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Brilliant PSG tear Inter Milan apart in historic Champions League final display

Someone wins the Champions League every year, but very few conquer European football like Paris St-Germain did in Munich this evening – with the kind of performance that can define an era and tells you that the game is changing again.

No one could live with this football, played by PSG at a speed and an intensity that felt new – least of all the 2025 Inter Milan, who had improbably battled their way this far. Luis Enrique has built the Qatari state PSG project into something remarkable – the Barcelona template of the previous two decades rebooted as something even faster and even harder to play against. PSG pursued Inter right up until the Romanian referee blew for the end with a merciful zero minutes of added time.

There were some astonishing personal performances – starting with the teenager, Désiré Doué, who scored twice. In midfield Vitinha ran the show with an obsessive attention to detail that Inter could not begin to challenge. The pace of PSG’s attacking was outrageous, Kvicha Kvaratskhelia eventually bounding through to finish for fourth. Yet the truth was PSG should have scored more and for Ousmane Dembélé and then the substitute Bradley Barcola there were the chances to do so.

European Cup finals – any final – are not supposed to be this one-sided. When the substitute Senny Mayulu buried the fifth, PSG broke the record for the greatest margin of victory in a final of the European Cup or Champions League. Only Real Madrid in 1960 scored more, with those seven against Eintracht Frankfurt at Hampden Park. None have scored five in a final since Benfica did two years after Hampden. It was not as if Inter came here in the mood to be reckless. They would gladly have defended for their lives and bored everyone to tears but they never had the chance.

PSG ransacked Inter in the first 20 minutes, when an Inter old boy Achraf Hakimi scored after 12 minutes. By the time Doué had a second soon after, Inter sensed they had a major problem and much of the game after that was Simone Inzaghi’s team trying to stay in it. They did not help themselves with some small errors that had major consequences, but even a second-half tantrum from the Inter manager felt superfluous. They were placed in PSG’s path to be knocked over, and knocked over they were.

It means that Qatar, and the state sovereign wealth fund that owns PSG, has finally broken through the last barrier to the sport’s elite after 14 years. For many, the Qatari money is something they will not be able to see past, yet by the same token people do love to watch great football teams – and this is a great football team. It has been built out of the ashes of all those misadventures with indulged superstars to metamorphose into the best side in Europe for some time. Perhaps even a template for what football will look like in the next decade.

The PSG players put on their shoulders Nasser Al-Khelaifi, the Qatari president of their club, one of the two most powerful men in European football, in the trophy presentations. Then they lifted up their manager Enrique, while in the stands the PSG fans unfurled a banner in memory of the great loss of Enrique’s life, his daughter Xana who died aged nine in 2019. The PSG manager wore a T-shirt in memory of her joining him on the pitch at his last Champions League triumph with Barcelona in 2015.

Enrique joins an elite group, now numbering seven, who have won the Champions League with more than a single club, and one senses this team can win more. Not since the Ajax team that were victorious in 1995 has the Champions League been won by a side so young, and this was in the season that followed PSG breaking its Kylian Mbappé dependency. To get here, they eliminated three Premier League clubs in the knockout stages, having also beaten Manchester City in January. From defeat to Bayern in the same stadium in late November so the PSG season has been paced to reach this perfect peak.

Now for the FIFA Club World Cup, for which they must be favourites if they are to take it seriously, although nothing will feel quite as monumental as the end to years of falling short in the Champions League.

They were a joy to watch. On 12 minutes Fabián Ruiz found Vitinha, who got the first of two pre-assists with a ball into Doué. By this point Inter had run out of defenders and when Doué rolled the ball across goal, Hakimi was on his own to score. For the second PSG goal, Nicolo Barella was trying to protect the ball as it rolled out for an Inter corner but did not count on the intervention of Willian Pacho. That kind of determination to win the duels characterised PSG’s night.

From there, PSG had one thing on their mind – from Kvaratskhelia to Dembélé to Doué on the right wing with his left foot for the second goal. At that point Inter sensed humiliation and although that was to come, they managed at least to delay it. All night they would have just two attempts on target on PSG’s goal and the best of those, from Marcus Thuram, prompted a fine save from Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Inzaghi would be booked in the second half protesting a foul on the substitute Yann Bisseck, who lasted only 10 minutes until injury forced him off again. Inzaghi was trying to cajole his team into something that was beyond them and so the end was coming. Dembélé’s role of the studs over the ball created the pass for Vitinha to run through and assist Doué’s second and PSG’s third – and then it was a case of how many. Kvaratskhelia ran on goal and finished with his left for the fourth. Mayulu got the fifth after Enrique’s triple substitution.

Another 10 minutes and one sensed PSG could have matched the seven that Real scored in Scotland 65 years earlier. They might even have been due 10 minutes more given the time eaten up by substitutions and celebrations. Barcola and Dembélé both looked in disbelief at chances that were missed, and suddenly out of nowhere it was over. The first French club champions of Europe since Marseille in 1993 were to be crowned and it is unlikely we have heard the last of this team in this competition.

11:09 PM BST

That’s all for tonight

Another European club season comes to a close, and PSG have confirmed their status as the team to beat in next year’s Champions League. And perhaps the one after that. And the one after that.

