PSG's Marquinhos lifts the trophy celebrating after winning the Champions League final soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal in Budapest, Hungary, Saturday, May 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr Josek)PSG vs Arsenal, UEFA Champions League 2025-26 Final Highlights:Paris Saint Germain defended their Champions League crown and became only the second team after Real Madrid to retain the title, defeating Arsenal 4-3 on penalties in a whirlwind night of football.
Ahead of penalties, both teams were tied at 1-1 after Kia Havertz and Ousmane Dembele strikes in regulation time. Then came Extra Time and the two powerhouses couldn’t be separated then as well so the tie went to a penalty shootout.
It was a dramatic end to the match after Eberechi Eze and Gabriel missed the decisive spot kicks for Arsenal leading to the defending champions PSG ultimately winning their second Champions League title 4-3 on penalties.
FOLLOW LIVE SCORE AND UPDATES FROM PSG vs ARSENAL BELOW
AAAND WITH THAT MISS BY GABRIEL, PSG HAVE DONE THE UNTHINKABLE. They have retained the Champions League title, becoming the first team after Real Madrid to do it. Arsenal are heartbroken. And after a whirlwind night of football, it's ARS 1-1 PSG as the French club win 4-3 on penalties
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We are almost through and Arsenal with a late flurry as Victor Gyokeres gets a shooting chance and he puts the laces through it and it's deflected for a corner. Last chance. And the corner is dealt with. And we will go to penalties.
AET: ARS 1-1 PSG
We are into the last 5 mins of Extra Time and there's nothing to separate these two sides. Attack by PSG and they are content to just hover around the Arsenal penalty box. They are not even trying for a final ball here. And Neves finally gets a cross inand Doue has mishit it.
ARS 1-1 PSG
PSG with all the possession now trying to take advantage of the tired Arsenal legs. But they looked to be bereft of idea at the moment as the prospect of penalties comes nearer and nearer.
ARS 1-1 PSG
We are into the last 15 minutes of Extra Time and PSG get the ball rolling. And a chance now as the Barcola heads it into the Arsenal penalty box and the ball is swatted away by Raya before a PSG player can get to it.
ARS 1-1 PSG
And that's that. With boos raining in, the 1st half of Extra Time ends with the score still level. Both sides look to be totally out of it with their legs feeling heavy and minds numb. They still have 15 more minutes to go before the prospect of penalties looms.
Just 5 mins of the 1st half of extra Time left. And both teams are just hoofing the ball around. Madueke with a run now and has Mendes brought him down in the penalty box? Referee is not interested.
ARS 1-1 PSG
Both teams are looking pretty weary at the moment with tired tackles going in here and there. Ramos nicks the ball off a n arsenal player and is bundled onto the ground by Gyokeres. The Swede is booked and PSG have a free kick. Vitinha plays it in and it's a PSG throw off Zubimendi.
ARS 1-1 PSG
We are into Extra Time and Arsenal kick us off. 30 more minutes of action. And arsenal are away as Madueke tries a low cross but Pacho intercepts it. Corner for Arsenal. Madueke to take it. Swings in and that's defended for another corner. The next one is out after hitting the side netting.
ARS 1-1 PSG
And Barcola with a clear run on goal and he has gone into the Arsenal box but he can't find the target as he shoots wide!! That's the last action of the day and we'll now go to Extra Time.
ARS 1-1 PSG
PSG are trying to build something here as they keep the ball near the Arsenal box. Quick, snappy passing but a cross by Ruiz finds an Arsenal head. They try to break but Neves has stopped the counterattack on its tracks. Gets yellow.
ARS 1-1 PSG
We are into 6 added minutes now as the spectre of Extra Time and penalties hangs over this contest. But can these two teams find a winner in the minutes that remain of regular time?
ARS 1-1 PSG
Oh my, my!!! That was as close as PSG have gotten except that goal. Doue dances in from the right side and somehow gets the ball to Vitinha who is poised to take the shot. He slams it with his right foot aaaaannnnnd the ball goes just over!!
ARS 1-1 PSG
Over at Oslo's Deichman Bjørvika, the gigantic public library where the fifth round of Norway Chess is taking place right now, five-time world champion Magnus Carlsen had an unusual request.
