PSG 1-1 Arsenal (4-3 TAB): PSG makes Champions League history!

The day has finally come and PSG will have a chance to defend their title against Mikel Arteta's Arsenal in the Champions League final in the Puskas Arena, Budapest. After a difficult start in the League Phase of the competition, the Parisians delivered once again an impressive run in the knockout stage, well-led by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ousmane Dembélé.

Meanwhile, the Gunners easily finished at the top of the League Phase before a masterful knockout stage run, thanks to their impenatrable defence. Mikel Arteta's team is still undefeated in the competition and has only conceded six goals on their way to the final.

Both sides faced each other seven times in total with each teams winning two games, though, Paris came out victorious of their last two clashes in the semi-finals of last year's Champions League.

For this game, Luis Enrique opted for his traditional starting XI with Achraf Hakimi making his return to the starting lineup after his injury picked up in the first-leg against Bayern Munich. In midfield, Fabian Ruiz has been preferred to Warren Zaire-Emery and will start alongside Joao Neves and Vitinha. The front line will be composed of Dembélé, Kvaratskhelia and Doué.

Paris Saint-Germain's starting XI: Safonov; Marquinhos, Pacho, Nuno Mendes, Hakimi; Fabian Ruiz, Vitinha, Joao Neves; Kvaratskhelia, Dembélé, Doué.

Arsenal's starting XI: David Raya; Saliba, Gabriel, Mosquera, Hincapié; Rice, Lewis-Skelly, Odegaard; Trossard, Saka; Havertz.

Paris Saint-Germain makes history !

Nightmare start for the European Champions as Kai Havertz put the Gunners in the lead after just six minutes. The German forward found himself on goal after a friendly rebound and left no chance to Safonov from a tight angle.

The Parisians looked to put more pressure on their opponents, but the Gunners were once again impressively well-organised without the ball, leaving no room to PSG's forward to express their abilities while leaving no space to run in-behind.

In the dying minutes of the first half, Fabian Ruiz had the best opportunity for PSG but his header went wide despite being from close range. At the break, Arsenal has been perfect defensively, holding Paris to zero shot on target, proof of their offensive struggles.

With 30 minutes left in the game, Kvaratskhelia was brought down in the box by Mosquera and Ousmane Dembélé put his side back into the game with a well-taken penalty (65'). The Frenchman scored his 8th Champions League goal of the season in 13 games. 'Kvara' came close to give the lead to his side after a remarkable run but he was ultimately denied by the post following a deflection (77').

In the dying embers, Vitinha came just inches away from giving the win to his team but his effort went above the crossbar (89'). The main talking point of the first half of extra time was definitely the possible penalty shout for Arsenal. Meanwhile, both sides remained in a deadlock.

Unable to decide a winner after 120 minutes of play, a penalty shootout will decide the winner of the 2025-2026 Champions League. PSG makes history and win back-to-back after a penalty shootout victory.

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