11:02 PM BST

Kvaratskhelia speaking

It is crazy, a dream come true. I cannot describe it, crazy emotions. I am so proud that I am Georgian they are happy in my country. All of the team, I am just happy that I am one of them. I really wanted to come here and it was the right choice.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia of Paris Saint Germain celebrates victory

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia became the first Georgian to score in the Champions League final - Getty Images/Robbie Jay Barratt

10:45 PM BST

Not a good night for Kylian Mbappe

He left the team who never win the Champions League, joined the team who always win the Champions League, and watched on as they changed places. A good night for Bill Simmons, who helped popularise the ‘Ewing Theory’ which states that a team often improves for the loss of a star player.

I suspect we quickly forget all the times when the contrary is the case. Still, something for Manchester United and Bruno Fernandes to chew on.

10:42 PM BST

Enrique matches his former team-mate

10:34 PM BST

PSG’s youth movement

A graphic has been shown on TNT of the five youngest scorers in the Champions League final. Desire Doue and Senny Mayulu are two of them. For any keen quizzers out there, Patrick Kluivert remains the youngest with Ajax.

10:30 PM BST

Some of the crowd are on the pitch

It has all got a bit out of control on the pitch as PSG celebrate winning the Champions League. Thousands of PSG fans have spilled out from the stands with several of them now trying to pull down the goal into which their team scored three of their goals. It is all a bit reminiscent of Scotland vs England at Wembley in 1977. The fans are ignoring tannoy announcements to return to their seats but are slowly being pushed back by a line of riot police and stewards.

PSG fans on the pitch

PSG fans on the pitch - Jason Burt

10:24 PM BST

PSG celebrate with the trophy

Paris Saint-Germain's Brazilian defender Marquinhos

Marquinhos lifts the trophy - Getty Images/Kirill Kudryavtsev

Paris Saint-Germain's Spanish head coach Luis Enrique

Luis Enrique lifts the trophy for the second time - Getty Images/Marco Bertorello

10:20 PM BST

PSG fans’ tribute to Xana

When Luis Enrique’s Barcelona won the Champions League in 2015 his daughter Xana, who died of cancer four years later aged nine, planted a flag in the middle of the pitch with her father. PSG fans have just unfurled a banner recreating that moment in her honour in the club’s colours.

Luis Enrique banner

PSG fans banner in honour of Luis Enrique’s late daughter - TNT Sports

10:14 PM BST

The Super Cup is set

A nice way for Spurs to ease into the new campaign in August.

10:10 PM BST

Luis Enrique gets bounced in their air by his players

Luis Enrique, Head Coach of Paris Saint-Germain, is thrown into the air

10:08 PM BST

Thr trophy lift

PSG captain Marquinhos is the last player up to collect his medal and the trophy, which he rubs as he walks slowly towards his team-mated. And for the first time, PSG have lifted the trophy with big ears.

10:07 PM BST

PSG’s players are going up to get their medals

Nasser Al-Khelaifi is on the podium to congratulate all the players.

10:06 PM BST

Vitinha speaking on TNT

This means everything. It’s my dream, it’s our dream. It’s incredible.

10:00 PM BST

The PSG celebrations begin

“I’m 45 years of age and I have never seen a performance like that. Challenge that,” says Steven Gerrard on TNT Sports.

Paris Saint-Germain and Internazionale Milano

PSG’s players celebrate - Shutterstock/Filip Singer

Paris St Germain coach Luis Enrique celebrates their fifth goal scored by Senny Mayul

Luis Enrique celebrates their fifth goal - Reuters/Kai Pfaffenbach

Luis Enrique and staff celebrate winning

Luis Enrique with his staff after the game - Shutterstock/Anna Szilagyi

09:54 PM BST

What a performance

09:53 PM BST

PSG win the Champions League! FT: PSG 5 Inter 0

PSG are European Cup winners for the first time in their history. Once again a final in Munich produces a first-time winner.

But the performance will be remembered as much the achievement. This was one of the most ruthless, comprehensive and harmonious team displays in the history of Champions League finals.

The first time a team has scored five in the final since 1962.

09:50 PM BST

90 minutes: PSG 4 Inter 0

We are in the last minute of normal time. PSG are playing keepball, but an error lets Inter escape through Thuram and Hakimi is booked for dragging down Darmian.

09:47 PM BST

GOOOAALLLL! 18-year-old Mayulu scores number five

The PSG academy graduate is beaming from ear to ear; he cannot believe he has just scored in the Champions League final. Too easy for PSG again to pick passes in the box, Acerbi to deep. Barcola found the youngster and he blasted beyond Sommer from a tight angle. The whole PSG bench run to celebrate with Mayulu.

09:44 PM BST

84 minutes: PSG 4 Inter 0

PSG can now afford some changes of their own: Zaire-Emery on for Neves, Ramos on for Kvaratskhelia and Mayulu on for Fabian Ruiz. PSG’s players will be starting to think about the post-match party already.

09:42 PM BST

81 minutes: PSG 4 Inter 0

Zalewski with a shot from distance, straight at Donnarruma after Dembele gave the ball away. There have been a couple of last-ditch Inter challenges to stop PSG being clean through.

