Paris Saint German (PSG) successfully defended their Champions League title!
Paris Saint German (PSG) repeats consecutive European Champions league title!
Budapest, May 30 (EFE).-
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) successfully defended their Champions League title, defeating Arsenal 4-3 in a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw after regular time and extra time. With this victory in Budapest, the French team claimed its second consecutive European championship, extending the continental jinx for the English club.
The final showcased the strategy of Spanish coach Luis Enrique, who earned his third Champions League title as a manager. Conversely, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal left frustrated after losing the final, despite entering the tournament undefeated and holding the lead for much of the match.
Arsenal’s early surprise
Arsenal stunned PSG right from the opening whistle with high pressure that quickly paid off. In the 6th minute, a midfield error by Marquinhos allowed Germany’s Kai Havertz to steal the ball, run forty meters, and beat goalkeeper Matvey Safonov with a cross-shot, putting the score at 0-1.
Following the goal, PSG took absolute control of possession, reaching a notable 72%. However, Arsenal’s defensive wall, led by Gabriel and William Saliba, neutralized every Parisian attempt in the first half, leaving the reigning champion without a single shot on target before halftime.
Dembélé rescues the champion
PSG’s persistence paid off in the second half. In the 65th minute, Georgia’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia broke into the box and was brought down by Spanish defender Christian Mosquera. The referee awarded a penalty, and the current Ballon d’Or winner, Ousmane Dembélé, converted from the spot to equalize at 1-1.
The equalizer shattered the tactical order, turning the match into an exciting end-to-end contest. Kvaratskhelia hit the post in the 77th minute, while Arsenal’s Spanish goalkeeper, David Raya, excelled in the final moments of regular time and throughout extra time to prevent a French comeback.
Decided from the penalty spot
With no further goals after 30 minutes of extra time at the Puskas Arena, the final went to penalties. Although David Raya saved Nuno Mendes’ attempt, missed by Eberechi Eze and Gabriel, who both shot wide, sealed the defeat for the British side.
PSG thus joins the select group of clubs that have successfully defended their European title consecutively. Arsenal, on the other hand, falls in a Champions League final twenty years after their last appearance, reviving their historic jinx in the top competition.
Technical Sheet:
1 – Paris SG: Matvey Safonov; Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos (Illia Zabarnyi, 106), William Pacho, Nuno Mendes; Vitinha (Lucas Beraldo, 106), Joao Neves, Fabián Ruiz (Warren Zaire-mery, 95); Desire Doué, Ousmane Dembélé (Gonçalo Ramos, 96+) and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Bradley Barcola, 83).
1 – Arsenal: David Raya; Christian Mosquera (Jurrien Timber, 66), William Saliba, Gabriel, Piero Hincapié; Declan Rice, Myles Lewis-Skelly (Martin Zubimendi, 91), Martin Odegaard (Viktor Gyokeres, 66), Bukayo Saka (Noni Madueke, 83), Leandro Trossard (Gabriel Martinelli, 83) and Kai Havertz (Ebrechi Eze, 91)
Goals: 0-1, 6th min: Kai Havertz. 1-1, 65th min: Ousmane Dembele (penalty).
Penalty Shootout:
G.Ramos (PSG): Goal (1-0)
Gyokeres (Arsenal): Goal (1-1)
Doue (PSG): Goal (2-1)
Eze (Arsenal): Miss (2-1)
N.Mendes (PSG): Miss (2-1)
Rice (Arsenal): Goal (2-2)
Hakimi (PSG): Goal (3-2)
Martinelli (Arsenal): Goal (3-3)
Beraldo (PSG): Goal (4-3)
Gabriel (Arsenal): Miss (4-3)
Referee: Daniel Siebert (GER). Yellow cards shown to Christian Mosquera, Bukayo Saka, Viktor Gyokeres, Declan Rice, and coach Mikel Arteta (Arsenal); and Joao Neves and Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain).
Match Details: Champions League Final played at the Puskas Arena in Budapest before approximately 67,000 spectators. EFE
apa/dmv
TXT
[…] esta victoria, el proyecto del PSG se consolida en la cumbre del fútbol mundial al registrar su segundo título consecutivo de Champions. En la otra acera, la frustración se […]