was the first Champions League final to go into extra time. Despite strong efforts from both sides, the game ultimately went to penalties, the first in the last 10 years in the competition.
Lacklustre First-Half
The 2025-26 UEFA Champions League witnessed a quick start, as Arsenal secured an early lead. PSG captain Marquinhos paved the way to the massive error after trying to deliver a forward pass, which struck Belgian Leandro Trossard. The ball then bounced straight into the path of Kai Havertz, who scored from a tight angle into the top of the net to give Arsenal the lead.
The German proved his big game prowess, scoring in a second Champions League final, after scoring the winner for Chelsea in 2021. After securing the lead, the English side dropped deep to protect the lead. This frustrated PSG, who, despite controlling possession for the entire half, failed to create any goal-scoring opportunities.
Havertz had a great chance to extend Arsenal’s lead right before extra time. His shot was beautifully intercepted by Marquinhos. This was the final action of the first half, characterised by a lack of proper attacking threat from both sides, with Arsenal creating just 0.34 xG compared to PSG’s 0.26 xG.
Arsenal recorded only 69 passes in the first half, the lowest by any side since the 2003-04 Champions League final.
PSG come back into the game
The second half started with PSG dominating the ball. However, the side failed to create a major attacking threat, with Arsenal’s defence remaining compact and maintaining their shape. Despite hard efforts, Arsenal’s defence was exposed in the 62nd minute, with Kvaratskhelia finding space on the left flank, forcing right-back Mosquera to commit a foul, resulting in a penalty for the Parisian side.
Frenchman Ousmane Dembélé converted the opportunity, driving a powerful shot, sending Raya the wrong way. The goal changed the momentum of the game, with Arsenal forced to move out of their defence. Both sides made substitutions, with attacks from both ends.
The biggest chance for PSG in the game came in the 78th minute, after Kvaratskhelia won a header and drove forward on the flanks, creating a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper. However, he delayed taking a shot. It gave ample time for midfielder Lewis-Skelly to be perfectly placed to deflect the ball into the box onto the near post.
Both teams strived for opportunities from one end to another, but were unable to create proper openings. PSG had another chance in the 85th minute, when Barcola drove forward after a corner clearance. Raya raced off his line to collect the ball well within the box.
Goal scorer Ousmane Dembélé was replaced during extra time after struggling with an injury. PSG had a massive chance at the end, with the side breaking in a counterattack. However, Barcola failed to convert it, with the youngster’s shot going well over the bar to conclude the regular time.
Wins in Penalties
Arsenal began the extra time with substitutions, with goal scorer Kai Havertz being replaced by Eze. Tensions broke out in the 102nd minute, when shouts for a penalty for a foul on Maudeke were raised. It was denied by the referee.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and the players were furious with the decision. The coach received a booking for his animated reaction. PSG began the second half with changes of their own, with Luis Enrique shifting towards a defensive approach, with defenders Beraldo and Zabarnyi coming on.
PSG had their big chance in the 107th minute, when goalkeeper David Raya punched out an opportunity from the grasp of Doué, to keep the scoreline levelled. Arsenal maintained their deep defensive position, with the side only recording a single shot since the 77th minute.
Arsenal started attacking in the final minutes of the game, with Madueke finding the side netting. Arsenal continued applying pressure, with the side finding a great opportunity through Gyokeres, whose shot was blocked for a corner. PSG’s defence ultimately prevailed, with the game going into penalties.
PSG initiated the penalty shootout, with striker Gonçalo Ramos converting comfortably. Gyokeres then converted the first kick of Arsenal, followed by Doué scoring for the Parisians. However, Eze failed to convert Arsenal’s second kick.
His shot went wide of the far post. PSG had the opportunity to take advantage; however, Nuno Mendes’ powerful drive was brilliantly stopped by David Raya.
Captains Declan Rice and Achraf Hakimi converted their respective spot kicks, followed by Martinelli scoring for PSG. Beraldo scored the final spot for his side, putting all the pressure on Arsenal. Gabriel could not prevail, sending his kick over the bar, winning PSG their second consecutive title.
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Basil Elias Benoy is a sports journalist with a deep passion for football, cricket, and kabaddi. A devoted supporter of Manchester United and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, he combines his academic background in Economics with hands-on experience in sports media. His work ranges from professional sports content creation for digital platforms to on-ground reporting for Indian Super League club Kerala Blasters.