But then Barcola dances into the box, chopping to put Acerbi on his backside, but rather than rolling the ball into the far corner he tried to mug Sommer and dragged the ball wide of the far post.

Kvaratskhelia has been everywhere when PSG are out of possession.

09:39 PM BST

79 minutes: PSG 4 Inter 0

Lucas Hernandez is on for Nuno Mendes. I think it is fair to say Nuno Mendes will be the left-back in the Champions League team of the season. There are not too many outstanding left-backs around; he is top of the class.

09:36 PM BST

76 minutes: PSG 4 Inter 0

Donnarumma makes a sharp save from Thuram to keep his clean sheet. That is the first save of not the PSG goalkeeper has made and then moments later he catches a corner with ease.

09:34 PM BST

GOOOAAALL! Kvaratskhelia makes it a rout

Mendes looked like losing possession in his own half, but he wriggled out of pressure to find Dembele completely free. The forward got his head up to release Kvaratskhelia in behind, and the Inter defenders do not have the legs to cap him. The PSG winger makes himself the first Georgian to score in the Champions League final but passing the ball into the near corner with his left foot.

09:32 PM BST

72 minutes: PSG 3 Inter 0

An Inter switch to the left is cut out, and there is so much space for PSG to turn and pass into space. That sums up Inter’s night; they have been so poor on and off the ball.

09:31 PM BST

69 minutes: PSG 3 Inter 0

Marcus Thuram now shown a booking for a late challenge on Fabian Ruiz.

PSG then should have had their fourth. Barcola showing his speed to race in behind Darmian, and Mendes went close to backheeling the low cross beyond Sommer. The follow-up cross then found its way to Barcola at the back post, but he smashed his shot over from a tight angle.

09:27 PM BST

67 minutes: PSG 3 Inter 0

Doue’s work is done; Bradley Barcola has replaced the 19-year-old who has scored twice and provided an assist in a Champions League final. The PSG fans are in full voice now, they can see the finish line in a competition that has been their obsession.

09:25 PM BST

GOOOAAALLL! Doue surely seals it for PSG

What a team goal this is, it encapsulated everything PSG have been about in the Champions League this season.

Dembele with a backheel into the path of Vitinha after dragging Inter defenders out of position. Vitinha’s well-weighted pass was into the stride of Desire Doue who kept his composure to find the bottom corner beyond the helpless Sommer.

Doue is shown a yellow card for taking his shirt off in celebration, but he will not care.

09:23 PM BST

62 minutes: PSG 2 Inter 0

Another Inter double sub: Carlos Augusto and Matteo Darmian have replaced Bisseck and Mkhitaryan. Bisseck looks to have pulled his hamstring just minutes after coming on, he is distraught as he walks around the edge of the pitch.

09:21 PM BST

60 minutes: PSG 2 Inter 0

Donnarumma claims a cross, and Bisseck stays down to receive some treatment. Moments earlier, Kvaratskhelia was back snapping into a tackle in his own half.

Doue then spins and backheels the ball forward in one movement on the halfway line to set PSG, away but Hakimi’s low cross is deflected behind.

PSG will be very frustrated this is not all over by now. Kvicha Kvaratskhelia has missed four chances – not easy ones but chances nevertheless – and Inter Milan are slowly playing their way back into this final. It is a cliché but it really feels like the next goal, if there is one, is so crucial. PSG score and it is over. If Inter do then it is game on.

09:19 PM BST

58 minutes: PSG 2 Inter 0

Simone Inzaghi has been booked for his over-zealous remonstrations on the touchline, before Barella sends a silly shot over from long range. Inter need to keep trying to work positions rather than lose patience.

09:16 PM BST

56 minutes: PSG 2 Inter 0

Zalewski into the thick of the action straight away, fashioning space for a shot only for Joao Neves to produce a magnificent block and then the Inter sub is booked for a late challenge.

09:15 PM BST

54 minutes: PSG 2 Inter 0

Double sub from Inter: Dimarco and Pavard off, Bisseck and Zalewski on. Dimarco has had a ‘mare and Pavard is just returning from an injury.

Donnarumma unconvincingly flaps away two set-pieces into the box, but Barella’s shot is blocked. No question that is the weakness in the PSG goalkeeper’s game.

09:11 PM BST

51 minutes: PSG 2 Inter 0

Good chance for Kvaratskhelia after Ruiz’s cross was only partially dealt with by Acerbi, but he was always leaning back and scooped his shot over the bar. If PSG get the next goal, it is surely game over. We have just had the anniversary of Istanbul 2005, but at least Liverpool have themselves the entire second half to recover from 3-0 down.

Dembele then bends a shot wide of the far post after more tireless closing down.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia of Paris Saint-Germain shoots under pressure

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia shoots over - Getty Images/Carl Recine

09:09 PM BST

49 minutes: PSG 2 Inter 0

A moment of worry in the PSG defence. Hakimi wanted to head the ball back to his goalkeeper but could only head behind for a corner. Inswinger delivered from the left and there are loud appeals for a handball penalty, but the ball hit Marquinhos in the thigh.

09:08 PM BST

47 minutes: PSG 2 Inter 0

Thuram has been Inter’s best player by a distance, and Pacho chops him down close to the right touchline. Great position for Inter to delivery with quality, but Calhanoglu’s cross was dreadful. Overhit by miles.

