For Paris Saint-Germain, securing the Champions League title felt monumental, and doing it twice in a row? Well, that’s another level altogether.
In an intense match in Budapest on Saturday, PSG tied Arsenal 1-1 after extra time and triumphed 4-3 in the penalty shootout, marking their second consecutive victory as European champions.
“It’s just incredible,” remarked captain Marquinhos. “From the start of the season, the coach emphasized how challenging it is to win, and even harder to do it again. It required all of us to be focused and dedicated.”
Arsenal’s Gabriel Magalhães shot the team’s last penalty over the bar, which handed PSG the shootout win.
With this victory, PSG becomes only the second team in the modern era, after Real Madrid, to successfully defend their title.
Coach Luis Enrique, a three-time champion, has engineered a squad that was arguably stronger than any other in Europe, even Arsenal, who recently clinched the Premier League title and dominated through the Champions League group stage, finishing well ahead of PSG.
Yet, the prior stats faded at Puskas Stadium as PSG solidified their dominance in European football.
“It’s particularly special because we were aware of how tough this match would be,” Luis Enrique noted. “I think that’s something we all expected throughout the season, even if the final was tightly contested.”
After a decisive 5-0 win over Inter Milan last year, PSG faced more challenge this time, with Arsenal playing defensively and showcasing their formidable defense.
PSG had control of the ball but struggled to create opportunities after Kai Havertz scored in the 6th minute, putting them at a disadvantage. Ousmane Dembele equalized with a penalty in the 65th minute, taking the game into extra time for the first time in a decade.
Luis Enrique has quickly achieved what his friend Josep Guardiola couldn’t after winning the Champions League with Barcelona and Manchester City. He now joins an elite circle of managers—Carlo Ancelotti, Guardiola, Bob Paisley, and Zinedine Zidane—who have coached in at least three European Cup finals.
The ultimate aim? To replicate Real Madrid’s three-peat achieved under Zidane from 2016 to 2018. With an average squad age below 24 in Budapest, Enrique has fostered a team that could potentially dominate for years.
However, a determined Arsenal squad wasn’t about to give in easily.
PSG’s Ebelesi Eze missed an early penalty, while Arsenal’s goalkeeper David Raya denied Nuno Mendes’ attempt, keeping things level.
Lucas Berardo took PSG’s final penalty, but Gabriel needed to find the net to keep his team alive. Unfortunately, his shot went soaring over the bar, igniting jubilation among PSG’s players and fans alike.
