Video: PSG retain European crown after 4-3 penalty win over Arsenal
Abdullateef Fowewe
Paris Saint-Germain successfully defended their European title after a gripping final at the Puskás Aréna, beating Arsenal 4-3 in a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw after 120 minutes.
The final burst into life in the sixth minute when Leandro Trossard set up Kai Havertz, whose low finish gave Arsenal an early lead and forced PSG to chase the game.
Early appeals from the French side for a first-half penalty, when the ball appeared to strike Bukayo Saka’s hand, were reviewed and rejected by the referee and VAR.
PSG finally levelled in the 64th minute when Arsenal defender Cristhian Mosquera conceded a penalty after a rash challenge in the box.
Ousmane Dembélé calmly sent goalkeeper David Raya the wrong way from the spot to make it 1-1.
The remainder of regular time and the added 30 minutes of extra time were dominated by PSG possession as the French champions sought a winner, but Arsenal’s defence stood firm and neither side could be separated before spot-kicks.
The shootout provided high drama and heartbreak in equal measure. Gonçalo Ramos, Désiré Doué and Achraf Hakimi converted for PSG, while Arsenal’s Eberechi Eze suffered an early miss, sending his attempt wide after a stuttered run-up.
David Raya briefly revived Arsenal’s hopes with a low save from Nuno Mendes, and Viktor Gyökeres, Declan Rice and Gabriel Martinelli kept the Gunners level into sudden death.
The decisive moment came with the tenth penalty.
PSG’s Lucas Beraldo coolly slotted his kick past Raya, putting the pressure back on Arsenal.
Gabriel Magalhães stepped up for the final spot-kick but failed to convert, handing PSG a 4-3 shootout victory and making them only the second club since 1990 to retain the European trophy.
The win cements PSG’s status at the pinnacle of European club football and caps a pulsating final staged before a packed Puskás Aréna.