He walked into the confessional booth in the middle of his game against Wesley So and said that he would really like to have one of the screens in the playing hall display the Champions League final.
A massive sports nut, Carlsen is a known Real Madrid fan. So technically he should have no horse in today's race at Budapest. But his thoughts were on the Champions League final.
"There are two sets of screens in the playing hall on the stage showing my games. Wesley (So) may have to agree to it, but personally I would have no problem with it if one of the screens showing our game was replaced with PSG against Arsenal," said Carlsen with 20 minutes left for the start of the Champions League final between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal.
Carlsen continued: "I polled a few people and I did not get any non-Arsenal fan that hopes that they win this match or anything in general."
Carlsen's visit to the confessional led to the TV2 broadcast commentators asking out aloud if Carlsen was focussed enough.
"Are you focused now, Magnus, or are you thinking about football? Magnus is very interested in football, but is that what you are thinking about now?" chess expert Maud Rødsmoen wondered.
Of course even if Wesley So had agreed to having the Champions League game shown on the screen in the playing hall, it would be tricky for the organisers to go ahead with this since games require pin-drop silence in the playing hall, which would be hard to ensure should a team score a goal. (Amit Kamath from Oslo)
Both teams have made subs now with PSG replacing Kvaratskhelia with Barcola while Arsenal have taken off Saka and Trossard for Madueke and Martinelli. Barcola almost made an instant impact with a strong run into the Arsenal box but Raya comes out for the save.
ARS 1-1 PSG
Timber tries to carry the ball into the PSG half but he's intercepted and Doue helps PSG get a corner. What can they do from here? Dembele with an inswinger and that's headed over by Pacho.
ARS 1-1 PSG
Skelly has lost the ball to Doue and the Frenchman is barrelling down on the Arsenal goal. But Skelly is on him like a leach and finally gets in between the man and ball and draws a foul.
ARS 1-1 PSG
Arsenal now get a free kick near the centre circle with Raya set to take. All the Arsenal defenders are up for it. Nothing off it but arsenal still have the ball. Rice almost gets the ball in a favourable area but here's Kvaratskhelia on the break. Defence into attack in a flash!! He hits the side of the goal though after a deflection.
ARS 1-1 PSG
PSG with all the ball possession now and Kvaratskhelia gives the ball to Vitinha who has a chance to shoot and that's just over. Arsenal with a counter attack but Havertz wastes a pass trying to find Saka.
ARS 1-1 PSG
Arsenal have to do it all over again. PSG, meanwhile, now have the taste of blood in the water and they pour forward to get a corner. It's wasted as Dembele boots it over everyone and out.
ARS 1-1 PSG
OH WELL WELL WELL!!! Kvaratskhelia is fouled inside the penalty box and the referee points to the spot!! Mosquera with a reckless challenge. A check is on going but it's not overturned. And Kvaratskhelia won't take the penalty and hands it over to Dembele. AAND THE BALLON D OR WINNER SCORES!!!! Sends Raya the wrong way and calmly puts it into the left side. PSG are back level
ARS 1-1 PSG
Raya with a goal kick now and it's straight into the possession of PSG who are knocking the ball around, trying to find a way through. There's a foul now and Saka is pretty lucky to not get a yellow card.
PSG 0-1 ARS
PSG have a free kick now in a dangerous position. Hakimi over it and he shoots but it's straight to David Raya. PSG haven't been clinical in attack at all this match
PSG 0-1 ARS
We are back for the second half and it's almost the copy and paste job like the first half with Arsenal being pegged back by PSG and trying to go for the counter-attack.
PSG 0-1 ARS
Ruiz steams in from the leff side and has absolutely lashed the ball at Raya who fumbles before collecting. Havertz with a throw in now and Pacho has cleared it. Arsenal have a corner. The stadium waits with bated breaths. But they are too late to take the corner and the referee blows for half time.
HT: PSG 0-1 ARS
Counterattack by Arsenal and Kai Havertz is in again!!! But this time he can't find the target as the goale gathers. Big moment in the match. Will Arsenal rue this miss?