09:06 PM BST

We are back under way

No changes from Enrique or Inzaghi. Within a minute, Kvaratskhelia drills a shot over the bar from a tight angle.

09:03 PM BST

It is all kicking off in Paris

PSG fans are watching the game on big games at the Parc des Princes.

PSG fans watching, through the smog, in Paris

PSG fans watching, through the smog, in Paris - Getty Images/Thibaud Morit

09:00 PM BST

One star among many

08:58 PM BST

Dembele a constant threat

If there was one image from the first-half that summed up PSG’s brilliant performance it was not from the goals – as fantastically constructed as they were – or Vitinha’s relentless control of the midfield. No, it was Ousmane Dembele leaning forward on the edge of the Inter Milane penalty area like a sprinter ready to burst out of the blocks. Watch him do it in the second-half as Inter prepare to take goal-kicks. The intensity and energy and desire to press is stunning. This is football for the new age.

08:57 PM BST

David Beckham and Tom Cruise commentating

David Beckham and Tom Cruise commentate on the Champions League Final

08:53 PM BST

Sam’s half-time verdict

Mostly a PSG masterclass. There is lots we can and will say about PSG’s excellence. If there is a criticism, they should be going in 4-0 up rather than 2-0. This final should be over.

08:51 PM BST

HT: PSG 2 Inter 0

PSG are cruising after one of the most consummate team performances you will see in a Champions League final; the best since Barcelona at Wembley in 2011? They smothered Inter early and monopolised possession, picking their way through with Vitinha finding Doue who squared for Hakimi. Then they struck on the break with Dimarco, who played Doue onside for the opener, turning his back on the winger’s shot. Thuram has been a sporadic threat but Inter are in Hail Mary territory.

Desire Doue of Paris Saint-Germain celebrates scoring his team's second goal

PSG are 45 minutes away from their first Champions League - Getty Images/Alex Pantling

08:49 PM BST

45 minutes: PSG 2 Inter 0

Doue with a lovely piece of skill before shooting wide, before a Kvaratskhelia shot deflects behind for a corner. We are at the end of the two minutes of stoppage time that were shown put PSG have a corner. Header glanced over by Kvaratskhelia.

08:47 PM BST

44 minutes: PSG 2 Inter 0

That could, and perhaps should, have been game over! Fabian Ruiz flipped a pass over the top to Doue on the left, who teased a brilliant cross across the face of goal with his left foot. Dembele was there at the back post and looked sure to side-foot the ball past Sommer but the ball bounced off the post.

08:44 PM BST

42 minutes: PSG 2 Inter 0

Just like against Arsenal at the Emirates, Dembele is rolling into midfield. In a recent move he was in a left No 8 position with Fabian Ruiz standing at centre-forward. Inter’s defenders do not want to track Dembele into open water, and it so hard for them to pick up midfield runs from deep.

08:42 PM BST

40 minutes: PSG 2 Inter 0

PSG guilty of their first moments of sloppiness, giving the ball away on a couple of occasions in their own half but Inter fail to punish them. Barella was first to a loose ball in the box but his touch was heavy. Pach is then in the right place at the right time in the PSG box.

It has been a nightmare so far Inter Milan even if their fans are still firmly behind them. The only comfort for them is they are only 2-0 down. Plus they do look a threat – as we expected - from set-pieces. If they go in at half-time with this 2-0 scoreline they will have done well. As for PSG: their football has been sublime.

08:39 PM BST

37 minutes: PSG 2 Inter 0

Excellent defending from Pacho again on the stretch, screening the front post to prevent Calhanoglu’s cross from finding Thuram.

Thuram the younger then misses Inter’s best chance so far. Had a clear sight of the delivery and rose highest at the back post but he headed wide. Inter need those moments to go for them now.

08:37 PM BST

35 minutes: PSG 2 Inter 0

Dembele’s shot deflected behind for a corner but Inter cleared their lines. Then the Italians pieced together a better attacking move with Mkhitaryan finding Dimarco, but Pacho was keeping tabs on Thuram in the middle.

From the throw-in, Mendes picks out his opposite full-back Hakimi with a glorious, volleyed switch. And just like that, PSG are out.

08:34 PM BST

32 minutes: PSG 2 Inter 0

Pavard raided down the right into a good crossing position, but could not pick out a yellow shirt. PSG are working so hard when they do not have the ball and they quickly restore order, keeping the ball and bringing down the temperature of the game.

Paris St Germain's Vitinha and Willian Pacho in action with Inter Milan's Lautaro Martine

Vitinha pulls the strings for PSG in midfield - Reuters/Peter Cziborra

08:30 PM BST

28 minutes: PSG 2 Inter 0

That sums up Dimarco’s night so far. Hakimi lost the ball in a dangerous spot but sprinted back to catch Dimarco and the ball bounced off the Inter man and behind for a goal kick. In any case, he was offside. Inter are going direct but PSG are dealing with the long balls well and mopping up.

08:27 PM BST

PSG supreme so far

Is it already game over in this Champions League final? Inter Milan simply cannot cope with PSG’s energy, passing and attacking ability. Again they have been carved apart and it is now 2-0 with Desire Doue’s shot taking a heavy deflection off Federico Dimarco. That can happen. What is less easily explainable is why the defender, with his hands behind trying to make sure he did not handball the effort, turned his back on the ball.

