PSG defeat Arsenal on penalties to secure back-to-back Champions League titles

Paris Saint-Germain successfully defended their UEFA Champions League crown after defeating Arsenal 4-3 in a penalty shootout in Budapest on Saturday.

The final, played at the Puskás Aréna, ended 1-1 after 120 minutes before the French side held their composure from the spot to claim consecutive European titles.

Arsenal took an early lead in the sixth minute. A clearance from Marquinhos fell kindly for Kai Havertz, who calmly finished past goalkeeper Matvei Safonov.

PSG equalised from the penalty spot in the 65th minute after Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was fouled inside the box. Ousmane Dembélé stepped up and converted with authority.

With neither team able to break the deadlock in extra time, the final went to a shootout for the first time since the 2015–16 season. Misses from Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Magalhães, whose decisive spot-kick flew over the crossbar, handed victory to PSG.

The Ligue 1 champions became the first team to retain the trophy since Real Madrid won three straight titles between 2016 and 2018.

Havertz, who scored for Chelsea in the 2021 final, joined Cristiano Ronaldo and Mario Mandžukić as the only players to net in a Champions League final for two different clubs.

Tensions flared late in extra time when Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and midfielder Declan Rice were both shown yellow cards for dissent after a penalty appeal for a challenge on Noni Madueke was waved away.

PSG substitute Bradley Barcola also had a golden chance to win the match in normal time but fired over the bar from close range.

Arsenal entered the final as newly crowned Premier League champions but fell short in their quest for a first European Cup in the club’s history.