PSG 0-1 ARS
6 mins of added time now and Arsenal will hope to keep the slender lead intact heading into half time. But PSG have the ball as Gabriel digs Arsenal out of a hole again with a tackle. PSG still come and Doue with a horrible shot that goes high and wide.
PSG 0-1 ARS
Finally a clear chance by PSG as Nunu Mendes bursts out from the left side and ventures into the Arsenal box. gets his cross in but Ruiz has headed it over. That's a clear warning sign for Arsenal from PSG here and it has taken more than 40 mins to artive.
PSG 0-1 ARS
And there's a coming together between Hakimi and Havertz as the Moroccon wants to keep the intensity high and the German wants to slow things down. Nothing too serious as we continue. PSG with the ball again. Hakimi with a misjudged touch and nothing comes off it. PSG look far from their free flowing ways tonight.
PSG 0-1 ARS
Arsenal have a set piece near the right hand side of the PSG box and Rice has lifted it in the box and that's way wide by Gabriel. And a counterattack by PSG is thwarted by.... you guessed it.. Gabriel. He is everywhere at the moment.
PSG 0-1 ARS
You have to think that PSG need some bit of luck and some individual brilliance to break down this Arsenal defence. They are too compact at the moment. PSG have a corner and they play it wide and a lob is played inside the arsenal box which is cleared.
PSG 0-1 ARS
PSG now with some tight passes near the Arsenal box. They race into the Arsenal penalty area and what a tackle by Gabriel to clear the danger. Dembele, meanwhile, is down on the ground throughout that attacking move. He's ok to continue though.
PSG 0-1 ARS
Arsenal getting a bit of possession now with back to back throws and Saka with a delicious cross which flies across the goal and the PSG keeper Safonov does well to shield it but he has been hit with a knee by his own captain. He is getting cecked out now by the medical staff
PSG 0-1 ARS
PSG are swarming at the edge of the Arsenal box but can't find a way through. Vitinha tries a through lob for Doue but that's gone out for a goal kick. Arsenal defence remains resolute.
PSG 0-1 ARS
Brilliant pass by Demebele to Kvaratskhelia who tries a back heel flick but to no avail as Arsenal can get possession again and play out from the back.
PSG 0-1 ARS
PSG get a corner now and a brilliant movement by Hakimi to get it. Outswing inside the box but Arsenal clear. the ball is in Parisan possession again before a mistake lets Arsenal through. but no harm done.
PSG 0-1 ARS
Another half chance for PSG as Ruiz is set free on the left hand side and he puts a cross/shot in and that's gone across the goal fairly harmlessly. PSG looking to grow into the game.
PSG 0-1 ARS
PSG hover around the Arsenal half now and are trying to find a way through as a compact Arsenal backline is making it hard for the French champions to find some space. Almost lands to Kvaratskhelia but Arsenal can clear. The corner is also put wide.
PSG 0-1 ARS
This is the second time Havertz has scored in a Champions League final for two different London clubs. He had scored for Chelsea against Manchester City in the 2010-21 season and now he has scored for Arsenal. If this will be the winner, only time will tell.
OHHHH MY WORD!!! WE ALREADY HAVE THE FIRST GOAL OF THE MATCH!! Arsenal press and a PSG clearance is closed down and Havertz gets the ball and he has left the PSG defenders in his wake and finishes it off with a thunderous strike at the near post!!
PSG 0-1 ARS
PSG are trying to play out of the back but wherever they go, they find an Arsenal player snapping at their heels. They do well to not lose possession though. Fabian Ruiz has clattered into Saka though as Arsenal get a free kick.
PSG 0-0 ARS
Arsenal kick us away with a PSG-style kick-off, booting it into the PSG half. They have a free kick now, half way across the centre line. Rice on it and it gets to Gabriel but it's harmless.
PSG 0-0 ARS
Here are the captains of both the teams, Marquinhos for PSG and Odegaard for Arsenal. The pleasantries and the handshakes are done and we are ready for live action. Let's go!!
