Arsenal was minutes away from Champions League history. Then PSG struck back

Luis Enrique’s PSG survived another penalty shootout. Misses from Eberechi Eze and Gabriel proved costly for Arsenal. David Raya saved Nuno Mendes’ attempt, but it wasn’t enough. PSG extended its dominance in Europe with a second consecutive Champions League crown, while Arsenal, admirable in defeat, was left empty-handed once again, just as it was 20 years ago.

PSG once again emerged as Champions League winners after a brutal shootout. Penalties have repeatedly fallen their way this season. They won the UEFA Super Cup against Tottenham, the Intercontinental Cup against Flamengo and the French Super Cup against Marseille, all from the spot. Four shootouts, four victories. Luck helps, but preparation matters, and Luis Enrique’s side has become lethal from 12 yards.

Luis Enrique is now firmly established as a PSG legend. Eternal glory awaits the Spanish coach in Paris. Under the Asturian, the club that spent years dreaming of joining Europe’s elite has become virtually indestructible. PSG retained the Champions League title and tightened its grip on European soccer. Right now, there may be no better team in the world.

After delivering a historic first Champions League title in 2025, Luis Enrique followed it with another. It was the third Champions League triumph of his coaching career, placing him among the game’s all-time great managers. And he did it in his own style, only now his team looks even more complete, more overwhelming and more dominant. Just when it seemed impossible for PSG to improve, it somehow did.

The Spaniard’s masterpiece defeated Mikel Arteta in a fascinating coaching duel. Arsenal came agonizingly close to history but, as in 2006, was left heartbroken. Gabriel’s miss launched the Gunners’ hopes into the skies above Budapest. Arsenal finished the tournament undefeated and spent only 43 minutes trailing throughout the entire competition. An incredible statistic, but one that will ultimately mean little. Soccer can be cruel, especially to Arsenal. The wait for a first Champions League title goes on.

For Luis Enrique, the Champs-Élysées are wide open. Paris belongs to him.

Arsenal strikes first

Despite expectations, Arsenal struck first. A poor clearance from Marquinhos ricocheted off Leandro Trossard and fell kindly for Kai Havertz, who burst into space behind Achraf Hakimi. The German had so much time he was able to pick his spot before blasting a finish beyond Matvei Safonov at the near post.

The strike exploded through London and Budapest alike and immediately altered the complexion of the final. It was only the sixth minute.

Havertz, a player who always seems to appear in major finals, delivered again, just as he did for Chelsea against Manchester City in 2021. Arsenal started aggressively and looked determined to show PSG this final would be nothing like the comfortable victory over Inter the previous year. The pressure was relentless and forced mistake after mistake from the French side.

For long stretches, the roles seemed reversed. Arsenal looked like the reigning champion while PSG appeared nervous and uncertain. Luis Enrique’s players were tense and lacking their usual fluidity.

PSG had to work its way back into the match. From the moment Arsenal took the lead, Luis Enrique realized the tools that had dismantled Bayern Munich in the semifinals would not be enough against Arteta’s team. Arsenal prevented PSG from playing in transition, and that was a huge part of its success.

The defensive solidity of the English side was extraordinary. Gabriel and William Saliba produced a superb first half. Mosquera and Piero Hincapié repeatedly doubled up against Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Désiré Doué. Raya was largely a spectator before the break.

Dembélé levels from the spot

PSG improved late in the first half. Luis Enrique wanted control; Arsenal wanted exactly the opposite. The fewer incidents there were in the match, the happier the English side seemed to be.

At times, Arsenal’s brand of soccer took over. Not boring, but disciplined, combative and tireless. Years of work under Arteta were paying off. That was why Lewis-Skelly started, bringing fresh legs, while Martín Zubimendi had to wait on the bench.

The game developed exactly as expected between two clearly defined soccer philosophies. Both teams used similar shapes, but their interpretation of the game could hardly have been more different. PSG wanted to run and attack. Arsenal wanted control and structure. The final lived up to expectations.

But PSG remains dangerous even on nights when it is not at its best. Little by little, Luis Enrique’s side imposed itself and eventually found an equalizer.

One of the few times Kvaratskhelia escaped Mosquera, the Arsenal defender clipped the Georgian inside the box. Referee Daniel Siebert immediately pointed to the spot. Ousmane Dembélé stepped up and beat Raya with ease.

The goal transformed the match. Arsenal suddenly looked shaken. Arteta tried to change the momentum by introducing Viktor Gyökeres, but withdrawing Martin Ødegaard left his team without its usual rhythm.

PSG grew in confidence and began to find more space. Kvaratskhelia came close, only for Lewis-Skelly and the post to deny him. Bradley Barcola then seemed certain to score before Raya produced a magnificent intervention. Vitinha missed by inches, and later Barcola raced clear only to find the side netting.

PSG kept wasting chances. Arsenal kept surviving.

Fatigue eventually became a major factor. With the season nearing its end, the World Cup approaching and both teams terrified of making a decisive mistake, extra time became increasingly cautious.

Champions League final ends in a shoot out

Penalties felt inevitable.

And once there, PSG showed the composure of champions. The French side held its nerve while Arsenal seemed burdened by 139 years of waiting for European glory.

PSG now joins the select group of clubs to have won back-to-back European Cups, alongside Real Madrid, Benfica, Inter Milan, Ajax, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Nottingham Forest and AC Milan. In the modern Champions League era, only Zidane’s Real Madrid had previously managed the feat.

Luis Enrique’s PSG deserves to be remembered in the same breath. Powerful in both penalty areas, dominant in possession, devastating in transition and lethal in open space, PSG finally broke Arsenal’s resistance at the Puskás Aréna.

Luis Enrique seems to have the Midas touch.

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