Paris crowned European champion at Puskás Aréna in Budapest.
Feeling relieved after seeing it firsthand on the pitch: João Neves casually committed a foul throw-in in the Champions League final, haha!
So from now on, if invited to play football with youngsters and teased, one can say even world-class players do the same. (Actually, it's an old man's game, but Nong Joe can play comfortably like someone over 60.)
The coaches are both Spanish but have vastly different football styles, each showcasing their own strengths... Ultimately, it might be said that Paris Saint-Germain deserved to retain the trophy, reminiscent of Liverpool’s seventies era or Real Madrid’s golden age.
Arsenal might feel that substitute Noni Madueke deserved to earn a penalty from Nuno Mendes, reciprocating the assist from right-back Cristian Mosquera who cleared the way for the equalizing goal. They might also regret the few chances, like substitute Gabriel Martinelli not delivering a well-weighted pass to Noni Madueke, another substitute.
Perhaps, in the end, football itself was the true winner.
Arsenal’s defensive game plan lasted only 65 minutes until the latest Ballon d’Or winner, Ousmane Dembélé, coolly converted a penalty, making PSG appear to be the sole winner.
Throughout regular and extra time, Arsenal took an early lead in the sixth minute through Kai Havertz, who was lucky as a deflected ball fell to him, allowing him to charge into the penalty area. PSG goalkeeper Matvei Safonov stood close to the goal line and did not come out to block or narrow the angle — that was the only 'on-target' shot from the Premier League champions.
They escaped danger when Kvicha Kvaratskhelia’s shot hit the post. I must praise the 19-year-old, whom I initially doubted as a starter. If Miles Lewis-Skelly had defended well and blocked this attempt, it would have been a different story.
They also dodged trouble from a substitute who replaced Kvicha. Bradley Barguola, the second plan, made a great run past a tiring William Saliba and seemed certain to score but missed the target (that was at 90+7 minutes, so no extra time was needed).
To console Arsenal fans, it can be said that PSG was in better shape. Luis Enrique fielded his expected starting eighteen. Achraf Hakimi, who had been out for five weeks with a hamstring injury, played right-back, allowing us to see the familiar back four.
Moving up, Fabian Ruiz played alongside João Neves and Vitinho, a familiar combination recognized from last season.
In the forward line, Kvicha—often hailed as the standout in this Champions League, especially in knockout rounds—Ousmane Dembélé, and Desiree Dué, a formidable trio reminiscent of Liverpool’s Sadio Mané, Roberto Firmino, and Mo Salah, capable of shaking any opponent.
Early in the game, just over a minute in, a free kick was awarded near the halfway line and close to the sideline. Declan Rice quickly launched an attack throw. Near the final third, he also took a long throw-in.
They might have played an anti-football style, perhaps due to their stars having played more minutes this season than the defending champions. They had to press and chase defensively throughout, leading to gradual substitutions and a complete change of the three forwards.
Not counting Mosquera, who was replaced after conceding a costly penalty, the substitutions of captain Martin Ødegaard and Bukayo Saka in the second half left Arsenal with fewer options by the penalty shootout.
This was the first Champions League final since the 2015-16 season to require extra time and penalties. Despite being the underdog in open play, Arsenal managed to hold on and push the contest to a shootout, where skill alone was no longer decisive.
Hakimi energized the Parisian fans who arrived over two hours before the local 18:00 start time, cheering loudly again when PSG won the choice of penalty shootout side.
Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya was slow to react to the first penalty but held out as long as possible. Gonzalo Ramos, the first shooter for PSG, was precise and ruthless.
Raya’s notable save came against PSG’s third shooter, Nuno Mendes, a left-back much admired by fans. However, a single save wasn’t enough as Arsenal’s second shooter, Eberechi Eze, classic in style but prone to errors, delayed and then sent his shot wide. They also lost the crucial fifth penalty by Gabriel Magalhães, who had a solid game, especially in the first half.
The captain on the other side, Marquinhos, knowing the outcome, immediately ran to console Magalhães—no one really wants consolation.
It brings to mind John Terry, Chelsea’s captain, who nearly became a hero in Moscow but slipped on his last penalty, hitting the post, resulting in Chelsea’s defeat to Manchester United.
This was my first time in Budapest, Hungary. I liked many things here: the friendly people, cars slowing down to stop at pedestrian crossings even before people step on them, orderly queues for buses even near midnight, and the short subway ride from the city center shopping streets or the Danube riverside to Puskás Aréna.
But above all, this trip was about enjoying a very entertaining final match.
Perhaps that lone on-target shot by Arsenal, which was Kai Havertz’s goal, was what made this match so exciting.
Little Joe