A new era of European dominance is upon us, and it’s all red and blue.
Paris Saint-Germain, for the second consecutive season, stands atop the continent after beating Arsenal 1-1 (4-3 in penalties) in the Champions League final on Saturday in Budapest.
Unable to break Arsenal’s staunch defence for most of the cup tie, PSG was clinical in penalties, with Lucas Beraldo converting the decisive attempt before Gabriel Magalhaes skied the must-make shot, making his side the first since Real Madrid’s dynastic threepeat in the late 2010s to repeat as European champions.
Though PSG dominated the possession for much of the game, winning the battle 75-25 through the full 120 minutes, Arsenal managed to stick to its style, holding firm at the back and retaining its 1-0 lead built by Kai Havertz in the sixth minute.
But a lapse in concentration in the 60th from Cristhian Mosquera and a heads-up play from clever winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia gave PSG an opportunity from the penalty spot, which reigning Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele calmly tucked away.
The reigning champs outshot Arsenal 21-7 through regulation and extra time, but none of that mattered once penalties rolled around, and Les Parisiens proved how clinical they can be from the spot with the game hanging in the balance to secure the win in penalties.
While PSG missed out on a second treble, unable to repeat as Coupe de France champions, the club walks away from the 2025-26 campaign with a double, having already won Ligue 1 and now the second European title in club history.