Desire Doue of Paris Saint-Germain scores his team's second goal

Desire Doue scores PSG’s second - Getty Images/Alex Pantling

08:25 PM BST

23 minutes: PSG 2 Inter 0

Inter frantically searching for a swift response, but Acerbi heads over from a corner. This is like a horrible anxiety dream for Inter fans at the moment, the sort of one you have two nights before the game before being relieved to see the date when you wake up.

08:23 PM BST

GOOOAAALLL! Doue’s deflected shot puts PSG in control

At one end, Inter thought they were getting a corner but Pacho hooked the ball away to keep it in play.

Dembele was away down the left with yellow shirts training to get back, and PSG’s main man spread a right-footed pass to Doue who is free on the far side.

Doue takes a touch to steady himself, and his strike deflects off Dimarco and beyond Sommer. Dimarco turned his back.

Desire Doue of PSG (R) scores the 0-2 goal next to Federico Dimarco

Desire Doue’s deflected shot flew past Yann Sommer - Shutterstock/Fiip Singer

08:21 PM BST

20 minutes: PSG 1 Inter 0

Aston Villa and Arsenal tested PSG with long throws and not Inter are chancing their arm.

PSG clear though, are they are streaking away on the counter attack.

08:19 PM BST

18 minutes: PSG 1 Inter 0

PSG are running all over Inter at the moment. Even when Sommer attracted Dembele and passed around him to create a spare man, Dimarco clumped a long ball forward straight to a PSG shirt. Inzaghi furious on the touchline.

08:18 PM BST

A questionable non-celebration

Vitinha breaks the lines with the pre-assist, but then he could hardly miss with the gate that wide open. Inter unzipped by a PSG team that has started at a fierce pace. From Vitinha to Doue to Hakimi for the first goal - and the classic apology-celebration in front of the fans of his former club. Showing some #respect to the game’s conventions. No-one would have minded if he had let rip. It’s a final.

Achraf Hakimi of Paris Saint-Germain holds his hands up

Hakimi refuses to celebrate against his former club - Getty Images/Justin Setterfield

08:17 PM BST

15 minutes: PSG 1 Inter 0

It would be tempting to say that is Inter’s gameplan out of the window, but it is still early in the final. Were I an Inter fan, 1-0 at 70 minutes would be satisfactory because this could easily run away from them. They can create chances against PSG; whether they get past Donnarumma is another question.

08:14 PM BST

GOOOOALLL! Hakimi gives PSG a well-earned lead

No celebrations from the former Inter player despite the fact it is a Champions League player. Vintinha whipped a cute pass into Doue inside the box, with Dimarco too deep and playing the forward onside, and the young Frenchman squared for Hakimi to score a simple tap in. Hakimi now has goals in the quarters, semis and the final of this season’s Champions League.

08:12 PM BST

11 minutes: PSG 0 Inter 0

Inter worked the ball into a more promising position there with Lautaro finding Dumfries, but Barella’s cross was aimless. Inter have quite been able to string anything together so far.

Dembele then shoots straight at Sommer after a menacing dart inside from the right. He found himself between Dimarco and Bastoni, which can be a weakness of the back five against a 4-3-3.

08:10 PM BST

9 minutes: PSG 0 Inter 0

Inter commit to using Sommer as the extra player to play through the PSG press, but the French side are all over them at the moment. Inter struggling to get out, and at the moment it is long passing sequence after long passing sequence for PSG. They have settled as well as you could wish in a final. Doue tries a speculative shot from distance which is saved easily by Sommer.

PSG are popping the ball around beautifully. But Inter have misplaced a few passes in the opening stages which has put them under pressure. Inter will look to go long to Marcus Thuram when they can and then work off him.

08:09 PM BST

7 minutes: PSG 0 Inter 0

Bastoni not happy; he feels he was just too strong for Doue but the referee blows for a foul. Free-kick in a crossing position wide right for PSG which Vitinha will take. Wicked delivery across the face of goal, but no PSG player could make contact. They keep it alive and stand up another cross into the box but Marquinhos could not get enough on his header.

08:06 PM BST

5 minutes: PSG 0 Inter 0

PSG stroking the ball around, but Mkhitaryan does well to intercept and carry the ball through midfield and win a foul from Marquinhos. Inter then found Lautaro Martinez in a pocket of space centrally but he misplaced his pass. Went left when he could have spread play to Dumfries right.

08:04 PM BST

3 minutes: PSG 0 Inter 0

The French team have looked the sharper in the opening exchanges, with Mendes winning a duel with Thuram and Hakimi in sharply shortly afterwards. Promising attack involving Doue down the right but Inter clear his low cross. Sommer then looks to clip a diagonal left but the goalkeeper puts it straight out for a throw.

08:01 PM BST

KICK OFF!

PSG get the game started, and the kick the ball straight out for a throw deep in the Inter half. Like kicking for territory in rugby.

The classic Uefa Champions League final tarpaulin/pitch wrap removal, race against time. Once the Champions League anthem finishes, the ground crew have less than 60 seconds to get the tarpaulin off the pitch while the players shake hands, take their trackie tops off and pose for the team XI on-pitch pics. The crew have to do it in sections which they unzip at a sprint. They’ve done it. Another year ticked off.

