By Ghazali Ibrahim
Paris Saint-Germain successfully defended their UEFA Champions League crown on Saturday, defeating Arsenal 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw following extra time in the final played in Budapest, Hungary.
The French champions became only the second club to retain the Champions League title since the competition was rebranded in 1992, joining Real Madrid, which won three consecutive titles between 2016 and 2018.
Arsenal, who ended a 22-year wait to win the Premier League this season, were seeking their first-ever European Cup triumph and made a dream start to the final.
The Gunners took the lead early in the match when PSG captain Marquinhos’ attempted clearance ricocheted off Leandro Trossard and fell kindly to Kai Havertz. The German forward raced through on goal from near the halfway line and fired home from a tight angle to put Arsenal ahead.
PSG, however, responded after the break. Their breakthrough came when Arsenal defender Cristhian Mosquera fouled Khvicha Kvaratskhelia inside the penalty area. Following a lengthy VAR review, the referee awarded a penalty, which Ousmane Dembélé calmly converted, sending goalkeeper David Raya the wrong way to level the score.
With neither side able to find a winner in regulation or extra time, the contest was decided by penalties.
PSG held their nerve from the spot, while Arsenal’s hopes were dashed when defender Gabriel Magalhães blasted the decisive penalty over the crossbar, handing the French side a 4-3 shootout victory.
The final was the first Champions League showpiece to be settled by penalties since Real Madrid defeated city rivals Atlético Madrid in 2016.
PSG’s triumph also places them among an elite group of clubs to win back-to-back European Cups, becoming the 10th team in the competition’s history to achieve the feat.
