Paris St-Germain beat Arsenal on penalties to win Champions League
Gunners denied first European title as Enrique's side win competition for second successive year
Sides were level after 90 minutes as Dembele penalty cancels out early Havertz opener
Use the 'watch & listen' tab for BBC Radio 5 Live reaction or to watch 5 Live Final Score
FT: Paris St-Germain 1-1 Arsenal (4-3 on pens)
That is all for this live page as Paris St-Germain win a second successive Champions League title, beating Arsenal on penalties.
Thank you for joining us and for your comments.
Until next time, bye for now.
Image source, Getty ImagesFT: Paris St-Germain 1-1 Arsenal (4-3 on pens)
Havertz fires Arsenal into early lead against PSG
Dembele equalises from penalty spot for PSG
FT: Paris St-Germain 1-1 Arsenal (4-3 on pens)
Alex Howell
BBC Sport Arsenal reporter at the Puskas Arena
Gabriel Magalhaes skied the decisive spot-kick as Arsenal were denied a first Champions League triumph in a penalty shootout defeat by Paris St-Germain, who won the competition for a second successive year.
Mikel Arteta's side lifted the Premier League title for the first time in 22 years last weekend, but were denied a league and European double in the most heartbreaking of fashions in a hot and humid Puskas Arena.
The Gunners made a dream start to the final in Budapest when Kai Havertz, who scored the winning goal in the Champions League final for Chelsea against Manchester City in 2021, burst away from the PSG backline and rifled the ball into the roof of the net after only six minutes.
But from then on it was PSG's final, as they took control, dominating large chunks of the game, with Gabriel and William Saliba making a number of vital interventions as the Arsenal defence dealt with waves of attacks from Luis Enrique's side.
Arteta had a number of big calls to make for this game and opted to continue with 19-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly in midfield, while he stuck with Cristhian Mosquera, who was filling in at right back for the injured Ben White and the not fully fit Jurrien Timber.
And it was a clumsy Mosquera tackle that led to PSG's second-half equaliser. The Spaniard was caught out by a clever Khvicha Kvaratskhelia run and brought the winger down in the area, with Ousmane Dembele rolling in the resulting penalty.
FT: Paris St-Germain 1-1 Arsenal (4-3 on pens)
Image source, Getty ImagesArsenal manager Mikel Arteta on his side's penalty shout in extra time: "I watch all the penalties in the competition this season over the last 72 hours to understand what's a penalty and not. That easily can be a penalty."
FT: Paris St-Germain 1-1 Arsenal (4-3 on pens)
Paris St-Germain
Paris St-Germain
Illia Zabarnyispeaking to TNT Sports on the win over Arsenal: "It's amazing, an unbelievable club. I want to thank everyone. We work hard and we deserve it."
On the Ukrainian flag he wore around himself during the celebrations: "I'm a proud Ukrainian. We are strong people, our people are strong, we don't give up."
On Enrique as manager: "Unbelievable. Enrique is a magic man, we fight for him, he fights for us."
You can watch highlights and analysis of tonight's Champions League final on BBC One and iPlayer at 22:20 BST, as Jason Mohammed is joined by Nedum Onuoha and Chris Sutton.
FT: Paris St-Germain 1-1 Arsenal (4-3 on pens)
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta on Gabriel taking a penalty: "He wanted to take it number five. We have prepared and trained for this moment.
"Normally the penalty takers would be Bukayo [Saka], Martin [Odegaard], Kai [Havertz] for sure. But we knew if we went to extra-time and penalties the penalty takers would be different players.
"You have to do this in this moment. We are unfortunate not to have the same precision in this moment that they had and that's why we have not won it."
FT: Paris St-Germain 1-1 Arsenal (4-3 on pens)
Image source, Getty ImagesMore from Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice, speaking to TNT Sports
On a potential potential when Nuno Mendes may have fouled Noni Madueke: "I've not seen it back yet. At first glance on the pitch I think he's ahead of Nuno Mendes. I was gutted at the time because I thought the ref would go and have a look but obviously It was not clear enough to be a penalty, I thought it was and so did our staff and bench.
