Things couldn't have gone better for Arsenal. After Kai Havertz's early goal, the Londoners focused on their forte: defending. Paris Saint-Germain circulated the ball around the visitors' penalty area, yet they could not penetrate Arsenal's compact 4-4-2 rearguard. The Gunners cleared every cross, tackle and header out of the box, while long-range efforts sailed over the bar.
For 65 minutes, Europe's best defence kept the continent's most potent attack at bay, nullifying the threat of Paris's front three—Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. In Munich, observers must have asked themselves: how on earth was that possible? After all, PSG had scored six goals in the spectacular semi-final against Bayern.
Ultimately, though, Arsenal's defensive wall crumbled where many had expected: at right-back. First-choice right-back Jurrien Timber was still building match fitness after more than two months out, and his deputy Ben White was also injured, so manager Mikel Arteta turned to third-choice option Cristhian Mosquera, a centre-back by trade. The 21-year-old Spaniard was making only his sixth competitive appearance at right-back this season.
There, Mosquera came up against PSG's most dangerous attacker in this Champions League campaign, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. In the first half, the Georgian could not get a look-in against the young Spaniard. Shortly after the restart, though, Mosquera was booked for time-wasting, adding extra pressure to his already difficult task. In the 65th minute, Kvaratskhelia slipped past him and was brought down from behind in the box. Ousmane Dembele stepped up and coolly converted the resulting penalty to level the score at 1-1.
Mosquera soon departed, making way for Timber's return on the biggest stage. PSG grew slightly more menacing after the equaliser but rarely looked likely to strike again. Kvaratskhelia wasted the best chance to make it 2-1 in the 77th minute before being substituted himself.