PSG Reaches Champions League Final After Arsenal Win \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Paris Saint-Germain defeated Arsenal 2-1 to reach the Champions League final, prevailing 3-1 on aggregate. Despite being outplayed early, PSG’s resilience and counterattacks sealed the win, backed by key saves from goalkeeper Donnarumma. The French club now prepares to face Inter Milan in Munich on May 31.
Quick Looks
- PSG beat Arsenal 2-1 on the night, 3-1 on aggregate, to reach the Champions League final.
- Despite Arsenal’s early dominance, PSG capitalized on counterattacks and key saves by Donnarumma.
- Fabian Ruiz and Achraf Hakimi scored for PSG; Bukayo Saka pulled one back for Arsenal.
- PSG reached its second-ever final, the first since 2020’s loss to Bayern Munich.
- This is PSG’s first season without Mbappé, who departed for Real Madrid.
- Coach Luis Enrique has built a younger, cohesive squad, shifting away from superstar dependence.
- Arsenal launched 61 attacks compared to PSG’s 26, but couldn’t convert enough chances.
- Donnarumma made multiple crucial saves, especially early against Ødegaard and Martinelli.
- Inter Milan awaits in the final, having edged Barcelona 7-6 on aggregate.
- PSG president Al-Khelaifi praised the team’s hunger and unity, calling it “not done yet.”
Deep Look
Paris Saint-Germain delivered a performance defined by resilience, adaptation, and tactical maturity as they defeated Arsenal 2-1 in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League semifinal, booking a place in the final with a 3-1 aggregate victory. Though Arsenal dominated possession and attacking play, PSG’s disciplined structure and counterattacking efficiency ultimately proved decisive.
The win marked PSG’s second-ever appearance in the final of Europe’s top club competition—its first since the 2020 defeat to Bayern Munich—and came in the first post-Mbappé season, signaling a new era for the club under manager Luis Enrique.
Gone are the days of PSG leaning solely on marquee names like Mbappé, Neymar, or Messi. This year, the French giants have built something more cohesive and sustainable—a squad defined not by superstardom but by youth, hunger, and balance. “They fight for the team, they die for the jersey,” said club president Nasser al-Khelaifi. “We are not done.”
Arsenal’s Aggressive Start
Backed by a packed Emirates last week, Arsenal had fallen 1-0 in the first leg, unable to cope with PSG’s intensity. But in Paris, Arsenal came out firing, clearly inspired by the return of midfielder Thomas Partey, and pressed PSG into their own half from the first whistle.
Declan Rice and Gabriel Martinelli came close in the opening minutes, with Martin Ødegaard testing PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who proved to be a brick wall all night. Arsenal recorded a staggering 61 attacking sequences, overwhelming PSG on the flanks and generating multiple chances—but the finishing touch was often missing or denied.
Despite the pressure, PSG struck first.
PSG’s Clinical Response
In the 27th minute, after an Arsenal clearance from a free kick, the ball fell to Fabian Ruiz at the edge of the box. The midfielder connected on a spectacular half-volley, burying it into the net to give PSG a 1-0 lead and a 2-0 cushion on aggregate.
Still, Arsenal pushed. But PSG’s backline held firm, with Donnarumma making several critical saves, including a superb stop on a Saka curler destined for the top corner. At times, the French side looked pinned, but their transitions were razor-sharp when chances emerged.
In the 72nd minute, a quick break led to Achraf Hakimi curling home from an assist by substitute Ousmane Dembélé, effectively killing off the tie by making it 2-0 (3-0 on aggregate). It was a devastating blow to Arsenal’s momentum.
Arsenal’s Late Push
Refusing to fold, Bukayo Saka gave Arsenal hope in the 76th minute, finishing neatly after sustained pressure to cut the lead to 2-1. But it was too little, too late. Arsenal’s urgency never waned, yet PSG’s compact defense and game management proved too strong in the final minutes.
Adding to Arsenal’s frustration, PSG missed a penalty earlier in the second half after VAR ruled a handball on Myles Lewis-Skelly, but Vitinha failed to convert. It could have made the scoreline even more emphatic.
The Road Ahead
PSG’s road to Munich has not been easy. They eliminated Aston Villa, outlasted Liverpool, and now overcame a spirited Arsenal, who many had tipped to reach their first Champions League final since 2006.
Captain Marquinhos, who lost the 2020 final, spoke emotionally after the match: “We’re well on the way, but it’s not over yet. I’ve already lost a final. I know how it hurts.”
Now, PSG must prepare to face three-time European champion Inter Milan, who emerged from a thrilling 7-6 aggregate win over Barcelona in one of the competition’s most dramatic semifinals.
For PSG, this final represents more than redemption—it’s reinvention. The Parisian club’s identity has shifted from galáctico chasing to systemic strength, and the payoff could finally come on May 31 in Munich, where they will try to secure their first Champions League title.
PSG Reaches Champions
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