PSG cemented their place among Europe’s modern greats yesterday, retaining the Champions League crown with a nerve-shredding 4-3 penalty shootout victory over Arsenal after a 1-1 draw at Budapest’s Puskas Arena. For much of the night, it looked as though Arsenal would spoil the party. Kai Havertz, scorer of Chelsea’s winning goal in the 2021 final, struck after just six minutes after a fortunate rebound off Leandro Trossard fell kindly in his path. The Gunners’ notoriously stingy defence, which had conceded only six goals en route to the final, then frustrated PSG for long spells. But Luis Enrique’s side eventually found a way through. After Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was bundled over by Cristhian Mosquera, Ousmane Dembele calmly converted the resulting penalty to level the score. With Kvaratskhelia later hitting the post and extra time failing to separate the sides, the final was decided from the spot. Despite being without Dembele, Kvaratskhelia, Vitinha and captain Marquinhos for the shootout, PSG held firm. Eberechi Eze fired wide and Gabriel blazed over with Arsenal’s final kick, handing PSG a second successive European crown.

PSG became just the second team this century to retain the Champions League, after Real Madrid’s three straight titles from 2016-18, and the first French club to win back-to-back European crowns.

Luis Enrique named 10 of the 11 players who started PSG’s 5-0 demolition of Inter Milan in last year’s final.

PSG’s 45 goals this season matched Barcelona’s 1999-2000 record for the most in a single Champions League campaign.

Kai Havertz became only the third player to score in Champions League finals for two different clubs, after Cristiano Ronaldo and Mario Mandzukic.

Arsenal became the first team to miss the target with two penalties in a Champions League final shootout, through Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Magalhães.

Arsenal’s 24.7% possession was the lowest recorded in a Champions League final since data collection began in 2003-04, and their lowest under Mikel Arteta with 11 men on the pitch throughout.

At 20 years and two months, Warren Zaire-Emery became the youngest player to win two Champions League finals, eclipsing Johan Neeskens’ previous record.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia finished level with Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe on a competition-high 16 goal involvements. His 10 knockout-stage involvements led the tournament, while he became the first player to score or assist in seven consecutive knockout appearances in a single campaign.