PSG edge Arsenal on penalties to retain Champions League title

Paris Saint-Germain edged Arsenal on penalties for the club's second Champions League crown in as many years (INA FASSBENDER)Paris Saint-Germain claimed back-to-back Champions League triumphs with a 4-3 shoot-out win over Arsenal following a 1-1 draw after extra time on Saturday, with Eberechi Eze and Gabriel missing from the spot.

>Mikel Arteta's Premier League champions showed great resilience to take the game beyond 120 minutes in Budapest, but fell to a second final defeat, 20 years after their first against Barcelona in 2006.

>Luis Enrique's side became only the second besides Real Madrid to win the competition in consecutive years in the Champions League era.

>"We are so, so proud, so happy, so grateful," PSG winger Desire Doue told TNT Sports.

>"As a team, as a family, I think we deserve that... look at the fans, we are so happy."

>PSG's first triumph was 55 years in the making, 14 of those under Qatari ownership, the second could start what they hope is an era of dominance and dynasty-building.

>"It was Real Madrid and now it's us too," PSG midfielder Fabian Ruiz told Movistar.

>"They defended all through the game and football is fair... today the right team won."

>Luis Enrique rebuilt the team swiftly and efficiently, removing the club's superstars and building a cohesive and committed attacking side, capable of shredding opposition with terrifying pace.

>It was the Spaniard's third Champions League triumph, making him one of only five coaches to complete a hat-trick -- the first coming with Barcelona in 2015.

>For a while it looked unlikely as Kai Havertz powered Arsenal ahead after six minutes but Ousmane Dembele's penalty midway through the second half took a tight game to extra time and ultimately spot-kick.

>Arsenal's Jurrien Timber was fit after a groin injury but his rust from over two months out led Arteta to deploy Cristhian Mosquera out of position at right-back.

>The coach also opted for Havertz in attack over Viktor Gyokeres, and for an hour it seemed like his calls would pay off.

>Luis Enrique selected 10 of the side which demolished Inter Milan 5-0 in last year's final as PSG finally lifted the trophy they so badly craved.

>In Arsenal's only prior final 20 years ago German goalkeeper Jens Lehmann was sent off in the opening stages as they were defeated.

>They got off to a far better start at the Puskas Arena, with Lehmann's compatriot Havertz firing the Gunners ahead after just six minutes.

>Havertz, who scored the winning goal in Chelsea's 2021 Champions League final victory, could not believe his luck after Marquinhos's attempted clearance hit Leandro Trossard and bounced into his path.

>The forward galloped into open space behind PSG's defence and towards Matvey Safonov's goal. Havertz had a tight angle to overcome but rifled a strike into the roof of the net.

>It was the worst possible start for PSG against a miserly Arsenal side who had conceded just six goals on the run to the final.

>Their disciplined defending kept the Parisians at bay with consummate ease, as Luis Enrique's side controlled the ball but could not break through Arsenal's defensive bastion.

>Gabriel made an excellent last-ditch challenge to pick Khvicha Kvaratskhelia's pocket. The dynamic Georgian has been the tournament's best player but in the first half was not allowed room to breathe.

>The French champions appealed for a penalty when Bukayo Saka bungled an attempted clearance and the ball hit both his arms, but referee Daniel Siebert was unmoved.

>- Fighting back -

>PSG were reduced to frustrated pot-shots from distance and after the break moved the ball quicker to try and destabilise Arsenal's rearguard.

>Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya saved from Achraf Hakimi's bouncing free-kick before Kvaratskhelia finally had his say. After the winger's slick one-two with Dembele, Mosquera bundled him down in the box with a clumsy foul.

>Dembele sent Raya the wrong way with a low penalty to level, with PSG fans igniting several flares in celebration. It was their 45th goal of the competition, matching the all-time record.

>PSG almost set a new one when Kvaratskhelia hurtled down the left but teenager Myles Lewis-Skelly deflected his shot against the post.

>Substitute Bradley Barcola fired a fine chance wide on the break before extra time, as the French side threatened frequently, a tiring Arsenal suddenly giving them too much space.

>The Gunners pleaded for a penalty of their own when substitute Noni Madueke went down under pressure from Nuno Mendes, but it would have been harsh on the PSG defender whom the winger was pulling.

>To a shoot-out it went, with PSG confident after already claiming three trophies on penalties this season, and winning their last five. They also took the first spot-kick, and at the end in front of their own supporters.

>Arsenal blinked first, with Eze firing wide but Raya then saved from PSG's Mendes. Declan Rice drilled home to level at 2-2.

>After Lucas Beraldo put the Ligue 1 winners 4-3 up, Arsenal defender Gabriel was left with the fifth kick for his side and lashed it high over the crossbar to hand PSG the trophy.

>rbs/mw/jc