07:59 PM BST

The players are out

The preliminaries are over, over to the players and both sets of fans who have been trying their best to drive the atmosphere for last half hour at least.

Inter are playing in their yellow third kit, or light gold if you prefer. A shame not to see them in the famous blue and black stripes but unavoidable with the navy in the PSG strip.

For all the talent on show it feels this might come down to which goalkeeper comes out on top. Gianluigi Donnarumma has been outstanding for Paris St-Germain in their run to the final but so has Inter Milan’s Yann Sommer. And to think Inter signed the Swiss international – albeit now 36 - for just six million euros after selling Andre Onana to Manchester United… for €50 million.

07:57 PM BST

Fiddler on the pitch

The violinist David Garrett has followed Linkin Park as the on-pitch musical entertainment and seems to be more of a crowd pleaser than Linkin Park, with his version of Seven Nation Army on his fiddle.

David Garrett performs

David Garrett performs - Reuters/Kai Pfaffenbach

07:54 PM BST

Linkin Park have done their bit

Quite how the American Nu metal band relate to the Champions League, Paris, Milan, Munich or good taste remains unclear.

US band Linkin Park perform before the UEFA Champions League final

US band Linkin Park perform - Shutterstock/Friedemann Vogel

07:50 PM BST

Arsène Wenger at the Allianz

The former Arsenal manager is working for Qatari broadcaster Bein Sports.

“We have seen many goals in the semi-finals, but let’s not forget in the last five finals - four times it’s finished 1-0!” he told Carrie Brown on their coverage before the game.

Arsene Wenger before the game

Arsene Wenger before the game - Getty Images/Michael Regan

07:48 PM BST

Linkin Park the headline act of the pre-match show

Pepsi have paid a fortune for its Uefa platinum-level commercial partnership so they are damn well going to make you sit through this Pepsi-sponsored Linkin Park opening ceremony that Pepsi has also paid for. Pitch covered (what happens to all that single-use tarpaulin?) and stage constructed. Dancers on. This won’t take long.

07:47 PM BST

The increasing clout of CBS

The CBS takeover of European football continues to gather apace. The American broadcaster appears to have a huge presence at this Champions League Final and as the atmosphere builds the big screens have shown pundits Jamie Carragher (Telegraph Sport’s own), Micah Richards and Thierry Henry orchestrating the crowd. There is certainly a lot of enthusiasm and energy to their brand of coverage.

07:45 PM BST

Ousmane Dembele PSG’s talisman

When people say this PSG team have no superstars it is intended as a compliment, but Dembele’s 33 goals and 11 assists across all competitions put him at the very top of the European game. Against Arsenal in the first leg of the semi-final he played a roving role, dropping into midfield with Joao Neves breaking forward into the centre-forward position. That tactic could be reprised this evening, leaving Inter’s three centre-backs with nobody to mark.

Paris St Germain's Ousmane Dembele during the warm up before the matc

Ousmane Dembele finds his range - Reuters/Stephanie Lecocq

07:39 PM BST

PSG captain Marquinhos vocal in the warm up

Marquinhos gives orders to his PSG team-mates

Marquinhos gives orders to his PSG team-mates - Getty Images/Anadolu

07:38 PM BST

Marko Arnautovic to prove the unlikely super sub?

Remarkable to see 36-year-old Marko Arnautovic out there among the substitutes for Inter. He’s played 28 games for them this season, mainly as a substitute, and scored some important goals. He is still banging them in for Austria too: 38 goals, second only to Toni Polster in the all-time list. No Austria international, though, has more than Arnautovic’s 123 caps for the national team. Could he do something tonight as an impact substitute? It is an incredible swansong to a pro career that started in April 2007 and took in a move to Shanghai SIPG after the China boom years. Just looked at his first Premier League start for Stoke City in September 2013 against an Arsenal team that featured Mikel Arteta - on as a sub - and Per Mertesacker.

Marko Arnautovic before the game

Inter Milan sub and former Stoke City and West Ham playe Marko Arnautovic - Getty Images/Alex Pantling

07:35 PM BST

A tactical look at the game

Nuno Mendes and Achraf Hakimi are key attacking outlets for PSG, and full-backs usually find plenty of time and space when a 4-3-3 attacks a 5-3-2. The wing-backs tend to be pinned by the wingers, leaving the full-back free unless one of the midfielders collapses wide.

Inter’s midfield three of Barella, Calhanoglu and Mkhitaryan may find themselves doing doggies across the pitch, but Inzaghi’s system is also flexible. His team are happy flipping into a back four in certain in-game situations, so it could be that Dimarco and Dumfries confront the PSG full-backs directly with the remaining defenders sliding across. The brilliant Alessandro Bastoni is happy in zones we would associate with an orthodox left-back.

07:23 PM BST

Inzaghi to win the big one and say arrivederci?

There is a growing expectation that this might be the last game in charge for Inter Milan’s head coach Simone Inzaghi who – like PSG’s Luis Enrique – is one of the most entertaining and animated on the touchline.

