The 2024/25 season officially came to an end over the weekend as PSG lifted the Champions League trophy.
PSG have become the kings of Europe for the first time in their history, but things very nearly didn’t go this way.
Indeed, while PSG eventually breezed through the competition and won the final 5-0, they were only one kick of the ball away from being in serious trouble at one point.
Liverpool put PSG to the sword in the Round of 16, and ultimately, this game went to penalties.
Darwin Nunez and Curtis Jones missed decisive spot kicks against PSG, and those penalty misses now look much more frustrating.
Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
Darwin Nunez penalty miss becomes even more frustrating
Nunez received plenty of flak after his penalty miss against PSG, and, in hindsight, that spot-kick failure looks even worse.
Indeed, while it’s not such a simple science to say that Liverpool would’ve replicated PSG’s run and won the Champions League had they got through here, but they’d have been heavy favourites if they had won.
PSG’s route to the Champions League final
Quarter-finals Aston Villa
Semi-finals Arsenal
Final Inter
PSG had to get past Aston Villa, Arsenal and Inter Milan after their penalty shootout win against Liverpool, and it’s fair to suggest the Reds would’ve replicated that run.
Liverpool took four points from Aston Villa in the Premier League this season, while the Reds would’ve been favourites against an injury-hit Arsenal team in the semi-finals too.
Liverpool raced into a 2-0 lead against Arsenal a few weeks ago before taking their foot off the gas, showing what Arne Slot’s side can do against the Gunners.
Meanwhile, Inter Milan simply didn’t turn up for the final, and a similar result could’ve been on the cards if Liverpool were playing in Munich on Saturday.
What’s going to happen with Darwin Nunez?
Nunez’s penalty miss played a massive part in Liverpool’s elimination from the Champions League this year, and that may be the last time Nunez kicks a ball in Europe for the Reds.
Indeed, Nunez is set to leave Liverpool this summer, and he’ll leave with a difficult legacy.
On one hand, Nunez will always be a fan favourite due to the fact he’s turned up in some massive moments for the Reds.
However, at the same time, Nunez has been criticised for being profligate in front of goal, and that has defined most of his time at Anfield.
The penalty miss vs PSG may well define Nunez’s Liverpool career, and he may long be remembered as the player who cost the Reds a realistic shot at the Champions League.