Champions League Final 2026: PSG Win Shootout vs Arsenal After Havertz Opener

Havertz celebrates goal

Arsenal led through Havertz but Dembele’s penalty forced extra time. PSG held their nerve to beat Arsenal 4-3 on penalties and make history as France’s first UCL back-to-back winners.

PSG down Arsenal on penalties to win second straight Champions League...

PSG made history as the first French club to defend their UEFA Champions League crown, beating Arsenal on penalties in Budapest. The shootout win ended Arsenal’s unbeaten UCL run this season and crushed their bid for a first ever European title.

This was the first Champions League final ever between a French and English team. Arsenal drew first blood early, and the Arsenal fans at the Puskas Arena erupted just six minutes in.

Marquinhos tried to clear but the ball deflected off Leandro Trossard and fell perfectly for Kai Havertz. The German raced down the left and chipped a tight-angle finish over the keeper for his second opening goal in a Champions League final.

Backed by a defense that had posted a joint-record nine UCL clean sheets this season, Arsenal aimed to hold on. Teams that score first have now won 12 straight Champions League finals, so they sat in and looked to protect the lead.

Arsenal largely kept PSG quiet before halftime. The tournament’s top scorers barely threatened, managing only two off-target shots from Fabián Ruiz and some half-hearted penalty appeals for a possible Bukayo Saka handball.

The second half started much the same, until the game flipped when Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was clipped by Cristhian Mosquera inside the box. Referee Daniel Siebert pointed to the spot immediately.

With flares going off behind the goal, reigning Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé stepped up and slotted the penalty low into the bottom-left corner. That made it 1-1 with 25 minutes left.

Kvaratskhelia then tried to win it before extra time, bursting away and forcing a shot that Myles Lewis-Skelly deflected onto the outside of the post. Even a chaotic last five minutes, including a Vitinha effort that rattled the roof of the net, couldn’t stop the game going to 30 more minutes.

The shootout turned when Eberechi Eze missed, his penalty sailing wide. David Raya then saved Lucas Mendes’ spot-kick to keep Arsenal alive.

After both sides scored their next penalties to make it 3-3, Lucas Beraldo converted for PSG. Gabriel Magalhães then sent his shot over the bar, handing PSG the trophy.

PSG went from shaky in the group stage to dominant in the knockouts, scoring a Champions League-record 45 goals. Luis Enrique also joined an elite group of managers to win the UCL three times.

For Arsenal, it’s more heartbreak in Europe. They’ve now lost five straight continental finals, and they’re still chasing their first Champions League title.