We are just moments away from live action and Hungarian concert pianist Ádám György is playing the iconic UEFA Champions League theme as the players line up
2020-21 Chelsea (England)
2021-22 Real Madrid (Spain)
2022-23 Manchester City (England)
2023-24 Real Madrid (Spain)
2024-25 Paris Saint Germain (France)
2010-11 Barcelona (Spain)
2011-12 Chelsea (England)
2012-13 Bayern Munich (Germany)
2013-14 Real Madrid (Spain)
2014-15 Barcelona (Spain)
2015-16 Real Madrid (Spain)
2016-17 Real Madrid (Spain)
2017-18 Real Madrid (Spain)
2018-19 Liverpool (England)
2019-20 Bayern Munich (Germany)
2000-01 Bayern Munich (Germany)
2001-02 Real Madrid (Spain)
2002-03 AC Milan (Italy)
2003-04 Porto (Portugal)
2004-05 Liverpool (England)
2005-06 Barcelona (Spain)
2006-07 AC Milan (Italy)
2007-08 Manchester United (England)
2008-09 Barcelona (Spain)
2009-10 Inter Milan (Italy)
We are very near to live action as the closing ceremony is taking place at the Puskas Arena now as the Killers perform their greatest hits.
When Arsenal faces Paris Saint-Germain in Saturday's Champions League final, the rivalry will extend to the singing in the stands. Thousands of opposing fans will try drowning out their rivals' anthem with their own at Budapest's Puskas Arena stadium. Those from defending champion PSG will passionately bellow "Tous ensemble on chantera" (All together we will sing) invented by the club's Ultras fans. (AP)
1990-91 Red Star Belgrade (Yugoslavia)
1991-92 Barcelona (Spain)
1992-93 Marseille (France)
1993-94 AC Milan (Italy)
1994-95 Ajax (Netherlands)
1995-96 Juventus (Italy)
1996-97 Borussia Dortmund (Germany)
1997-98 Real Madrid (Spain)
1998-99 Manchester United (England)
1999-2000 Real Madrid (Spain)
1980-81 Liverpool (England)
1981-82 Aston Villa (England)
1982-83 Hamburger SV (West Germany)
1983-84 Liverpool (England)
1984-85 Juventus (Italy)
1985-86 Steaua Bucharest (Romania)
1986-87 Porto (Portugal)
1987-88 PSV Eindhoven (Netherlands)
1988-89 AC Milan (Italy)
1989-90 AC Milan (Italy)
As the Paris Saint-Germain players held aloft their maiden UEFA Champions League trophy, their manager Luis Enrique stood behind, a little aside from the direct glare of the camera, with his hands high and emotions surging through his glistening face. In retrospect, it ultimately turned out that it was him who was the missing piece of the PSG puzzle—not Kylian Mbappe, not Lionel Messi or Neymar.
This PSG team, bereft of any so-called big names, fully embraced the philosophy of Enrique since he took over. They were cool, confident and collected even as they faced a more experienced outfit in the final, a far cry from the jittery performances we have come to expect from the Parisians when the lights are on bright.
There was no overreliance on a particular individual as PSG played like a well-knit outfit and thrashed Inter 5-0 with Enrique calmly orchestrating a coup on this fateful night at Munich. Ousmane Dembele, Vitinha pulled the creative strings while Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Désiré Doué ran through the Italian team’s backline far too easily as the Nerazzurri were run ragged by the young Paris outfit. (READ MORE)
In recent times, PSG have taken apart every English side they have faced in knockout ties with the French champions ousting Chelsea and Liverpool in this year's round of 16 and quarterfinals respectively. Last year, they got the better of Liverpool, Aston Villa and arsenal in the Round of 16, quarterfinals and semifinals respectively.
1970-71 Ajax (Netherlands)
1971-72 Ajax (Netherlands)
1972-73 Ajax (Netherlands)
1973-74 Bayern Munich (West Germany)
1974-75 Bayern Munich (West Germany)
1975-76 Bayern Munich (West Germany)
1976-77 Liverpool (England)
1977-78 Liverpool (England)
1978-79 Nottingham Forest (England)
1979-80 Nottingham Forest (England)
Last year, PSG were in the Champions League final against Inter Milan. The Parisans were looking for a place in the European elites with their first UCL win and after the final whistle blew, they had pushed through and made a seat for themselves on Mount Olympus. The Italians were left broken with PSG absolutely routing them, winning their maiden title with a 5-0 scoreline. Achraf Hakimi opened the scoring, followed by a brace by Desire Doue and lone strikes from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Senny Mayulu.
