*This content was translated by AI.
Defending champion Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) defeated Arsenal in a fierce battle that went to a penalty shootout, achieving the unprecedented feat of winning back-to-back Champions League titles, a first in French football history. Meanwhile, Arsenal failed to erase the pain of their runner-up finish 20 years ago and once again fell short at the threshold of their first-ever major trophy.
On the 31st at 1 a.m. (Korean time), PSG defeated Arsenal 1-1 (PSO 4-3) in the 2025-2026 UEFA Champions League (UCL) final held at Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary.
By defeating Arsenal, PSG achieved their second all-time major trophy and the first back-to-back Champions League title in club history. Manager Luis Enrique joined Carlo Ancelotti, Pep Guardiola, Bob Paisley, and Zinedine Zidane as only the fifth manager in history to lift the Champions League trophy three or more times. The Premier League champion Arsenal bowed out just short of a double.
PSG lined up with a three-forward formation featuring Desire Doué, Ousmane Dembélé, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. The midfield consisted of João Neves, Vitinha, and Fabián Ruiz, while the defensive back four was composed of Nuno Mendes, Willian Pacho, Marquinhos, and Achraf Hakimi. Goalkeeper Matvey Safonov guarded the net. Lee Kang-in was excluded from the starting lineup and began the match on the bench.
In response, Arsenal deployed Kai Havertz as the lone striker up front. Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard, and Leandro Trossard were positioned in the second line. The midfield pairing of Myles Lewis-Skelly and Declan Rice worked in tandem, while the defense was anchored by Piero Incaupi, Gabriel Magalhães, William Saliba, and Christian Mosquera. David Raya wore the goalkeeper's gloves.
Arsenal seized the initiative early. Their opening goal came just six minutes into the first half. A deflected ball near the half-line found its way to Havertz, who exploited the left flank with a powerful left-footed shot that precisely struck the upper corner of PSG's goal.
Having taken an early lead, Arsenal adopted a purely defensive strategy, showing no signs of urgency. In contrast, PSG, desperate for an equalizer, significantly increased their ball possession and pressed Arsenal relentlessly. However, Arsenal's tenacious physical defense repeatedly repelled PSG's onslaught. Even when PSG's attackers entered the penalty box, Arsenal's defenders, including Magalhães and Saliba, who formed an impenetrable wall, threw their bodies to block every attempt.
Ultimately, the first half ended with Arsenal leading 1-0. Despite dominating possession with an overwhelming 77% in the first half, PSG failed to breach Arsenal's thick defensive wall. According to statistics specialist 'FootMob', PSG's expected goals (xG) for the first half were a mere 0.26, indicating a lack of real danger. While PSG attempted 306 passes throughout the first half, constantly seeking opportunities, Arsenal, who dropped deep after taking the lead, managed only 69 passes.
At the start of the second half, both teams maintained their original lineups without making any substitutions. In the 10th minute of the second half, Hakimi attempted a bold right-footed free-kick from a distance, but the shot went straight into goalkeeper Raya's arms.
A turning point occurred in the frustrating flow. In the 17th minute of the second half, Kvaratskhelia attempted a dribble inside the penalty box but was tripped by Mosquera's tackle, and the referee immediately awarded a penalty kick without hesitation. Even after video assistant referee (VAR) review, the decision was not overturned. In the 20th minute, Dembélé, taking the kick, perfectly deceived Raya by directing a right-footed shot to the left side of the net, leveling the score at 1-1.
Arsenal, having conceded the first goal, made a bold move. Just after the goal, in the 21st minute of the second half, they substituted Mosquera and Ødegaard for Willian Tjber and Victor Yekkes.
Even after the equalizer, PSG continued their attack-focused momentum. Arsenal increased the frequency of long balls from the back, targeting Yekkes or Havertz deployed up front, in an attempt to launch counterattacks.
Both teams utilized their bench resources more heavily in the latter stages of the second half. In the 38th minute, Arsenal brought on Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli for Saka and Trossard to inject energy into the flanks. PSG responded by substituting Bradley Barcola for Kvaratskhelia.
In the 45th minute of the second half, PSG seized a decisive chance to take the lead. Doué delivered a precise pass, which Vitinha connected with a right-footed shot, but the ball narrowly missed the crossbar. Six minutes of stoppage time were added.
During stoppage time, PSG encountered a variable. In the 5th minute of stoppage time, Dembélé complained of leg pain and signaled for a substitution, prompting Gonçalo Ramos to quickly enter the pitch. Just before the final whistle, Barcola attempted a dramatic counterattack shot, but it narrowly missed to the left of the goalpost. The match ultimately ended in regular time with a 1-1 draw.
As extra time began, Arsenal simultaneously introduced Martin Zubimendi and Eberechi Eze, replacing Havertz and Lewis-Skelly. PSG substituted Ruiz for Warren Zaïre-Emery in the 5th minute of the first half of extra time to strengthen their midfield. In the 8th minute of the first half of extra time, the pitch became excessively hot. Madueke of Arsenal charged toward the goal but fell; however, the referee judged that Mendes had been pushed over during a normal challenge and did not call a foul. Rice, who strongly protested the decision, received a yellow card, and even Mikel Arteta, the manager shouting from the bench, was warned.
PSG immediately reorganized their defense at the start of the second half of extra time by substituting Marquinhos and Vitinha for Ilya Zabarnyi and Luca Beraldo. Ultimately, Lee Kang-in's substitution card never appeared, and his attempt to appear in the Champions League final for the second consecutive season unfortunately failed. The battle continued for 30 minutes of extra time, but no goals were scored.
Both teams' goalkeepers stood in front of the goal after finalizing data on opposing kickers using pads and other equipment before the start.
PSG's first kicker, Ramos, calmly converted the penalty, and Arsenal's first kicker, Yekkes, also found the net, starting the shootout at 1-1. The second kickers also experienced mixed fortunes. PSG's Doué succeeded, while goalkeeper Raya completely missed the target twice in a row. Subsequently, Arsenal's second kicker, Eze, aimed left but committed a fatal error by shooting completely wide of the goalpost.
The goalkeeper who saved the crisis for Arsenal was Raya, who played through injury. Raya made a fantastic diving save to deny PSG's third kicker, Mendes, from a sharp left-footed shot, redeeming the earlier miss. Then, Arsenal's Rice successfully converted his kick, restoring the penalty shootout score to 2-2. PSG's fourth kicker, Hakimi, and Arsenal's fourth kicker, Martinelli, both scored, maintaining a tight 3-3 tie.
The fate was cruelly decided at the final fifth kicker. Beraldo, PSG's fifth kicker, struck the ball precisely into the far right corner. In contrast, Magalhães, Arsenal's fifth kicker who had to score, unleashed a powerful shot that soared over the crossbar into the air.
Ultimately, PSG defeated Arsenal 4-3 in the penalty shootout, achieving their second all-time major trophy and the first back-to-back Champions League title in club history. Manager Arteta bowed his head just short of a double.
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*This content was translated by AI.
