PSG beat Arsenal on penalties to win back-to-back Champions League titles in Budapest

Paris Saint-Germain defeated Arsenal 4-3 on penalties in the Champions League final in Budapest, with Gabriel Magalhaes scoring the decisive miss as the Ligue 1 champions claimed back-to-back European titles. Eberechi Eze also failed to convert from the spot, leaving Arsenal heartbroken after coming agonisingly close to a first Champions League triumph.

Kai Havertz had given Arsenal a dream start, putting the Gunners ahead inside five minutes. PSG levelled through an Ousmane Dembélé penalty midway through the second half, and neither side could be separated by the end of extra time, forcing a shootout that ultimately broke Arsenal hearts.

Gabriel’s miss — a blazed effort over the crossbar — proved the most costly, and the Brazilian defender was visibly distraught on the pitch immediately after. In a moment that drew widespread attention, PSG captain Marquinhos, Gabriel’s international teammate with Brazil, sprinted over to console him before Arsenal’s own players formed a protective circle around the 28-year-old centre-back.

Commenting on the gesture, Ally McCoist said: “I’m gutted for him, absolutely gutted for him. As soon as he missed it, do you know who the first person was up to him? Marquinhos, his Brazilian centre-back pal, and gave him the biggest cuddle you’ve ever seen. It’ll mean nothing to him at this moment in time, but what a touch it was.”

Eze, who joined Arsenal from Crystal Palace last summer, was also in tears after his penalty was saved, with teammates quick to offer their support to the England international as well.

The defeat is a painful conclusion to what had been a remarkable European campaign for Mikel Arteta’s side. PSG, meanwhile, become only the latest club to successfully defend the Champions League title, cementing their status as the dominant force in European football under their current setup.