Chelsea mock Arsenal with Champions League trophy post after PSG penalty final defeat

Paris Saint-Germain retained the Champions League title on Saturday, defeating Arsenal 4-3 on penalties at the Puskas Arena in Budapest after a 1-1 draw, and Chelsea wasted no time making their London rivals feel the pain.

Within minutes of the final whistle, Chelsea posted on X a reel of images headlined by a replica of the Champions League trophy — the one they lifted in 2020-21 by beating Manchester City in Porto — alongside the caption: “Come and visit London’s Home of Trophies. Book your Stadium Tour at Stamford Bridge now.” The post also featured the Club World Cup, which Chelsea won against PSG last summer. The timing left little doubt about the intended audience.

The dig stings because of what it represents. Chelsea have won the Champions League twice — in 2011-12, overcoming Bayern Munich on penalties at the Allianz Arena, and again in 2020-21 — while Arsenal’s quest for a first-ever European Cup title continues.

On the pitch in Budapest, Arsenal had reason for optimism early on. Former Chelsea midfielder Kai Havertz, deployed as a centre-forward by Mikel Arteta ahead of summer signing Viktor Gyokeres, put the Gunners ahead after just five minutes with a sharp finish after Marquinhos’ attempted clearance deflected off Leandro Trossard’s shoulder and fell kindly.

PSG levelled through Ousmane Dembele, who converted from the penalty spot after Cristhian Mosquera brought Khvicha Kvaratskhelia down inside the box, with referee Daniel Siebert awarding the foul without hesitation.

The match could not be separated after 90 minutes, sending the final to a shootout that PSG controlled from the outset after winning the coin toss and shooting in front of their own supporters. Eberechi Eze pulled his effort wide early in the sequence, though Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya kept them alive by saving from Nuno Mendes.

With the shootout level at 3-3, Lucas Beraldo sent Raya the wrong way to hand PSG the advantage, and Gabriel then fired over the bar to end Arsenal’s hopes of a first Champions League title. The defeat extends one of the sport’s longest waits for European glory at a club of Arsenal’s stature.