Gary Lineker launched a foul-mouthed rant after Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Magalhaes missed penalties during Arsenal's Champions League final shootout defeat to Paris Saint-Germain
11:53, 01 Jun 2026
Gary Lineker
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Gary Lineker has unleashed a foul-mouthed rant
Gary Lineker has insisted "nobody would have uttered a f****** word" had Eberechi Eze scored his spot-kick during Arsenal's Champions League final shootout defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
After a 1-1 draw following extra-time, Arsenal's destiny in the showpiece Budapest final was settled via a penalty shootout. Despite David Raya producing a stunning save to deny Nuno Mendes' spot-kick, both Eze and Gabriel Magalhaes failed to convert from 12 yards as PSG triumphed 4-3 on penalties.
Eze subsequently faced scrutiny for employing a stutter run-up before sending his effort wide of the target. Gabriel then stepped up for Arsenal's fifth penalty but ballooned his attempt over the crossbar. Viktor Gyokeres, Declan Rice and Gabriel Martinelli were the Gunners' successful penalty takers.
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Responding to Eze and Gabriel's failures from the spot, Lineker appeared to leap to their defence, arguing that neither player would have faced any criticism had they scored.
Former Tottenham striker Lineker told the Rest Is Football: "Someone's always got to miss. I will say, as I always say - give them credit for being prepared to put themselves on the line under severe pressure.
"I see Eberechi Eze has got a bit of stick because of his stuttering [run-up] and he's missed a couple before like that. But I will also say that if he'd have scored, nobody would have uttered a f****** word.
Eberechi Eze of Arsenal
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Eberechi Eze of Arsenal(Image: Rico Brouwer/Soccrates/Getty Images)
"Some of the penalty takers Arsenal would probably want to take them - I can think immediately of Saka - were not on the pitch, so was [Gabriel] originally planned to be number five? Possibly not. Again, if he'd have scored, no-one would have... it's so easy after the event!"
Former Manchester City full-back Micah Richards presented an alternative perspective, suggesting Gabriel appeared anxious as he prepared to take his penalty and believes Noni Madueke ought to have been selected instead.
Madueke was amongst the five Arsenal outfield players available who didn't step up during the shootout, alongside Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Piero Hincapie.
Gabriel of Arsenal reacts after he misses the team's fifth penalty as Khvicha Kvaratskhelia of Paris Saint-Germain celebrates victory in the UEFA Champions League Final 2026 match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal FC at Puskas Arena on May 30, 2026 in Budapest, Hungary
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Gabriel Magalhaes missed the vital spot-kick(Image: 2026 Getty Images)
Richards said: "When Gabriel stepped up though... I don't want to say he looked nervous because you can probably say that about every player that stepped up. But I was wondering what technique he was going to use. So, when you're a defender and you're approaching a penalty - defenders' union and all that - we'd say just hit it as hard as you can. And when he was running up and taking it, he didn't look confident, you know?
"It was almost like he just wanted to get it over and done with. Can't remember who was sat next to me but they said 'Gabriel's going to hit this as hard as he possibly can and it's going to go over the bar.' It's exactly what happened as well, you just got the sense, the feeling.
"But like you said, fair play to him for stepping up. He wanted to lead by example. But I would have liked to see Madueke take one. You know, a technician. Like you say, it's easy to say after the event, but you've got the players who have better technique - they played in a forward position because they have better technique. Even if you're nervous, your probability is higher because of your technical level."
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The outcome prevented Arsenal from claiming their maiden Champions League trophy, though the Gunners still marked the occasion on Sunday with an open-top bus parade celebrating their Premier League title.
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