PSG retain Champions League title 2026

PSG Retain Champions League Title with Penalty Win Over Arsenal

The Story

Paris Saint-Germain defeated Arsenal 4-3 on penalties to win the Champions League final in Budapest, successfully defending their title. The match ended 1-1 after extra time, with Arsenal taking an early lead before PSG equalized from the penalty spot. PSG became the second club to retain the Champions League since the competition was rebranded in 1992, following Real Madrid’s three-peat from 2016 to 2018. Luis Enrique’s side won last year’s final 5-0 against Inter Milan. Arsenal were seeking their first Champions League title and had not appeared in a final since 2006. The Gunners took the lead in the sixth minute through Kai Havertz, but Ousmane Dembele leveled with a penalty after Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was fouled. The decisive penalty was missed by Arsenal defender Gabriel, handing PSG the victory.

Key Facts

PSG beat Arsenal 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the Champions League final in Budapest.
Kai Havertz scored for Arsenal in the sixth minute.
Ousmane Dembele equalized for PSG from a penalty following a foul on Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
PSG became the second club to retain the Champions League since the competition was rebranded in 1992, after Real Madrid.
PSG won last year’s final 5-0 against Inter Milan.
Luis Enrique is PSG’s head coach; Mikel Arteta is Arsenal’s head coach.
Arsenal defender Gabriel missed the decisive penalty for Arsenal.

Conflicting Reports

No conflicting reports identified across sources.

Still Unclear

Match attendance of 61,035 (Source: Sky Sports – single-source claim).
PSG goalkeeper Matvey Safonov was the only new starter compared to last year’s final (Source: BBC News – single-source claim).
PSG scored 45 goals in this season’s Champions League, equaling Barcelona’s record from 1999-2000 (Source: BBC News – single-source claim).
Luis Enrique initially did not want the PSG job when first asked (Source: BBC News – single-source claim).
Arsenal forward Kai Havertz had not played a game in 2026 until January due to injury (Source: dw.com – single-source claim).
Arsenal won the Premier League this season (Source: Sky Sports, from a quote by Declan Rice – single-source claim).
Eberechi Eze missed Arsenal’s second penalty in the shootout (Source: Sky Sports – single-source claim).
PSG midfielder Vitinha was named man of the match (Source: dw.com – single-source claim).

Misconceptions

No widespread misconceptions addressed in the sources.

Key Figures

Luis Enrique (PSG head coach)
Mikel Arteta (Arsenal head coach)
Kai Havertz (Arsenal forward)
Ousmane Dembele (PSG forward)
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (PSG forward)
Gabriel (Arsenal defender)
Matvey Safonov (PSG goalkeeper)
Declan Rice (Arsenal midfielder)
Martin Odegaard (Arsenal captain)
Eberechi Eze (Arsenal midfielder)
Vitinha (PSG midfielder)
Achraf Hakimi (PSG fullback)

Sources: BBC News, Sky Sports, dw.com

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