30.05.2026 22:10
The UEFA Champions League 2025/26 season champion has been decided. In the grand final, defending champion Paris Saint Germain faced Arsenal. After a 120-minute draw, PSG won 4-3 on penalties to claim the trophy.
The thrilling final of the UEFA Champions League between PSG and Arsenal went to penalties. The match, which ended 1-1 in regular time and extra time, saw the French team win the cup after the penalty shootout. Gabriel's missed final penalty for Arsenal caused great disappointment.
THE WINNER OF THE GRAND FINAL WAS DECIDED BY PENALTIES
PSG became the champion of the season in the UEFA Champions League, the most prestigious club-level organization in European football. In the final played at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, the capital of Hungary, Arsenal and PSG faced off. The match, which ended 1-1 in regular time and extra time, had its winner determined by penalty kicks.
HAVERTZ PUT ARSENAL AHEAD
Arsenal, starting the match effectively, took the lead in the 6th minute. After Marquinhos' clearance hit his opponent, Kai Havertz sprinted behind the defense, carrying the ball from the PSG half into the penalty area. The German star, in a one-on-one situation with goalkeeper Safonov, scored to put his team 1-0 ahead. In the remaining part of the first half, both teams struggled to create clear chances, and Arsenal went into the dressing room with the lead.
DEMBELE EQUALIZED FROM THE PENALTY SPOT
PSG, increasing their pressure in the second half, won a penalty in the 65th minute. Ousmane Dembele, stepping up to take it, sent goalkeeper David Raya the wrong way to make the score 1-1. After this goal, no further goals were scored, and the final moved into extra time.
A FIRST SINCE 2018
The final between PSG and Arsenal also featured a notable statistic in Champions League history. For the first time since 2018, both teams experienced the joy of scoring in a Champions League final. The last such instance was the 2018 final, where Real Madrid defeated Liverpool 3-1.
DRAMATIC CONCLUSION IN PENALTIES
As the deadlock remained unbroken in extra time, the match went to a penalty shootout. Both teams failed to convert one penalty each in the early rounds, and the decisive moment of the series came in the fifth round.
PSG converted their final penalty, while Gabriel, stepping up for Arsenal, sent his shot wide. With this result, the French representative PSG took the UEFA Champions League trophy home after the penalty shootout.