Rather like Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes, the 49-year-old Italian is wanted by Saudi Pro-League club Al-Hilal and the talk around agents during the day in Munich is he is very tempted to accept their extremely lucrative offer in time to take them to the Club World Cup in the United States.

That is despite Inzaghi, on the eve of this final, claiming “I’m happy at this club (Inter), so I have everything I need to do well and achieve great things.” So let’s see what happens.

It is another sign of the ambition of the SPL – and the money available – that they can potentially tempt away a coach who has taken a giant like Inter to the Champions League final.

Simone Inzaghi before the Champions League

Simone Inzaghi could consider his future after tonight’s game - Getty Images/Alex Pantling

07:16 PM BST

Qatar’s branding stamped across the final

In a sense this Champions League Final is a bit of a win-win for the Qataris. Of course, they want Paris St-Germain to win because of their ownership of the club… but Inter Milan have just run out to warm up wearing their training kit. It is sponsored by Qatar Airways – who will also have their name on the PSG shirts when the game begins. The airline has spent €5 million (£4.2 million) a season for the right to be on the shirts worn by the Inter players as they prepare.

Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez warms up

Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez warms up - Getty Images/Kirill Kudryavtsev

07:12 PM BST

Ground nearly full already

As you can see from these photographs the fans of Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan have taken their seats earlier for this Champions League Final. There is Inter to the right and PSG to the right and already both sets of supporters are in full voice. The 75,000 capacity is almost full which is quite impressive given how challenging it has been to get here on public transport. Except, that is, for one huge section in the middle…. No guesses for who takes those seats. Yes, they are where all the corporates will be housed.

Inter Milan fans filling up their end at the Allianz Arena

PSG fans have also arrived in numbers

06:56 PM BST

PSG team news: Doué preferred to Barcola

PSG starting XI: Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Joao Neves, Vitinha, Fabián Ruiz; Doué, Dembélé, Kvaratskhelia

Subs: Safonov, Tenas, Kimpembe, Goncalo Ramos, Lee, Hernandez, Mayulu, Barcola, Zaire Emery, Lucas Beraldo, Mbaye

06:53 PM BST

Inter team news: Benjamin Pavard fit to start in defence

06:52 PM BST

Zanetti among the legends in attendance

Javier Zanetti, the last Inter captain to lift the Champions League, has been on the pitch waving to the fans. He is 51 and the club’s vice-president but looks like he could still be dominating the right-flank of a big game at San Siro. Inter’s other name on that list is Armando Picchi, from the team that won back-to-back European Cups in 1964 and 1965. Picchi died of cancer in 1971, aged just 35, soon after he had been appointed Juventus manager.

Former Inter Milan player Javier Zanetti

Former Inter Milan captain Javier Zanetti - AP/Luca Bruno

06:47 PM BST

Roy Hodgson pitchside

Hodgson managed Inter between 1995 and 1997, departing after a Uefa Cup final defeat by underdogs Schalke. He returned Inter in 1999 for a short spell as caretaker manager.

Roy Hodgson

Roy Hodgson at the Allianz Arena - Getty Images/Carl Recine

06:42 PM BST

PSG chose a more secluded place to stay

For Paris St-Germain it really is a case of to Infinity and beyond (to steal Buzz Lightyear’s catchphrase). The French champions have been staying at the Infinity Hotel to the north, just outside the city and 15 minutes from the airport but easily accessible for the Allianz Arena. The four-star hotel is certainly out of the way - which felt like a good decision given how packed Munich has been on a blistering hotel day. By contrast Inter Milan are in the (five-star) Andaz which is far more central and claims to be the most luxurious hotel in the city.

Paris St-Germain fans react inside the stadium before the match

PSG fans ramp up the atmosphere - Reuters/Stephanie Lecocq

06:36 PM BST

Now Inter have arrived

Also plumping the casual, sportswear look. Temperatures have touches 29 degrees celsius in Munich today which perhaps informs the sartorial choices. Inter’s staff and delegation do have suits on though, so Italy’s reputation for elegance remains in intact.

Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale arrives at the stadium

Lautaro Martinez arrives - Getty Images/Alex Pantling

06:33 PM BST

Speaking of PSG...

Their team coach has just arrived at the Allianz. Their players are wearing white T-shirts emblazoned with a blue motif of the Eiffel Tower. A more casual look than the Christian Dior suits they have worn before home games in the Champions League this season.

PSG right-back Achraf Hakimi

PSG right-back Achraf Hakimi - Getty Images/Carl Recine

06:31 PM BST

Quite the sequence of results

Is this an omen for Paris St-Germain? This is the fifth European Cup final to be held in Munich and all four previous occasions it has been won by a team that has never won it before. Firstly Nottingham Forest in 1979 (who beat Malmo in the old Olympiastadion) then Marseille – the only French club to win it so far – who defeated AC Milan at the same stadium in 1993. In 1997, Borussia Dortmund triumphed over Juventus and, finally, there was of course Chelsea’s victory over Bayern Munich in their own stadium in 2012. Can PSG keep that sequence going?

06:27 PM BST

There is Big Ears

The Champions League trophy at the Allianz Arena

Inter and PSG’s ribbons on the Champions League - Getty Images/Odd Andersen

06:25 PM BST

Inter legend Esteban Cambiasso pitchside

He was a winner in 2010, and it would be remiss if we failed to mention his role in keeping Leicester City in the Premier League in 2014-15.