"You have to be mentally on it to face PSG for the whole game. They wanted us to go out and play like Bayern played them [in the semi-finals] but that's what they want but that's how they score 5-6 against opponents, you've got to be really resilient and switched on. We really grew into the game, had some chances. Nullified them to hardly any. Fair play to them, great manger, great team, great individuals. They've lost loads over the years and now is their time. We'll keep pushing for something big."
On what Arteta had to stay at the end of the game: "He's gutted, we're all gutted. It's a Champions League final. The emotions and stakes are so high. It's cruel, that's football. He spoke about how much he loves us as a group This season what we have done, how we've been 100 every game and everything that's been thrown at us.
"We've come really far as a group this year. This is only the start for us. We got over the line in the Premier League which was a dream come true. This would've been one step further that wasn't meant to be but we keep building. We keep going we keep staying positive. That's one thing about this group, it won't define us."
FT: Paris St-Germain 1-1 Arsenal (4-3 on pens)
Paris St-Germain
Paris St-Germain
Paris St-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi speaking to TNT Sports: Today is an amazing history day. Last year, back to back, it's not easy, the Champions League is difficult. So proud of the team, of the coach of the staff of the fans. Everybody doubted us again but thank god we made it and we believed."
On Enrique: He's very, very special, as a coach, human being, as a person, he is fantastic. He's the best coach in the world. He has done amazing with the team. With a young team, you know the story. I would also like to thank the players of PSG this is also for them. They all gave to this project."
On two Champions League wins back to back: "Amazing I told my guys after the first half, we are going to win. I promise you I felt it before the match, I know it was tough. Bad luck to Arsenal, great team, fantastic team, all the best, big respect for them."
On recruiting more players: "I tell you, I promise you, we are OK. Of course we will be going to the market."
On Enrique staying at the helm: "He's the best coach, I cannot answer the question but I'm really confident, and it's all about the project and he is the best one for the project."
FT: Paris St-Germain 1-1 Arsenal (4-3 on pens)
Paris St-Germain
Image source, Getty ImagesStriker Goncalo Ramos speaking to TNT Sports: "It's a dream come true, it's difficult. We have a lot of personality and we show we are ready."
On taking the first penalty of the game: "I love these type of moments, I'm a striker and I'm always ready to take the penalty. I want to be there in the big moments. Everybody believes in each other and every player can help. We are confident in every player."
FT: Paris St-Germain 1-1 Arsenal (4-3 on pens)
Julien Laurens
ESPN journalist on BBC Radio 5 Live at the Puskas Arena
Mikel Arteta will see the positives because that is the kind of guy he is. Arsenal are getting closer and closer. This team adds a bit more attacking power and desire. This team can have everything. It will hurt tonight.
History has been made today for this PSG team.
Last season will always be special, but they will enjoy this more as they had to dig deep, they had to fight, and they had to come back.
Last season was almost a bit too easy against Inter. Back-to-back, you join the greatest of all-time.
FT: Paris St-Germain 1-1 Arsenal (4-3 on pens)
Chris Sutton
Former Premier League striker on BBC Radio 5 Live at the Puskas Arena
Image source, Getty ImagesArsenal got themselves in front and defended brilliantly and limited PSG to very few chances.
I felt for Cristhian Mosquera, who had a brilliant hour, but it was a penalty.
Arsenal still kept with their gameplan and were very direct. It has still been a great season...
This PSG team are exceptional - how long can this run go on for?
FT: Paris St-Germain 1-1 Arsenal (4-3 on pens)
Arsenal captain Declan Rice speaking to TNT Sports: "Yeah, it's gutting, it's devastating to lose a Champions League final on penalties. Trying to take perspective on how far we've come as a group. Incredible season, gave it absolutely everything, we took the game to penalties. It's a lottery, It's football.
