Marquinhos comforts tearful Gabriel after decisive penalty miss in Champions League final

PSG captain Marquinhos drew widespread praise for rushing to embrace Arsenal defender Gabriel moments after the Brazilian’s penalty miss handed Paris Saint-Germain the Champions League title in a 4-3 shootout victory. The final at had ended 1-1 after 120 minutes, with Gabriel left in tears as the decisive kick slipped past him.

Kai Havertz had given Arsenal the lead in the opening exchanges before Ousmane Dembélé levelled from the spot just after the hour mark, sending the showpiece into extra time and ultimately a shootout. Gabriel and Eberechi Eze both failed to convert their attempts, but it was Gabriel’s miss that proved the fatal blow.

As Gabriel stood stricken on the pitch, Marquinhos — his long-time Brazil international centre-back partner — was the first to reach him, pulling him into what commentator Ally McCoist described as “the biggest cuddle you’ve ever seen.”

“I’m gutted for him, absolutely gutted for him,” McCoist said. “I mention something that we saw there that was absolutely fantastic — as soon as he missed it, do you know who the first person was up to him? Marquinhos, his Brazilian centre-back pal. It’ll mean nothing to him at this moment in time, but what a touch it was.”

Arsenal legend Martin Keown struck a defiant tone in the aftermath, insisting the defeat should be viewed as a foundation rather than a ceiling for Mikel Arteta’s side.

“Arsenal will be back bigger, better and stronger,” Keown said. “They’ll be in the transfer market, and this is just the start for Arteta, with the confidence of winning a Premier League. They were just one penalty kick away from becoming European champions, so I think that’s a great place to build from.”

Keown also pointed to the broader significance of the run, noting the appetite it would sharpen among the club’s ownership. “This will have really whetted the appetite of Josh Kroenke,” he added. “This is a huge football club and they’ve gone toe-to-toe with the best in the world.”

For PSG, the victory delivers a first Champions League title and caps a remarkable turnaround under their current project, with Marquinhos — who has captained the club throughout — lifting the trophy in what may stand as the defining moment of his career.