Champions League Final Review: Paris Saint-Germain beat Arsenal on penalties to win back-to-back Champions League titles

PSG has become the first team since Real Madrid to win consecutive UCL titles. (Image credits – Heute; licence details) 

Paris Saint-Germain won the Champions League for the second time in a row, coming back from one goal down to beat Arsenal 4-3 in a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw at the end of extra time. Mikel Arteta's team and Luis Enrique's team faced off, and both teams played tense games. 

Gabriel Magalhaes and Eberechi Eze missed in the shootout, resulting in Arsenal's defeat. PSG were without their main spot-kick takers, Ousmane Dembélé, Vitinha, Kvicha Kvaratskhelia, and captain Marquinhos, for the shootout, but the majority of their penalties were excellent. David Raya saved a fantastic effort from Nuno Mendes, but it wasn't enough to save the Gunners.

Arsenal scored with the game's first shot, as Kai Havertz fired past Safonov in goal. He became the first player to start two Champions League finals for different Premier League clubs and score in each one. However, after scoring the goal, the Gunners took a pragmatic approach, content to defend their way out of the match. They completed 69 passes in the first half, the fewest by any team in the Champions League final. Arsenal averaged only one pass per minute during the first 17 minutes.

Mikel Arteta's team performed admirably without the ball; the trolls may call it defensive and pragmatic, but they were simply exceptional as a unit. This was one of the most impressive defensive performances in a UCL final against a team known for outscoring opponents. The Gunners left no space for PSG attackers to exploit, and between the lines, they blocked all possible passing lanes, making life difficult for the French team.

Christian Mosquera's clumsy challenge brought Kvaratskhelia down, and PSG was fortunate to be awarded a penalty. Current Ballon d'Or holder Ousmane Dembele stepped up and expertly slotted the ball into the net, tying the game for PSG. Kvaratskhelia hit the crossbar in the 77th minute after his shot deflected off Miles Lewis Skelly.

Despite losing in the final, Arsenal can be proud of their performance. (Image credits – Heute; licence details) 

Bradley Barcola also missed two chances after coming on as a substitute for the Georgian winger. After equalising, it was all PSG on the pitch, putting enormous pressure on the Arsenal defence. When Nuno Mendes brought down Noni Madueke, the Gunners appealed for a penalty, but the VAR denied their claim and the game continued. Viktor Gyokeres' shot went wide late in injury time.

Paris Saint-Germain emerged victorious, but Arsenal can be proud of their season. Mikel Arteta's side has only conceded seven goals in the Champions League this season, and they produced another outstanding defensive performance on the big night. It was the first UCL final to go to a shootout since the 2016 final between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid.

PSG has become the first team since Real Madrid to win consecutive Champions League titles, and they hope to complete a historic three-peat next season. This season, Luis Enrique's team has scored 45 goals, tying FC Barcelona's record for most goals scored in a Champions League season. While Arsenal is still waiting to be crowned European Champions, Luis Enrique has three Champions League titles as a manager, winning all three finals.

Interestingly, PSG became the first team to win consecutive league and Champions League titles with essentially the same lineup. Luis Enrique had used the same lineup as last year, with the exception of the goalkeeper, who was Donnarumma, when PSG defeated Inter Milan 5-0 in the final in a lopsided match.