Paris Saint-Germain have successfully defended their UEFA Champions League title, triumphing over Arsenal in a penalty shootout at Budapest's Puskás Aréna. This victory marks PSG's second consecutive Champions League win, solidifying their status as one of the elite teams in European football.

Path to the Title

PSG's journey to the 2025/26 Champions League trophy began with a series of mixed results in the league phase, where they finished in 11th place with four wins, two draws, and two losses, scoring 21 goals and conceding 11. Their knockout phase commenced with a narrow 5-4 aggregate victory against Monaco, followed by a dominant 8-2 aggregate win over Chelsea in the round of 16. They continued their impressive form by defeating Liverpool 4-0 on aggregate in the quarter-finals. The semi-finals featured a thrilling contest against Bayern München, where PSG advanced with a 6-5 aggregate score, showcasing their attacking capabilities.

Final Showdown

In the final, PSG faced Arsenal and initially fell behind after conceding an early goal. However, they equalized in the second half through a penalty converted by Ousmane Dembélé. The match ultimately went to penalties, where PSG emerged victorious with a 4-3 win, securing their place in history as only the second team to win back-to-back titles in the UEFA Champions League era.

PSG's success can be attributed to the confidence gained from their previous title, which propelled them through the tournament. Despite a challenging league phase, their remarkable performances in the knockout rounds highlighted their individual talent and teamwork. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was the team's top scorer with 10 goals, while Achraf Hakimi and Kvaratskhelia each provided six assists. Vitinha led the team in distance covered, running an impressive 190.8 kilometers throughout the competition.