Arsenal stunned PSG early in the Champions League final in Budapest through Kai Havertz, but rivals’ anger flared after two handball let-offs in the first half helped keep the breakthrough intact and then denied PSG a penalty later. Fans also questioned a red-
For a short stretch in Budapest, it looked like Champions League finals can still be decided by fine margins. Arsenal opened the scoring in the first half through Kai Havertz, selected ahead of Viktor Gyokeres, after PSG captain Marquinhos tried to clear the ball.
But by halftime, the noise wasn’t about the start—it was about what should have happened before it.
Arsenal’s lead came when Marquinhos kicked the ball straight at Leandro Trossard. The ball bounced off the forward and rolled into Havertz’s path, allowing him to run towards goal and fire in from a tight angle.
Replays, though, showed the ball cannoned off Trossard’s arm in the build-up. Even with that evidence visible in the match footage, the goal stood.
That sparked immediate fury from Arsenal’s rivals. One fan on X wrote: “Havertz goal should’ve been ruled out for handball by Trossard,” while another added: “Goal: Havertz. Assist: Both Trossard’s arms. What a joke.” A third questioned what they saw as the decisive nature of it: “Is that not a handball assist from Trossard?”.
The backlash intensified within minutes. The second flashpoint came when Bukayo Saka tried to clear a bouncing ball in his own penalty box. With the ball dipping, the England star went to volley it clear, but instead he kicked thin air. The ball bounced up and hit him in the hand.
PSG players appealed, but again the decision went against them, with no penalty awarded.
More supporters flooded social media with the same frustration, pointing to inconsistency in how handball is judged. One wrote: “I don’t know what the rules are on a game to game basis anymore in football. But in the Champions league this season from a consistency point of view – this has been called a penalty for handball.” Another simply posted: “Bukayo Saka is very lucky.”.
Criticism wasn’t limited to the handball calls. Commenters also wrestled with why VAR, as they saw it, appeared to stay quiet on the second incident. “It’s not even a question, he hits it TWICE,” one wrote. Others added: “It hit both his arms how can it not be. ” and “They will say that is his natural position. VAR is silent.”.
That simmering anger came with a larger context attached to it in the build-up to the evening. It had been revealed that Arsenal benefited the most from refereeing errors in the Premier League this season. with it shown that the Gunners should have conceded three penalties and been given three red cards. In total, seven refereeing mistakes were said to have gone in Arsenal’s favour.
Back in the studio at halftime, the calls didn’t go unnoticed. When asked on TNT Sports at half-time, Martin Keown said: “Nope. I think the referee has a fantastic view of it. We have seen penalties given in the Champions League for less than that this season. but it’s not in the spirit. He just throws his arm at it.” Steven Gerrard added: “Even from a bias Liverpool point of view. I don’t think that’s a pen.”.
The second-half brought its own controversy. PSG were awarded a penalty after Cristhian Mosquera tripped Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in the box. Ousmane Dembele scored from the spot.
Even then, fans couldn’t shake the feeling that the game should have been harder to manage for Arsenal. Several supporters said Mosquera should have been punished more severely after the foul. One wrote on X: “That should be a second yellow card for Mosquera. Arsenal are getting away with all sorts of things today.” Another posted: “Hahaha should be with 10 men but of course Mosquera gets away with blatant 2nd yellow.”.
Mosquera was substituted for Jurrien Timber immediately after the goal.
By the time the match swung deeper into its second half. the storyline had already split in two: PSG and their supporters felt they were denied clear decisions in the first half. while Arsenal’s opening breakthrough remained intact. The final result will be remembered for what it produced—but for many watching. the defining moments were the ones that never changed the scoreline the way they believed they should have.
Arsenal Paris Saint-Germain PSG Champions League final Budapest Kai Havertz Viktor Gyokeres Marquinhos Leandro Trossard Bukayo Saka Cristhian Mosquera Khvicha Kvaratskhelia Ousmane Dembele handball refereeing controversy TNT Sports