Paris Saint-Germain defended their European crown after defeating Arsenal 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra time in Budapest on Saturday.
The French side recovered from an early setback to secure consecutive continental titles, becoming only the second club in the modern era to achieve the feat after Real Madrid. The victory also marked a third European triumph for coach Luis Enrique, who previously lifted the trophy with Barcelona in 2015.
Arsenal struck first inside six minutes when Kai Havertz capitalised on a defensive error before finishing emphatically from a tight angle. Mikel Arteta’s side then frustrated the Parisian attack for long periods with disciplined defending and compact organisation.
Despite dominating possession, PSG struggled to create clear openings until the second half. Their breakthrough arrived when Ousmane Dembele converted a penalty after Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was brought down in the area.
The match remained level through extra time, although the French champions looked the more dangerous side as Arsenal tired. Bradley Barcola and Kvaratskhelia both came close to finding a winner before the contest moved to penalties.
Arsenal’s Eberechi Eze missed the opening spot-kick for the English side, while David Raya briefly restored hope by saving from Nuno Mendes. However, Gabriel fired Arsenal’s final penalty over the crossbar, allowing the Ligue 1 club to seal another European success.
The latest title underlines the rapid transformation overseen by Luis Enrique, who reshaped the squad into a younger and more balanced team following the departures of several high-profile stars. Backed by Qatari ownership, the club now appears firmly positioned to build a sustained period of dominance in European football.
For Arsenal, the defeat ended a strong continental campaign in disappointment and extended their wait for a first European title. Their only previous final appearance came in 2006, when they lost to Barcelona.
