By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Photo Credit: PSG.
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) have defended their UEFA Champions League crown by beating Arsenal 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in Budapest on Saturday.
Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes smashed the decisive penalty over the crossbar, his miss confirming PSG as the second club to retain the trophy.
PSG became the first side to successfully defend their title since Real Madrid’s three-peat from 2016 to 2018, and only the second to do it in the Champions League era – 1993 onwards.
Mikel Arteta’s side took the lead when Marquinhos’ clearance bounced off Arsenal’s Leandro Trossard into the path of Kai Havertz, who raced into the box and fired into the roof of the net to become the fourth player to score in two different European Cup or Champions League finals with two different clubs.
Arsenal, however, were flirting with the boundaries with their challenges and Cristhian Mosquera brought down Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in the area, with Ousmane Dembele converting the penalty to level with his eighth goal in the competition.
After controlling the tempo in the first half, Arsenal played into PSG’s hands as the pace increased significantly, giving too much space to Kvaratskhelia or Bradley Barcola, who replaced the Georgian winger with seven minutes left.
In the 89th minute, PSG came close to giving the final an abrupt end as Vitinha’s attempt went just over, grazing the top of the net. Barcola also shot over the bar after a counter attack with what would have been the last kick of the game.
With both teams having run out of steam, extra time was a cautious affair and when referee Daniel Siebert blew his whistle Arsenal had only managed one shot on target.
Arsenal’s Eberechi Eze missed his penalty before David Raya saved Nuno Mendes’ attempt. Gabriel had to score to keep Arsenal’s hopes alive but, facing PSG’s end, he fired over and the French side were left to celebrate being European champions once again.
“It’s stronger than last year because we knew before the match just how difficult it would be to play against Arsenal,” said Luis Enrique.
“As a club and a city, it’s incredible to win, and I think we deserved it over the course of the season. The final was a real battle.”
Since the start of last season they have won eight of the 10 trophies available to them – only missing out on last summer’s Club World Cup and this campaign’s French Cup.