Arsenal's defence crumbled at the expected weak spot, and their most dangerous weapon failed to make an impact against PSG

PSG

Paris Saint-Germain beat Arsenal on penalties to retain the Champions League title. Here are three things that stood out in Budapest's nail-biting thriller.

Kai Havertz put Arsenal ahead in the 6th minute, before Ousmane Dembélé equalised from the penalty spot in the 65th minute. After a goalless extra time, PSG won 4–3 on penalties. Eberechi Eze and Gabriel missed for Arsenal, whilst for PSG only the visibly exhausted Nuno Mendes failed to convert.

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Arsenal's defence crumbled against PSG in the expected place

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.

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Arsenal's most dangerous weapon failed to make an impact against PSG.

Deep into extra time at Puskas Arena, Arsenal supporters suddenly erupted in celebration when the referee awarded their side a corner kick. The Londoners—already renowned as Europe's set-piece specialists—sensed an opportunity to snatch victory, even if the final whistle was seconds away.

After all, the Gunners are the undisputed corner kings of Europe—partly because they have honed tactics that unsettle opposing goalkeepers and sit right on the edge of the rules. They netted 18 goals from set pieces en route to the league title, a Premier League record. Corners had also proved decisive when they beat Bayern Munich earlier in the season. This time, though, Noni Madueke's delivery was cleared, and the subsequent scramble failed to yield a winner. Referee Daniel Siebert then blew the final whistle.

This time, at least, the whistle blew only after the set piece had been delivered. Shortly before the interval, Arsenal had earned their first corner of the evening. As the fans roared in anticipation, Bukayo Saka strode towards the flag, clearly relishing the moment. German referee Daniel Siebert, however, deemed the delay excessive; the clock had already expired, so he brought the first half to a close without allowing the kick to be taken. Arsenal's players were stunned. The next chance did not arrive until the start of extra time, when Madueke fired off two quick attempts; Goncalo Ramos blocked the first, and the second curled into the side netting. Ultimately, Arsenal's biggest attacking threat failed to make an impact against PSG.

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The two Germans delivered a convincing performance in Budapest.

Although no Bundesliga side featured in the Budapest final, two Germans still took to the pitch. One was referee Daniel Siebert, who, despite London fans' outrage, delivered an impeccable performance. Siebert got his key decisions right and did not shy away from making difficult calls.

He correctly disallowed a first-half stoppage-time corner, just as he had earlier awarded PSG a penalty and booked Mosquera for time-wasting. Siebert also spotted an incorrect throw-in by Joao Neves and ruled it out. He correctly declined to award Arsenal a penalty for an alleged foul on Madueke in extra time; the forward had been beaten in a footrace and had dived in an attempt to win a decision. When Arteta and Declan Rice protested too vigorously, Siebert booked both. Given his commanding performance in European club football's showpiece event, it remains surprising that FIFA omitted Siebert from its World Cup roster.

The other German in Budapest also delivered: Kai Havertz put Arsenal 1-0 up early on, underlining his reputation as a man for the big occasion. In 2021 the 26-year-old from Aachen had fired his former club Chelsea to victory in the final against Manchester City; on the penultimate matchday of this Premier League season he set Arsenal on course for the title by opening the scoring against Burnley.

Although his strike ultimately proved insufficient, Havertz became only the third player to score in a Champions League final for two different clubs (since the format's 1992 overhaul), joining Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United, Real Madrid) and Mario Mandzukic (Juventus, Bayern Munich).