Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) emerged victorious in the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League final, defeating Arsenal in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in regulation time. This win marks PSG’s second Champions League title, making them the first French club to achieve this feat.
Arsenal, who had an impressive run throughout the tournament, entered the final as the top team, remaining unbeaten until this match. The London club was seeking its first Champions League trophy, having previously lost in the final in 2006.
In contrast, PSG, the defending champions, had to navigate through additional playoff rounds after finishing 11th in the league. Their path to the final included victories over Chelsea, Liverpool, and Bayern Munich.
Match Highlights
- The scoring opened in the sixth minute when Arsenal’s Kai Havertz capitalized on a defensive error, breaking free and striking the ball into the net for a quick 1-0 lead.
- Despite dominating possession with 77% of the ball in the first half, PSG managed only one shot on target before halftime, a weak attempt from Fabian Ruiz that was easily saved.
- PSG earned a penalty in the second half when VAR confirmed a foul by Christian Mosquera on Khvicha Kvaratskhelia just outside the box.
- Golden Ball winner Ousmane Dembélé stepped up to take the penalty, successfully converting it to equalize the score at 1-1 with just half an hour left in regulation.
- PSG continued to control the game and nearly took the lead in the 77th minute when Kvaratskhelia’s shot deflected off a defender and struck the post.
- In a tense finish, Vitinha created another opportunity for PSG with a dangerous shot that sailed over the crossbar just before full time.
- After the teams remained deadlocked at 1-1, they played an additional 30 minutes, during which only one shot on goal was recorded, a weak effort from Desire Doue that was easily handled by the goalkeeper.
- Ukrainian defender Ilya Zabarnyi made his Champions League knockout stage debut, playing the final 15 minutes of extra time.
- The decisive moment came during the penalty shootout, where both teams missed one kick. Arsenal’s Eberechi Eze and PSG’s Nuno Mendes failed to score, but Gabriel’s final attempt for Arsenal was saved, sealing a 4-3 victory for PSG.
Champions League Final Result
PSG (France) — Arsenal (England) — 1-1 (PSG wins 4-3 on penalties)
Goals: Dembélé (pen. 65) — Havertz (6)
Implications of PSG’s Victory
- This triumph secures PSG’s second Champions League title, establishing them as the first French club to win the prestigious tournament twice.
- PSG also becomes the second team in the modern Champions League era (since 1992) to defend their title successfully, following Real Madrid’s three consecutive wins from 2016 to 2018.
- Ilya Zabarnyi joins the ranks of Ukrainian players who have won the Champions League, participating in seven matches during his debut season with PSG.
PSG claimed its second UEFA Champions League title by defeating Arsenal in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw. This victory marks a historic moment for French football, as PSG becomes the first club from France to win the tournament twice.