Kai Havertz’s early goal dragged Arsenal close to European glory, but Champions League final margins turned brutal: Gabriel missed the decisive penalty as PSG defended their crown to win 4-3 on penalties in Budapest.
When Arsenal started the Champions League final on the front foot, it felt like the kind of breakthrough that could change history. Kai Havertz struck early to put the Gunners in control, and for long stretches the Premier League side looked almost impossible to prise open.
Then the match flipped on one decision. Cristhian Mosquera fouled Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and after a lengthy VAR check the penalty stood. Ousmane Dembele stepped up and converted without hesitation to drag PSG back level. From there, the night belonged to extra time—and then it belonged to the cruel arithmetic of a shootout.
In the end, PSG were once again champions of Europe. They won the final 4-3 on penalties in Budapest after Gabriel missed the decisive spot-kick. breaking Arsenal hearts in the moments that mattered most. The Puskas Arena held its breath. and Arsenal’s 140-year wait for a first European Cup ended not with celebration. but with devastation.
PSG rating: the man who made the pressure count was Vitinha
Matvey Safonov (6) was rooted to the spot rather than getting bigger when Havertz struck. and he was clattered in the first half. Achraf Hakimi (5.5) struggled to get going and committed fouls, even putting his arm around Havertz’s neck. Marquinhos (7) was unlucky when a clearance rebounded off Trossard into Havertz’s path for the opener. but he still made solid blocks and threw himself into the line of shots.
Willian Pacho (6.5) looked under pressure at times and made some panicked decisions, yet he hung in there when it mattered. Nuno Mendes (7.5) dictated much of PSG’s play from the left flank. repeatedly trying to get the ball forward and causing havoc as he inverted into midfield. Mendes also earned the penalty—but his spot kick was saved.
Fabian Ruiz (5) was rattled early and often forced it in the final third without success. Vitinha (8.5) was the heartbeat of the match for PSG, thriving on possession and making his time on the ball count. He even carved out a late chance at 89 minutes, striking just over the bar. Joao Neves (7.5) stayed composed in midfield and helped control the tempo alongside Vitinha.
Desire Doue (6) brought energy and dazzling runs late on. but the end product never quite arrived. leaving Arsenal able to survive PSG’s dominance in the final third. Ousmane Dembele (6.5) created half-chances but couldn’t get into real shooting positions in the first half; he did. however. expertly tuck away the penalty to equalise.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (7) won the penalty with a clever dart into the area. He was quiet in the first half as he shut out Arsenal’s threat, before growing into the match and striking the ball onto the goal frame later on.
And it was hard not to feel how much the result meant for Luis Enrique (8). He defended the Champions League—and, in doing so, became just the second manager ever to defend the trophy.
Arsenal ratings: Arteta’s faith paid off, but the decisive moment belonged to PSG
For Arsenal, the story began with control—then shifted toward nerves, and finally toward a single penalty that didn’t go in.
David Raya (6.5) was rarely called into action because of how Arsenal’s backline limited PSG. but he did play many long punts forward into the opposition’s half. a contrast to his usual short passing at the back. Cristian Mosquera (6) had worked well against opponents struggling to pass him. before making a silly challenge to concede a penalty while on a yellow card.
William Saliba (7.5) produced strong positioning and occasional breaks to break lines. and the familiarity of knowing many of PSG’s players from national team duties helped him. He was tired in extra time, but the effort was there. Gabriel (8) delivered a catalogue of well-timed tackles that repeatedly set Arsenal up—and he met adversity head on again in the biggest moment of the night. He just couldn’t finish it in the shootout, missing the decisive spot-kick.
Piero Hincapie (7.5) was aggressive and relentless in his challenges, never backing down in 50-50 duels. Martin Odegaard (4.5) was disappointing, not getting on the ball much at all. His captain didn’t have the support of a match script either: Arsenal were ceding possession and camped back. and Odegaard never got enough time to change the rhythm.
Declan Rice (6.5) covered a huge amount of ground and helped with defensive duties. showing the engine Arsenal needed in a game requiring constant tracking back. Myles Lewis-Skelly (7.5) stood out as a steady presence—picking over Eberechi Eze and Martin Zubimendi and showing why Mikel Arteta has such faith in him. He shielded the ball off opponents and made multiple recoveries late on.
Bukayo Saka (5.5) provided a good cross into the area on 26 minutes. but his day was shaped by defensive responsibilities as he tracked back to help out. Kai Havertz (7) was the catalyst. winning the final for Chelsea in 2021 and then giving Arsenal the lead here with a blistering strike into the roof of the net. He also wasted a great chance at the end of the first half.
Leandro Trossard (6) played his part in the opener as Marquinhos’ clearance rebounded off him and fell into Havertz’s path. Like Saka, his work was built around getting back into Arsenal’s own half.
Mikel Arteta (7) felt the weight of it. Arsenal were so close to winning a first European Cup in their 140-year history, and while it wasn’t their night, the effort was valiant.
Substitutes: PSG’s edge held firm while Arsenal tried to change momentum
Viktor Gyokeres (6), Jurriem Timber (6), and Noni Madueke (6.5) came on for PSG, along with Gabriel Martinelli (6), Martin Zubimendi (6.5), and Eberechi Eze (6) for Arsenal.
Referee: Daniel Siebert kept the game flowing despite a few flashpoints
Daniel Siebert (6) let the game flow overall, though there were one or two controversial moments. He waved away Madueke’s penalty shout.
In the end. Arsenal’s story felt built around faith and fine margins: Havertz’s start. Lewis-Skelly’s composure. Gabriel’s defending. But PSG’s equaliser stood after VAR. their penalty conversion proved clinical. and the final penalty belonged to the team with the last word at the Puskas Arena—leaving Arsenal to feel exactly how close the first European Cup can come. and how quickly it can disappear on penalties.
Champions League final PSG Arsenal penalties Gabriel Kai Havertz Ousmane Dembele Khvicha Kvaratskhelia VAR Budapest Puskas Arena