Paris Saint-Germain secured back-to-back Champions League titles with a 4-3 penalty shootout win over Arsenal after a 1-1 draw following extra time on Saturday in Budapest. Eberechi Eze and Gabriel missed their spot kicks for the English side. Mikel Arteta’s Premier League champions displayed strong resilience to extend the match past 120 minutes yet suffered a second final loss, two decades after their initial defeat in Paris against Barcelona. Luis Enrique’s team became only the second club after Real Madrid to claim consecutive titles in the modern Champions League era. PSG’s initial success took 55 years, including 14 under Qatari ownership, while this victory may launch an era of sustained dominance. Luis Enrique quickly rebuilt the squad by removing star players and creating a unified attacking unit known for its speed. This marked the coach’s third Champions League win, placing him among five managers with three titles, his first achieved with Barcelona in 2015. Kai Havertz gave Arsenal an early lead after six minutes, but Ousmane Dembele’s second-half penalty forced extra time and penalties. Jurrien Timber returned from injury but was not selected at right-back, with Cristhian Mosquera deployed there instead. Havertz started in attack ahead of Viktor Gyokeres and performed well initially. Enrique chose ten players from the previous year’s final win over Inter Milan. Arsenal’s sole prior final in 2006 ended in defeat to Barcelona after a red card to goalkeeper Jens Lehmann. The Gunners began strongly at the Puskas Arena as Havertz scored early following a deflection. Havertz, who netted the winner in Chelsea’s 2021 final, benefited from the loose ball and finished from a tight angle. Arsenal’s solid defense limited PSG despite their possession advantage. Gabriel made a key tackle on Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who was restricted throughout the first half. A possible penalty for handball by Bukayo Saka was not awarded. After the break PSG increased their tempo. David Raya saved from Achraf Hakimi before Kvaratskhelia combined with Dembele, leading to a foul and the equalizing penalty. Dembele converted to make it 1-1, PSG’s 45th goal of the tournament. Kvaratskhelia struck the post late on, and Bradley Barcola missed a chance before extra time. The match went to penalties where Arsenal missed twice, allowing PSG to claim the trophy.
