PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN 1-1 ARSENAL (4-3 on penalties): The Gunners came up short in their bid to make history in Budapest but deserved so much more than what they got
Arsenal players
Arsenal's heroes were beaten on penalties by PSG
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They still deserve to be remembered as heroes.
Ultimately, Arsenal came up short against the might of Paris Saint Germain as their Double dream ended in a tear-jerking defeat in the Puskas Arena. Mikel Arteta’s men gave absolutely everything but it finished after penalty heartbreak with Gunners defender Gabriel smashing his fifth and decisive spot kick over the bar.
Arsenal’s players looked crestfallen as they sank to their knees while PSG celebrated wildly in front of their fans as they became only the second team - after Real Madrid - to retain the Champions League trophy in the modern era.
Viktor Gyokeres, Declan Rice and Gabriel Martinelli scored while David Raya made a crucial save from Nuno Mandes after Eberechi Eze missed but it was Gabriel who smashed his over the bar.
Goncalo Ramos, Desire Doue, Achraf Hakimi and Lucas Beraldo scored as Arsenal’s wait for the European Cup goes on. It was heartbreaking and shocking for Arsenal as they just could not add the biggest prize of all to their title after such an incredible season.
Arsenal were given 16,800 tickets in the 67,000 capacity stadium and yet the sea of red and white and deafening noise made the Puskas Arena feel more like North London than Budapest.
The roar was sensational, inspiring and quickly got even louder. This was a true clash of the European heavyweights and Arsenal were first to rise to the occasion.
The Gunners tore into tackles, flew into challenges and were clearly determined to press high and not give PSG’s best players a moment’s peace.
That was the tale of the first goal. PSG captain Marquinhos tried to clear the ball, Leandro Trossard was on him quick as a flash to close him down.
The ball broke free for Havertz but the Arsenal striker still had a long way to go even though it allowed him to run free into the PSG box.
Arsenal suffered an agonising Champions League final defeat to PSG
Arsenal were beaten on penalties after Gabriel and Eberechi Eze failed to score
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Havertz was way over to the left, the Germany striker had very little to aim at and, while it was a brilliant finish smashed into the roof of the net, PSG keeper Matvéi Safónov should never have been beaten at his near post like that.
But never mind how it got there, it just did. Arsenal fans brought the house down with their noises and wild celebrations.
It feels like they have not stopped partying since winning the title and yet this might have been the loudest cheer of the lot. Six minutes in and Arsenal were in dreamland.
The problem is when you score early, it gives the opponent a lot of time to recover. Well, you didn’t think it would be easy, did you? Not against this lot.
PSG pinned Arsenal back. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia had a clear sight of the Arsenal goal but defender Gabriel made the best, most timely tackle you will ever see.
But there was a clear pattern emerging: Arsenal defending deep, PSG launching wave after wave of attack and it was just a case of whether Arteta’s men could hold out and launch the odd counter attack.
Arsenal players celebrate during the Champions League final vs PSG
Arsenal players took an early lead and looked comfortable before PSG won a penalty
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Myles Lewis-Skelly was having another terrific game. Fearless and brilliant. His runs were menacing, his tackling tenacious and his determination was off the charts.
For all of PSG’s pressure and possession, they were struggling to create chances. Nuno Mendes’ cross was half cleared by Piero Hincapie and then Fabian Ruiz headed over. That was a decent half chance but Arsenal were largely keeping them at arm’s length.
Arsenal offered little in return. Martin Odegaard slipped Havertz through again, it was opening up again but Marquinhos made a brilliant block.
Referee Daniel Siebert was also on a mission. He blew for half time because he thought Arsenal were time-wasting while Bukayo Saka lined up a corner. Then Cristhian Mosquera was booked for taking too long over a throw-in.
PSG kept pushing - and eventually got their reward. Kvaratskhelia tricked his way into the box and Cristhian Mosquera - who had not put a foot wrong - made his first misstep. His clumsy challenge upended the Georgia winger and it was a clear penalty.
Ousmane Dembele
Ousmane Dembele scored from the penalty spot to equalise for PSG in regulation time(Image: Getty Images)
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Ousmane Dembele made absolutely no mistake from the penalty spot as he sent Arsenal keeper Raya the wrong way and buried the ball into the bottom corner. Now it felt pretty ominous.
It turned into a war of attrition into extra time. Arsenal screamed for a penalty when Nuno Mendes tangled with substitute Noni Madueke. Ref Siebert saved away the appeals and then booked Declan Rice and Arteta for the protests.
But, ultimately, neither side could win it. It went all the way to penalties. And Arsenal missed the chance to write history in the most heartbreaking fashion.
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