PSG wins thrilling shootout for back-to-back Champions League crowns

PSG's 2026 final was a much closer contest than the 5-0 victory over Inter last year. (Getty Images/Image Photo Agency)

Paris Saint-Germain has won a second straight Champions League crown, beating Arsenal 4-3 in a penalty shootout after scores were locked at 1-1.

The French club is the first men's team to retain the title since Real Madrid won a third straight final in 2018.

Manager Luis Enrique said this year's victory was more impressive than last year's 5-0 win over Inter Milan.

Paris Saint-Germain have held their nerve in a cagey Champions League final to retain the title by beating Arsenal 4-3 on penalties as the showdown ended 1-1 after extra time, cementing the French side's status among Europe's modern greats.

Arsenal defender Gabriel blasted his spot kick over Matvei ​Safonov's crossbar at the Puskas Arena, his miss confirming PSG as the first club to retain the men's trophy since Real Madrid completed their three-year reign from 2016 to 2018.

Long dismissed as glamorous underachievers despite vast resources, the Ligue 1 champions have now forged a dynasty under Luis Enrique, marrying attacking brilliance with resilience to establish themselves as the dominant force in European football.

"It's stronger than last year because ​we knew before the match just how difficult it ‌would be to play against Arsenal," Enrique said, comparing it to last year's 5-0 thumping of Inter Milan.

"As a club and a city, it's incredible to win, and I think we deserved it over the course of the season. The final was a real battle."

Eleven days after celebrating their first Premier League title in 22 years, Arsenal looked set for a maiden triumph on Europe's biggest ‌stage after Kai Havertz's sixth-minute opener and a first hour spent smothering PSG's vaunted attack.

But the final became chaotic once PSG's Ousmane Dembele equalised with a penalty ⁠in the 65th minute, the pace turning frantic before exhaustion took the match to a shootout.

Under Enrique, PSG have won the six shootouts they have contested.

After brushing aside Premier ​League opposition on their way to the final ‌by eliminating Chelsea and Liverpool, PSG were facing a much sterner test against an Arsenal team playing their second Champions League final after losing to Barcelona in 2006.

Mikel Arteta's side took the lead when Marquinhos's clearance bounced off Arsenal's Leandro Trossard into the path of Havertz, who raced into the box and fired into the roof of the net to become the fourth player to score in two different European Cup or Champions League finals with two different clubs.

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