LAGOS MAY 30TH (NEWSRANGERS)-Paris Saint-Germain have retained the UEFA Champions League title for a second consecutive year following a 4-3 win over Arsenal on penalties after a 1-1 draw in regulation time at the Puskas Arena.
Arsenal’s Gabriel lost the all-important penalty as PSG became the most successful French club in UCL history with their second title.
Kai Havertz and Ousmane Dembele had scored for both Arsenal and PSG respectively, but nothing could separate them until the shootout where Arsenal blazed two kicks wide.
PSG also became the first side since Real Madrid in 2017 to successfully defend their title, grinding out the result that ensured Luis Enrique’s side extended their record against English clubs in the knockout round of the UCL to six matches.
A lucky break from a clearance sent Havertz through on goal and the UCL winner with Chelsea finished clinically from an acute angle, slamming his shot into the roof of the net to put the Gunners into a shock early lead.
A conservative Arsenal shut out PSG after the goal, with Fabian Ruiz heading wide, and Ousmane Dembele also blazing high and wide under pressure. Both sides traded chances later in the half but Arsenal went into the break ahead.
PSG restored parity on 65 minutes from the penalty spot, Dembele sending David Raya the wrong way after Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was brought down in the box.
The French League champions continued to dominate and saw Kvaratskhelia hit the post, David Raya denied Bradley Barcola by taking the ball at the winger’s feet, and Vitinha could only find the top of the net from the edge of the area. Arsenal however held on to force 30 minutes of extra-time, and penalty shout for foul on Noni Madueke was ignored by the referee and VAR, and Raya courageously blocked a cross to prevent Gonzalo Ramos from having an open goal to aim at.
The match went into penalty shootout where The match went into the lottery of penalties after both sides could not find the winner, where both Eberechi Eze and Gabriel blazed thei kicks wide to hand PSG the title a second time.
DailyTrust
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