Paris Saint-Germain have been crowned Champions League winners after beating Arsenal on penalties in a tense final at the Puskás Arena in Budapest. The match finished 1-1 after extra time before PSG held their nerve in the shootout, winning 4-3 to secure another major European night in the club’s history.
Arsenal made the stronger start and took an early lead through Kai Havertz in the sixth minute. Mikel Arteta’s side then defended with discipline for long periods, trying to protect their advantage against a PSG team that gradually grew into the match. The French champions pushed higher after the break and eventually found the equaliser through Ousmane Dembélé, sending the final into extra time.
Neither side could find a winner in extra time, leaving the trophy to be decided by penalties. PSG converted four of their spot-kicks, while Arsenal missed at the decisive moment, allowing Luis Enrique’s side to complete the job and retain their place at the top of European football. For Arsenal, it was another painful Champions League final defeat, with the club still waiting for its first European Cup.
The result also underlines PSG’s growth as a more complete European force. In previous years, the club was often criticised for relying too heavily on individual stars, but this latest triumph showed a team with structure, patience and composure in pressure moments. Luis Enrique’s tactical control, PSG’s ability to recover after conceding early, and their calmness in the shootout all played a major role in the victory.
For Arsenal, the defeat will be difficult to accept after a strong season and a brave performance in the final. After being crowned Premier League champions, Mikel Arteta’s side had the chance to complete a historic double, but the Champions League final ended in heartbreak. The Premier League champions showed resilience and defensive organisation, but they could not turn their early lead into a historic European title, despite a domestic campaign that had already seen Arsenal move closer to the Premier League title earlier in the season. PSG, meanwhile, leave Budapest as Champions League winners once again, proving that their European success is no longer a one-off moment but part of a larger era of dominance.