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PSG earns back-to-back Champion League titles with big victory vs. Arsenal
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- PSG earns back-to-back Champion League titles with big victory vs. Arsenal
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Paris Saint-Germain defeated Arsenal 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw following extra time in the UEFA Champions League final at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary, on Saturday. With the win, PSG became only the second club in the modern era to successfully defend the Champions League title, matching Real Madrid ’s 2016-18 streak.
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Arsenal took the lead in the 6th minute when Kai Havertz capitalized on a sequence that began with Marquinhos ’ clearance deflecting off Leandro Trossard . Havertz ran through on goal and struck a powerful left-footed shot into the roof of the net from a tight angle. The goal added to his record of scoring in a Champions League final with multiple clubs, alongside players such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Mario Mandzukic .
PSG controlled large spells of possession, while Arsenal recorded just 26% possession, the lowest in a Champions League final since 2004 (Opta). However, PSG only equalized in the 65th minute when Ousmane Dembele converted a penalty after Cristhian Mosquera fouled Khvicha Kvaratskhelia , with the decision confirmed by VAR.
The match remained level through extra time, marking the first Champions League final to go beyond 90 minutes in a decade.
In the shootout, PSG converted through Gonçalo Ramos, Desire Doue, Achraf Hakimi , and Lucas Beraldo . Mendes had his effort saved by Raya. For Arsenal, Eze and Gabriel Magalhaes missed, while Gabriel’s final attempt sailed over the crossbar, securing a 4-3 shootout victory for PSG.
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The win made PSG the 10th team in European Cup history to win consecutive titles. Head coach Luis Enrique claimed his third Champions League title, adding to his previous wins with Barcelona in 2015 and PSG last season, joining a select group of managers with three or more European Cups.
PSG ran riot in front of goal, hitting a record-breaking 44 Champions League strikes in one season. Arsenal, meanwhile, extended their trophy drought in Europe to 266 matches without a Champions League title.
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