'First in club history' PSG wins back-to-back Champions League titles, defeating Arsenal in a penalty shootout... 'Lee Kang-in fails to appear'

*This content was translated by AI.

Defending champion Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) subdued Arsenal in a fierce battle that went to a penalty shootout, achieving the unprecedented feat of winning the Champions League for two consecutive years — a first in French football history. Meanwhile, Arsenal failed to erase the pain of their runner-up finish from 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 in the 2025-2026 UEFA Champions League (UCL) final held at Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary, winning 1-1 after extra time and 4-3 in the penalty shootout (PSO).

By defeating Arsenal, PSG secured their second all-time major trophy and achieved the historic milestone of back-to-back Champions League titles — the first in the club's 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. Arsenal, the Premier League champions, bowed out just short of completing a double.

PSG lined up with a three-forward formation featuring Desire Doué, Ousmane Dembélé, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. The midfield trio 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. The second line featured Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard, and Leandro Trossard. The midfield pairing was Miles Lewis-Skelly and Declan Rice, 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 curled into the upper corner of PSG's net.

Having taken an early lead, Arsenal shifted to a purely defensive strategy, showing no signs of urgency. In contrast, PSG, desperate for an equalizer, dramatically 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 77% of possession in the first half, PSG failed to breach Arsenal's thick defensive wall. According to statistics specialist 'FootMob', PSG's expected goals (xG) in the first half were a mere 0.26, reflecting a lack of real danger. While PSG attempted 306 passes throughout the first half, constantly seeking opportunities, Arsenal, having 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 long distance, but the shot went straight into Raya's arms.

A turning point emerged in the frustrating flow of the match. 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 stood. In the 20th minute, Dembélé, taking the kick, perfectly deceived Raya by directing a right-footed shot into the left net, leveling the score at 1-1.

Arsenal, having conceded the first goal, made a bold tactical move. Just 21 minutes into the second half, they substituted Mosquera and Ødegaard, bringing on Wiilliam Timber and Victor Yekkes.

Even after the equalizer, PSG continued their attack-focused momentum. Arsenal increased their use of long balls from the back, targeting Yekkes or Havertz up front, in an attempt to launch counterattacks.

Both teams made further use of their bench resources late in the second half. In the 38th minute, Arsenal substituted Saka and Trossard, bringing on Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli to inject energy into the flanks. PSG responded by substituting Kvaratskhelia with Bradley Barcola.

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 added time were awarded.

During stoppage time, PSG encountered an unexpected twist. In the 5th minute of added time, Dembélé complained of leg pain and signaled for a substitution, prompting Gonçalo Ramos to rush onto the pitch. Just before the final whistle, Barcola attempted a dramatic counterattack shot, but it narrowly missed to the left of the goal. The match ultimately ended in a 1-1 draw after regular time.

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 Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, who was shouting from the bench, was issued a warning.

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 two consecutive seasons ended in disappointment. Despite intense back-and-forth play throughout the 30th minutes of extra time, no goals were scored.

Both teams' goalkeepers stood in front of the goal after reviewing data on opposing kickers using pads and other equipment before the shootout began.

PSG's first kicker, Ramos, calmly converted his shot, and Arsenal's first kicker, Yekkes, also found the net, making the score 1-1. The second kickers, however, experienced contrasting fortunes. PSG's Doué succeeded, while Raya, the Arsenal goalkeeper, completely misdirected his shot twice in a row. Subsequently, Eze's kick for Arsenal, aimed to the left, missed the goal entirely — a fatal error.

The goalkeeper who saved Arsenal from crisis was Raya, who played through injury. Raya made a spectacular diving save to deny PSG's third kicker, Mendes, from a sharp left-footed shot, compensating for the earlier miss. Then, Rice successfully converted his kick for Arsenal, restoring the penalty shootout score to 2-2. The fourth kickers, PSG's Hakimi and Arsenal's Martinelli, both scored, maintaining a tense 3-3 tie.

The final, fifth kickers decided the match cruelly. Beraldo, PSG's fifth kicker, struck the ball precisely into the far right corner. In contrast, Magalhães, Arsenal's fifth kicker, whose shot was crucial to win, fired a powerful shot that soared over the crossbar into the air.

Ultimately, PSG defeated Arsenal 4-3 in the penalty shootout, securing their second all-time major trophy and achieving the historic milestone of back-to-back Champions League titles — the first in the club's history. Manager Arteta bowed his head just short of completing a double.

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*This content was translated by AI.