Paris Saint-Germain 1-1 Arsenal (4-3 on penalties): The Gunners came up just short in their attempt to make history in Budapest, but deserved more than they got.
Arsenal hero lost to PSG on penalties
They still deserve to be remembered as heroes.
In the end, Arsenal fell short of Paris Saint-Germain’s strength and suffered a tearful defeat at the Puskas Arena, ending their dual dream. Mikel Arteta’s side tried their best but the game ended in a penalty heartbreak as Gunners defender Gabriel smashed his fifth and crucial spot-kick over the bar.
Arsenal players looked dejected as they took a knee, but PSG enthusiastically celebrated in front of their fans for becoming only the second team in modern times, after Real Madrid, to retain the Champions League trophy.
Victor Gokeres, Declan Rice and Gabriel Martinelli scored, and David Raya made a crucial save from Nuno Mandes after Eberechi Eze missed, but it was Gabriel who smashed his shot over the bar.
Gonzalo Ramos, Desiree Douye, Achraf Hakimi and Lucas Berardo scored goals as Arsenal continue their wait for the European Cup. It was heartbreaking and shocking for Arsenal to not be able to add the biggest prize to their title despite having such a great season.
Arsenal were given 16,800 tickets to the 67,000-capacity stadium, but the sea of red and white and deafening noise made Puskas Arena feel more like north London than Budapest.
The roar was sensational and moving, and soon grew even louder. This was a true match-up between European powerhouses, and Arsenal were the first to go into this match.
The Gunners cut through tackles, jumped into the challenge and pressed high, clearly determined to give PSG’s best players a moment’s peace.
That was the story of the first goal. PSG captain Marquinhos tried to clear the ball and Leandro Trossard instantly cornered him and cornered him.
The ball slipped through to Havertz, but although the Arsenal striker was free to break into the PSG box, he still had a long way to go.
Arsenal lost on penalties as Gabriel and Ebelesi Eze failed to score.
Havertz was wide on the left and the German striker had little to aim at, finishing brilliantly into the roof of the net, but PSG keeper Matvei Safonov should never have been brought down at his near post like that.
But I don’t care how it got there, just that it actually got there. Arsenal fans filled the venue with cheers and enthusiastic celebrations.
It feels like they haven’t stopped partying since winning the title, but this might have been the loudest cheer. Six minutes into the game Arsenal were in dreamland.
The problem is that scoring early gives your opponent more time to recover. Well, you didn’t think it would be easy, did you? Not against this lot.
PSG cornered Arsenal. Hviča Kvaratschelia had his sights clearly set on Arsenal’s goal, but defender Gabriel made the best and most timely tackle I’ve ever seen.
But a clear pattern was emerging. With Arsenal defending deep and PSG launching wave after wave of attacks, it was a matter of whether Arteta’s side could withstand enough to mount a bizarre counter-attack.
Arsenal’s players took an early lead and looked comfortable until PSG won a penalty.
Miles Lewis-Skelly had another great game. Fearless and amazing. His runs were threatening, his tackling tenacious and his decisiveness exceptional.
Despite PSG’s pressure and possession, they struggled to create chances. Nuno Mendes’ cross was half-cleared by Piero Hincapie and headed in by Fabian Ruiz. It was a decent half chance, but Arsenal almost kept them at arm’s length.
Arsenal gave little in return. Martin Odegaard once again got past Havertz and had another chance, but Marquinhos made a great block.
Referee Daniel Siebert was also on duty. Thinking that Arsenal were wasting time, they broke half-time while Bukayo Saka took a corner kick. Cristian Mosquera was then booked for taking too long to take a throw-in.
PSG kept pushing and eventually reaped the rewards. Kvaratscheria tricked his way into the box and Cristian Mosquera, who never made a mistake, made his first mistake. His clumsy challenge tipped the Georgia winger and it was a clear penalty.
Ousmane Dembele scored from the penalty spot to equalize for PSG in regulation time (Image: Getty Images)
Ousmane Dembele made no mistake from the penalty spot, sending Arsenal keeper Raya the wrong way and burying the ball into the bottom corner. Now it felt pretty creepy.
It was a war of attrition until extra time. Arsenal cried out for a penalty when Nuno Mendes tangled with substitute Noni Madueke. Referee Sievert put the appeal on hold and registered Declan Rice and Arteta in protest.
However, in the end neither side could win. It went as far as a penalty. And Arsenal missed the chance to make history in the most heartbreaking way.
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