Just one year after their initial triumph in Munich, Paris Saint-Germain has once again claimed the prestigious Champions League trophy, defeating Arsenal in Budapest this Saturday, May 30.

Edge-of-your-seat drama

The final match began with a challenging start for the Parisian side, as Arsenal found the back of the net just five minutes after kick-off, putting PSG behind early.

Trailing through the first half, the French champions fought back valiantly, with French Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé converting a crucial penalty in the 64th minute to level the score at 1-1.

Supporters from both camps endured an agonizing wait, as neither the full 90 minutes of regular play nor the subsequent 30 minutes of extra time could separate Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal. The tension culminated in a dramatic penalty shootout, where PSG ultimately secured their second consecutive ‘big-eared’ trophy.

A legendary achievement

The Parisian club has etched its name into football history, earning a second consecutive European star. This remarkable feat places them in an elite category, as only Real Madrid, under the guidance of Zinédine Zidane, had previously managed to win the Champions League back-to-back in the competition’s modern era, achieving an impressive three consecutive titles from 2016 to 2018.

Focus shifts to the World Cup

Following this 71st Champions League final, six French players will now transition their focus to international duty. Lucas Hernandez, Warren Zaïre-Emery, Désiré Doué, Bradley Barcola, and Ousmane Dembélé from Paris Saint-Germain, alongside William Saliba of Arsenal, are set to join the French national team at Clairefontaine. They will commence preparations for the upcoming World Cup, with a friendly match scheduled for Thursday, June 4, against Côte d’Ivoire at the Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes.