By Paris Saint-Germain successfully defended their UEFA Champions League crown after defeating Arsenal 5-4 on penalties in a thrilling final in Budapest on Saturday, May 30.
The encounter ended 1-1 after regulation and extra time which forced the game into a dramatic penalty shootout to determine the winner.
Arsenal struck early through Kai Havertz in the 6th minute. Latching onto a pass from Leandro Trossard, the German forward drove into the box before firing a powerful effort from a tight angle into the top-left corner.
PSG dominated possession and created most of the attacking chances throughout the match, but the French side struggled to break through Arsenal’s defence in the opening half.
Their persistence eventually paid off in the 62nd minute when Cristhian Mosquera brought down Khvicha Kvaratskhelia inside the penalty area. Ousmane Dembélé stepped up three minutes later and calmly converted from the spot to restore parity for PSG.
Despite several chances at both ends, neither side could find a winner in extra time. They final was then decided in the penalties.
In the shootout, Arsenal missed through Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Magalhães, while Nuno Mendes was the only PSG player to fail from the spot. PSG ultimately triumphed 5-4 on penalties to secure their second UEFA Champions League title in history and become back-to-back European champions.
The Parisian club had won their maiden Champions League title last season after a dominant 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in the final. Arsenal, meanwhile, suffered another heartbreak in Europe, extending their wait for a first Champions League trophy since losing 2-1 to Barcelona in the 2006 final.