1960-61 Benfica (Portugal)
1961-62 Benfica (Portugal)
1962-63 AC Milan (Italy)
1963-64 Inter Milan (Italy)
1964-65 Inter Milan (Italy)
1965-66 Real Madrid (Spain)
1966-67 Celtic (Scotland)
1967-68 Manchester United (England)
1968-69 AC Milan (Italy)
1969-70 Feyenoord (Netherlands)
1955-56 Real Madrid (Spain)
1956-57 Real Madrid (Spain)
1957-58 Real Madrid (Spain)
1958-59 Real Madrid (Spain)
1959-60 Real Madrid (Spain)
You could hear the chuckles in the newspaper headlines. As a reaction to their 8-2 humiliation by Manchester United, Arsenal had gone on a desperate trolley dash to buy any footballer available. One of the five players Arsene Wenger signed on transfer deadline day in 2011 almost did not make it. Paperwork delays meant there was no time for a medical. Arsenal were ready to give up on the signing.
The player rang the club himself. Forget the medical, he said. If something goes wrong, hold me responsible. Trust me.
Football clubs are not in the trust business, especially when they are about to spend millions on a footballer. Arsenal agreed anyway. That is how Mikel Arteta arrived at the club as a player. Fifteen years later, in a different role, he dragged them to their first Premier League title in 22 years. The theme connecting those two moments – separated by a career, a retirement, an apprenticeship under Pep Guardiola, and six increasingly agonising seasons in the dugout – is the same one he offered on day one. Trust. (READ MORE)
Apples and geniuses share an eternal bond. Issac Newton is said to have discovered the phenomenon of gravity by watching apples fall in an orchard. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia found the solution to an age-old inconvenience with the help of apples in his orchard. The ground, a converted farmland, he played during summers in his ancestral home in Tsalenjikha, Georgia, had an iron gate with sharp edges, resembling the head of a spear, on one side. His father, competent enough to play in Azerbaijan’s top league, warned him of the edges that had torn numerous footballs in his childhood. His son glanced around the ground, plucked a few apples and stuck those into the protruding spikes. (READ MORE)
PSG: Chevalier, Marin, Lucas Beraldo, Zabarnyi, Goncalo Ramos, Lee, Zaire-Emery, Hernandez, Mayulu, Dro Fernandez, Barcola, Mbaye
ARS: Arrizabalaga, Jesus, Eze, Madueke, Martinelli, Timber, Gyokeres, Norgaard, Merino, Calafiori, Zubimendi, Dowman.
Paris Saint-Germain (4-3-3): Safonov; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Nuno Mendes; Fabian Ruiz, Vitinha, Joao Neves; Doue, Dembele, Kvaratskhelia.
Arsenal (4-3-3): Raya; Mosquera, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Odegaard, Rice, Lewis-Skelly; Saka, Havertz, Trossard.
When the final whistle blew at the Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth, the hosts pegging Manchester City to a 1-1 draw, North London erupted. Arsenal were champions — after a wait of 22 years. Long not only in its length, but in its pain. The endless cycles of near misses burned like an open wound. Happy tidings of a dynasty loomed when they raised the trophy in 2004, the season they went without dropping a game. (READ MORE)
The Puskas Arena has been named after the legendary Hungary and Real Madrid player Ferenc Puskas who won three European Cups with Real Madrid. It's a 67,000 seater arena and has hosted the Europa League final as well as a match of Euro 2020 as well as a UEFA Super Cup match. But this is the first time it's hosting a Champions League final.
PSG’s fifth Ligue 1 title on the trot puts them a class apart, the gulf between them and the rest big enough for manager Luis Enrique to rest key players but still win silverware.
