Paris Saint-Germain became just the second team in modern history to defend their UEFA Champions League crown defeating Arsenal 4-3 on penalties after a tense 1-1 draw through extra time at the Puskás Aréna on Saturday.
Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhães fired the decisive spot-kick over the crossbar extending the newly crowned Premier League champions' painful wait for a maiden European title. Eberechi Eze also missed from the spot for Mikel Arteta's side.
The Gunners enjoyed a dream start inside five minutes when Marquinhos' attempted clearance deflected off Leandro Trossard, allowing Kai Havertz to burst through from the halfway line and blast a narrow-angle shot into the roof of the net.
However, Luis Enrique’s side mounted a second-half resurgence. The definitive breakthrough came when Arsenal defender Cristhian Mosquera fouled Khvicha Kvaratskhelia inside the penalty area. Following a lengthy VAR check, Ousmane Dembélé coolly sent David Raya the wrong way to level the scoreline.
With this victory, Paris Saint-Germain joins Real Madrid (2016–18) as the only clubs to retain the Champions League title since its rebranding in 1992. The triumph also marks a historic milestone for France, making PSG the first French club to achieve consecutive European Cup honors. Meanwhile, manager Luis Enrique enters an exclusive group of tacticians with three European Cup triumphs, alongside Bob Paisley, Pep Guardiola, Carlo Ancelotti and Zinedine Zidane.
