Paris Saint-Germain won back-to-back Champions League’s after defeating Arsenal on penalties after the final in Budapest finished 1-1 after extra-time.
Mikel Arteta’s men executed their game plan close to perfection and nullified the firepower of the French champions while Kai Havertz proved once again how important he is in big games by scoring the opening goal just six minutes into the match.
The Gunners, led by Declan Rice and Gabriel, then performed a fine feat of defensive football to keep PSG at bay but a mistake from Cristhian Mosquera set up Ousmane Dembele to equalise from the penalty spot.
Arsenal played through extra-time to force a penalty shootout and it was a missed shot by Gabriel that decided the match in PSG’s favour.
Here’s how the players rated from the Champions League final:
Paris Saint-Germain
Matvei Safonov, 7 – Questions were raised about his ability in the biggest games but could do nothing about Havertz’s opener. Took a knock to the head from his own defender when slapping away a cross from Bukayo Saka.
Achraf Hakimi, 6 – Provided a boost to PSG with his availability. Handled Leandro Trossard’s physicality with strength and poise while providing an attacking threat on the right wing. Scored his penalty kick.
Marquinhos, 5 – A poor attempted clearance sent the ball into Trossard which freed up Kai Havertz’s break for the opening goal but made up for it with a lunging tackle to block a shot from Havertz at the end of the first half.
Willian Pacho, 6 – PSG’s possession meant he didn’t have a great deal of defending to do. Beat Saka to a loose ball, cleared his lines and put in a nice block. Unremarkable but solid.
Nuno Mendes, 8 – Played many roles from left-back, central midfield and centre forward due to PSG’s fluid, fast-paced movement. Tried his best to impact the game despite repeatedly getting shut down by Arsenal’s committed defence. A one-two with Kvaratskhelia got the champions back into the match. Missed his kick in the shootout.
Vitinha, 5 – Usually the dictator from central midfield but found opportunities to beat the Arsenal lines few and far between. Settled instead to send the ball out wide which provided width but little else for the reigning champions. Completely shut down by Arsenal’s compact shape but had a shot late in the game which sailed over the crossbar.
Joao Neves, 6 – Had a similar evening to Vitinha but perhaps provided a bit more of a spark for PSG, especially after the French side equalised.
Fabian Ruiz, 6 – The third member for PSG’s crucial midfield trio. Did plenty of dirty work including covering at left-back when Nuno Mendes advanced up the pitch and provided an extra body to nullify the threat of Saka.
Desire Doue, 7 – Flexible in positioning on both the left and right wing. Fast on his feet and willing to thread the lines with sharp passes to play in teammates like Kvaratskhelia and Fabian Ruiz. Scored his penalty in the shootout.
Ousmane Dembele, 6 – Deliberately dropped deep to get on the ball but that left a hole in the box meaning PSG could not cross from the wings and challenge the Arsenal defence in new ways. Slotted home a fine penalty when called upon to get PSG back on level terms but not up to his usual standards.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, 8 – After a quiet first half, he brilliantly won a penalty by getting around Mosquera after a one-two with Mendes. Provided the moment of inspiration for the reigning champions then later hit the post.
Subs: Goncalo Ramos – 7, Bradley Barcola – 6, Lucas Beraldo – 6, Warren Zaire-Emery – n/a, Illia Zabarnyi – n/a
Arsenal
David Raya, 6 – Surprisingly had a quieter night than he probably expected but performed his duties admirably when called on. Kept out a shot from Marquinhos’s free kick directly in front of goal and charged down a loose ball to beat Bradley Barcola to it. Denied Nuno Mendes in the shootout.
Cristhian Mosquera, 6 – Started at right-back ahead of Jurrien Timber. Remained composed against the threat of Doue but stumbled and took out Kvaratskhelia to gift up a penalty which brought the French side back into the game. Subbed off immediately afterwards.
William Saliba, 7 – Overshadowed by Gabriel’s first half heroics but a solid partner in the centre of defence, clearing the lines and happy to run the ball out of danger.
Gabriel, 8 – Made an exceptional tackle as the ball bounced loose to Kvaratskhelia in the first half. Timed his lunge perfectly and denied the attacker a chance to shoot. Made another last-ditch tackle to nick the ball off Doue. The defensive standout in a solid back line. The only blip was his missed penalty which handed the trophy to PSG.
Piero Hincapie, 6 – The more defensive-minded Arsenal man on the left side. Covered aptly when Trossard switched off and matched the runs of Doue, Dembele and Hakimi to make crucial tackles and block passes into the box.
Declan Rice, 6 – The more experienced midfielder of the partnership with Myles Lewis-Skelly. Spent the majority of the game in defensive mode but got forward and linked the play in pursuit of a winner. Scored his penalty kick.
Myles Lewis-Skelly, 7 – Tasked with playing out of position to partner Rice in the base of Arsenal’s midfield and handled pressure from Vitinha and Doue with patience, pace and wily skill. Class.
Martin Odegaard, 5 – Led the team through Arsenal’s more defensive period and as such was limited in helping the team go forward. Replaced by Viktor Gyokeres after the Gunners conceded.
Bukayo Saka, 6 – Asked to drop back and defend alongside Mosquera. Provided plenty of cover but got forward when required and was a threat finding space on the right, set up a chance for Havertz which saw the effort blocked.
Kai Havertz, 8 – Restored to the line-up for the start and struck the opening goal with confidence, style and the experience of a big-game player.
Leandro Trossard, 5 – A fortuitous assist for Havertz’s goal but little else to speak of with Arsenal predominantly defending their lead. Replaced with Gabriel Martinelli as the Gunners chased a winning goal.
Subs: Gabriel Martinelli – 6, Jurrien Timber – 6, Viktor Gyokeres – 6, Noni Madueke – 6, Eberechi Eze – 5, Martin Zubimendi – n/a