For example, Ligue 1’s player of the year, forward Ousmane Dembele, played just 11 matches, while Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka featured in 25 games. Saka was on the field for 2,226 minutes while Dembele played for just 1,063 minutes. Dembele had started just nine league matches when he was adjudged the best in the season.
PSG’s Warren Zaïre-Emery played 27 matches, the most for the side. But seven of Arsenal’s likely starting XI for the final have played more matches than him with Martín Zubimendi (34) and Declan Rice (35) topping the chart. Overall, Arsenal’s likely starting 11 has accumulated 10,343 more minutes than PSG’s. (READ MORE)
League Stage
PSG 4-0 Atalanta
Barcelona 1-2 PSG
Bayer Leverkusen 2-7 PSG
PSG 1-2 Bayern Munich
PSG 5-3 Tottenham Hotspur
Athletic Bilbao 0-0 PSG
Sporting CP 2-1 PSG
PSG 1-1 Newcastle United
Knockout Playoff Stage
AS Monaco 2-3 PSG
PSG 2-2 AS Monaco
Round of 16
PSG 5-2 Chelsea
Chelsea 0-3 PSG
Quarterfinals
PSG 2-0 Liverpool
Liverpool 0-2 PSG
Semifinals
PSG 5-4 Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich 1-1 PSG
League Stage
Athletic Bilbao 0-2 Arsenal
Arsenal 2-0 Olympiakos
Arsenal 4-0 Atletico Madrid
Sparta Praha 0-3 Arsenal
Arsenal 3-1 Bayern Munich
Club Brugge 0-3 Arsenal
Inter Milan 1-3 Arsenal
Arsenal 3-2 Kairat Almaty
Round of 16
Bayer Leverkusen 1-1 Arsenal
Arsenal 2-0 Bayer Leverkusen
Quarterfinals
Sporting CP 0-1 Arsenal
Arsenal 0-0 Sporting CP
Semifinals
Atletico Madrid 1-1 Arsenal
Arsenal 1-0 Atletico Madrid
The last time these two football powerhouses met was last season in the semifinal where PSG defeated Arsenal 3-1 on aggregate, winning the first leg away 0-1 and then the second leg at home 2-1.
In a welcome relief to people watching in India, the UEFA Champions League final is being played at a comfortable time for them i.e. 9.30 PM IST instead of the regular slot of 12.30 AM. “The decision is designed to enhance the overall matchday experience for fans, teams and host cities by optimising logistics and operations, while delivering several tangible benefits. Our goal is to make matchday a truly enjoyable experience for everyone who wants to be part of the excitement, while creating a welcoming atmosphere that makes it easy for families and children to attend the biggest and most important club football match of the season,” UEFA said last August.
The decision as UEFA explains has been taken while keeping the travelling fans in mind, it also indirectly benefits the Asian continent as well, where there is a huge following for the club football’s biggest tournament. “The new kick-off time also aligns with a more accessible broadcasting window, helping the final reach an even broader television and digital audience worldwide, with a particular focus on engaging younger viewers,” the UEFA said in a statement.
Matches played: 5
ARS wins: 1
PSG wins: 2
Draws: 2
PSG: LWWDDW
ARS: WWWWWD
PSG: Safonov; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Willian Pacho, Nuno Mendes; Zaïre-Emery, Vitinha, João Neves; Doué, Dembélé, Kvaratskhelia
ARS: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Lewis-Skelly, Ødegaard; Saka, Gyökeres, Trossard
After a grueling season of football, we are at last at the business end of Europe's elite competition, the UEFA Champions League. With just defending champions PSG and Arsenal the last sides who remain standing, history beckons. PSG will look to become the only side after Real Madrid to win the title in back to back seasons while Arsenal will be hoping to get their first taste of the golden chalice. We have a mouthwatering contest for you tonight. Sit back and enjoy.
When Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) play Arsenal in the Champions League final in Budapest on Saturday, the defending champions will have fresher legs on the field at the Puskás Aréna because of less game time during the domestic campaign compared to their challengers.
PSG’s fifth Ligue 1 title on the trot puts them a class apart, the gulf between them and the rest big enough for manager Luis Enrique to rest key players but still win silverware.
