PSG retain Champions League title with shoot-out win over Arsenal
Mikel Arteta’s Premier League champions showed great resilience to take the game beyond 120 minutes but suffered a second final defeat 20 years after their first defeat against Barcelona in Paris.
Luis Enrique’s team became the second team to win consecutive champions in the Champions League, after Real Madrid.
PSG’s first victory was 55 years old; 14 of these were owned by Qatar; the latter could usher in what they hoped would be a period of domination and dynastic building.
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Luis Enrique quickly and effectively rebuilt the team by alienating the club’s superstars and creating a cohesive and determined attacking team that could tear apart opponents with terrifying speed.
It was the Spaniard’s third victory in the Champions League, making him one of only five managers to score a hat-trick – the first was at Barcelona in 2015. This looked unlikely for a while as Kai Havertz put Arsenal ahead six minutes from time, but Ousmane Dembele’s penalty midway through the second half saw a tight match go to extra time and ultimately penalties.
Arsenal’s Jurrien Timber has returned to health following a groin injury, but the rust he has suffered for more than two months has led Arteta to appoint Cristhian Camira at right-back.
The coach also favored Havertz in attack over Viktor Gyokeres, and for an hour it looked like his calls would pay off.
Luis Enrique named 10 players from the team that defeated Inter 5-0 in last year’s final, and PSG finally lifted the trophy they so desired.
Arsenal’s only previous final appearance was when German goalkeeper Jens Lehmann was sent off in the opening stages of their defeat to Barcelona in Paris in 2006.
They got off to a much better start at the Puskas Arena when Lehmann’s compatriot Havertz put Arsenal ahead after just six minutes.
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Havertz, who scored the winning goal in Chelsea’s 2021 Champions League final win, couldn’t believe his luck when Marquinhos’ clearance attempt hit Leandro Trossard and went into his path.
The striker galloped into the open space behind the PSG defense and towards Matvey Safonov’s goal. Havertz had a tight angle to clear but fired a shot towards the roof of the net.
This was PSG’s worst possible start against a miserable Arsenal side who conceded just six goals heading into the final.
Their disciplined defense drove away the Parisians with consummate ease; Luis Enrique’s side controlled the ball but were unable to clear Arsenal’s defensive goal.
Gabriel Magalhaes made an excellent last-ditch tackle to grab Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s pocket. Even though the dynamic Georgian was the best player of the tournament, he was not allowed to breathe in the first half.
The French champions appealed for a penalty after Bukayo Saka failed in his attempt to clear the ball and the ball hit both of his arms, but referee Daniel Siebert remained unmoved.
– Fight against –
PSG fell for shots at the basket from distance and tried to destabilize Arsenal’s rearguard by moving the ball faster after the break.
Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya saved Achraf Hakimi’s deflected free kick before Kvaratskhelia finally spoke. After the winger’s successful one-two with Dembele, Camira sent him into the box with a clumsy foul.
Dembele sent Raya the wrong way with a low penalty and PSG fans set off numerous flares in celebration. It was their 45th goal of the tournament and an all-time record.
PSG almost scored another goal when Kvaratskhelia fired in from the left wing, but youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly deflected his shot towards the post.
Substitute Bradley Barcola had a good chance ahead of extra time, with the French team making frequent threats as a tiring Arsenal suddenly gave them too much space.
The Gunners wanted a penalty awarded to them after substitute Noni Madueke went down under pressure from Nuno Mendes, but it would prove to be too difficult for the PSG defender, who the winger pulled down.
It went to a penalty shoot-out with PSG feeling confident having won three trophies this season and the last five. They also took the first shot in front of their own fans.
Arsenal blinked first, Ebereche Eze shot from distance, but Raya then saved PSG’s Mendes. Declan Rice brought the score to 2-2.
After Lucas Beraldo had put the Ligue 1 champions 4-3 ahead, Arsenal defender Gabriel was forced to give his side a fifth shot, lofting the ball high over the crossbar to hand PSG the trophy.