Former Argentinian-Italian football player Esteban Cambiasso

Former Argentina international Esteban Cambiasso - Getty Images/Kirill Kudryavtsev

06:20 PM BST

An ardous journey to the Allianz

Miserable journey for the fans on our U6 U-Bahn train to Fröttmaning, in the north-east of the city where the Allianz Arena is situated. After the fight between Inter and PSG fans at the Universitat station, and the police pepper-spraying Italian fans, the driver finally closed the doors and raced through most of the stations non-stop with a very full train. Inside the stadium it is filling up 1hr 45mins before kick-off and it feels very warm indeed.

Paris St Germain fans inside the stadium

PSG fans in their seats at the Allianz Arena - Reuters/Stephanie Lecocq

06:18 PM BST

The only Englishman to win Champions League with Inter Milan

Ben Greenhalgh’s sporting career is an unusual one. At 17, he won an Inter Milan contract in a TV talent show; later became a professional golfer; and was also a body double for Cristiano Ronaldo and Mesut Özil. Greenlagh was pitchside with his Under-18s team-mates for Inter’s win over Bayern Munich in the 2010 final, and was given a spare winners’ medal.

Sam Wallace tells his story here.

06:04 PM BST

More clashes between fans

Credit: TNT Sports

06:04 PM BST

Six reasons to support PSG

Not only have PSG looked a more cohesive and compact team this season, they are also more likeable (on the pitch). Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Désiré Doué dexterous wingers who keep the ball stuck to their laces, but they also track back. They are cavalier in an era of control. Luis Enrique’s story, having lost his nine-year-old daughter Xana to cancer in 2019, is also moving.

Jason Burt makes the case for supporting the French club.

05:53 PM BST

Rio Ferdinand says goodbye to TNT Sports

If you can bring yourself to click on the video, a camera has followed Ferdinand walking from the hotel foyer to his taxi before his final appearance on TNT Sports. In the film direction stakes, it is not quite Henry Hill walking through the kitchens of the Copacabana in Goodfellas.

You can also read about the reasons for Ferdinand’s departure here.

05:42 PM BST

A statement from Munich police

Due to an emergency braking at the Universität subway station, delays occurred on lines U3 and U6. Due to the Champions League final and high passenger volume, we are supporting the MVG (Munich transport authority) in taking the necessary measures.

In connection with this incident, physical altercations occurred at the Universität subway station, including the use of pepper spray. An investigation into the circumstances is ongoing.

There are also delays on the U6 subway line in the Fröttmaning area. People are on the tracks there.

These incidents are causing delays to the Allianz Arena.

05:34 PM BST

Some of the fan skirmishes on the trains

Credit: X / Paris By Match

05:31 PM BST

PSG fans injured

According to L’Equipe, PSG supporters have been injured by Inter fans on the Munich U-Bahn.

05:22 PM BST

Inter fans out in force back home

Inter Milan fans back home in Italy

Inter fans at the entrance to the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II - Getty Images/Stefano Relladini

Inter Milan fans watching at home

Inter Milan fans gather at the Piazza del Duomo - Getty Images/Stefano Rellandini

05:15 PM BST

Police intervene to keep Inter and PSG fans apart

05:13 PM BST

Trains disrupted on way to Allianz Arena

According to Bild, trains on U-Bahn U6 line were halted for a while after police used tear gas on a train at the University stop and the emergency lever was pulled. Trains are now running again.

Bild also say that Inter fans have been throwing stones at the Fröttmaning U-Bahn station, which is the stop at which you alight for the Allianz.

05:04 PM BST

A novel Champions League final

The Champions League can feel a little repetitive with the same wealthy clubs playing year in year out, but this final sees Paris St-Germain and Inter Milan play their first competitive game.

PSG are trying to win the tournament for the first time after multiple attempts and painful near-misses since they were fully acquired by Qatar Sports Investments in 2012.

Having slain Premier League opponents Liverpool, Aston Villa and Arsenal on their way to Munich, there is strong consensus that Luis Enrique’s team have been the best team in the competition.

Victory this evening would see PSG win a Treble too, but it is all about getting across the line in a tournament that has tormented them.

Inter’s domestic season has to be classed as a disappointment having lost out on the Serie A title by a point to Napoli. They were also beaten by AC Milan in the semi-finals of the Italian Cup.

They came out on the right side of one of the Champions League’s greatest semi-finals against Barcelona and are looking to atone for losing the final to Manchester City two years ago. Inter have won two European Cups, the most recent of which was under Jose Mourinho in 2010.

04:44 PM BST

Inter fans pepper sprayed by police at station

A skirmish between Munich police and Inter Milan fans broke out on the platform of the Universitat subway station in the city around 5.20pm local time.

Munich’s U6 line is struggling to deal with the volume of fans travelling from the city out to the Allianz Arena. Supporters of both clubs are getting frustrated at being unable to board trains. We have just witnessed half a dozen police officers in riot helmets with batons chase Italian fans up the escalators at Universitat.

Those fans came back ten minutes later, some of them with metal bars, at least one of which was thrown at the police. They responded with pepper spray. The train is stuck in the station and packed with fans.

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