Paris Saint-Germaine (PSG) have emerged Kings of Europe for the second time back-to-back after defeating Arsenal in a a penalty shootout 4-3 in the final of the Uefa Champions League 2025/26 on Saturday 30 May, 2026 at Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary.
The game went into extra time and then to penalty shootout following a 1-1 full time outcome.
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal headed into the game looking to lift the Uefa Champions League trophy for the first time in their existence, while, Luis Enrique’s PSG landed in the Hungarian Capital to defend their crown, which they did, but, with so much struggle.
The final was Arsenal’s first in twenty (20) years.
The Premier League side made the beautiful start to the contest with German forward, Kai Havertz, powering home in the 6th minute of play. Marquinhos’ attempted clearance struck Norwegian midfielder, Martin Odegaard, and dropped onto the path of the former Bayer Leverkusen player.
Arsenal displayed a defensive masterclass for a large part of the 120 minutes, with the French Ligue 1 side’s lethal attack looking frustrated and empty of ideas.
But, in the 65th minute, an easy route to level was handed to the Les Parisiens as Ousmane Dembele stepped up and found the back of the net from the penalty spot.
The penalty kick was awarded PSG after Cristhian Mosquera’s foul on Khvicha Kvaratskhelia; the Gunners centre-back went into the back of the PSG winger and caught him on the calf.
In the first 15 minutes of extra time, Arsenal had a penalty waved away. Noni Madueke manoeuvred through Nuno Mendes on the outside into the box, got his body in front of the Portuguese left-back, and then went down. Declan Rice and the whole Arsenal bench had their hands in the air, however, the incident was not even considered for review.
In the end, Rice and Arteta were both shown the yellow card.
The match went into a penalty shootout with Eberechi Eze and Gabriel misfiring their kicks, and, David Raya making a brilliant save to deny Mendes. PSG won the shootout 4-3 to retain their crown as Kings of Europe.
In his reaction after Eze and Gabriel lost their penalties, Rice told TNT Sports, he feels “Devastated”, and, “Missing a penalty in a Champions League final isn’t nice, but we love them”.
The English defensive midfielder added: “It happens in football. They aren’t going to be the last players to miss a penalty in finals. Everyone has missed a penalty. Without those two this season, we wouldn’t have won the Premier League. It’s cruel, but we take the positives.”
In his post-defeat comments, Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, told TNT Sports, “It’s very tough to accept”. He said, the Gunners have been “consistent” in the UCL 2025/26, but, reached the final and emerged loser on penalties, which is “difficult” to absorb.
Arteta continued: “We haven’t done it for 22 years [win the Premier League] and it is only the second time in our history [we have reached the UCL final].”
2025 = 🏆
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) May 30, 2026
2026 = 🏆 pic.twitter.com/CJgaAo472m
Photo: PSG are Uefa Champions League 2025/26 Winners | Paris Saint-Germaine/X