"You can either win or lose on penalties. Some of the best teams ever have lost on penalties and we were on the receiving end of that tonight. We win together, we lose together, I'm so proud of these boys. I can't speak highly enough of everyone. I'm obviously gutted but I'm trying to take perspective. It's been an incredible journey this season. We will be back."
On Gabriel and Eberechi Ezemissing their penalties: "[They are]devastated to miss a penalty in a Champions League final, obviously It's not nice. But we love them and we're with them. It happens in football. They're not going to be the last players to miss penalties in finals.
"Everyone's missed a penalty and without those two this season we wouldn't have won the Premier League, that's for sure. Gabriel, I've ran out of words for him as a person as a player. Ezo has had some crucial goals for us this season. It happens, It's football and it's cruel. We take positives and we keep going."
FT: Paris St-Germain 1-1 Arsenal (4-3 on pens)
Paris St-Germain
Paris St-Germain
Image source, Getty ImagesParis St-Germain midfielder Khvicha Kvaratskhelia: "It's amazing really. The emotions I cannot describe. I am really proud I'm part of this team. We had a difficult season but we were capable. Today we are back-to-back champions.
"In the penalties you need luck but you also have to work on them and we did it. We deserved to win I think because we had many chances to score."
FT: Paris St-Germain 1-1 Arsenal (4-3 on pens)
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, speaking to TNT Sports: "We haven't done it for 22 years [reached the Champions League final], so imagine the second time in our history that we have done it, and we need to recognise the season we had, but at the moment nobody is going to take the pain away from you."
On PSG: "They are a superb team and I congratulate them. Individual quality they have, the manner they are coached, they are a top, top team. You have to go through the emotions and if you're in pain, then go through the pain.
"Think you could do something else, then learn from it. Reflect on that and show the ambition that we want to have again."
On his message to his team: "That I am so proud of them, with this season we have had under the circumstances. Internally, we know what we have been through.
"It is just a privilege to manage this group of players and this team the way they carry this badge and how much they put into it. We got a big one [Premier League] and missed out on the biggest one."
FT: Paris St-Germain 1-1 Arsenal (4-3 on pens)
Understandably, there is heartbreak in north London, BUT they do have a trophy parade tomorrow to celebrate their first Premier League title in 22 years...
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty ImagesFT: Paris St-Germain 1-1 Arsenal (4-3 on pens)
Paris St-Germain
Paris St-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi: "It's not easy to do it back to back, but we did.
"I say every time the same, the coach is the big voice of the club. We follow him, we trust in him. Since day one he told us the team is more important than the player.
"We are really happy to have him. We have created not just a team but a family."
FT: Paris St-Germain 1-1 Arsenal (4-3 on pens)
Matt Upson
Former Arsenal defender on BBC Radio 5 Live at the Puskas Arena
In the last four seasons Arsenal have built. Every year they have got closer. What is next?
FT: Paris St-Germain 1-1 Arsenal (4-3 on pens)
Image source, Getty ImagesArsenal boss Mikel Arteta, speaking to TNT Sports: "Yes, it is very tough to accept when you are so consistent in the competition all the way to the final and in the end you lose the trophy on penalty kicks, so it is a difficult one."
On Arsenal possibly deserving a penalty: "I watch it back and it could easily be a penalty. Especially we see the penalty they gave me this year in the competition. This season, the referee made a decision, and he made a different one with Cristhian Mosquera and that is an important one."
FT: Paris St-Germain 1-1 Arsenal (4-3 on pens)
Matt Upson
Former Arsenal defender on BBC Radio 5 Live at the Puskas Arena
It is such a potent combination of an ambitious club with financial backing and a coach like Luis Enrique, who has experience and who wants to play dynamic free-flowing football.
He has a lovely blend of age in the squad. That team and squad, bar the goalkeeper, has not changed - that shows you the harmony.
PSG retain Champions League after penalty shootout win over Arsenal
Gabriel Magalhaes skied the decisive spot-kick as Arsenal were denied a first Champions League triumph in a penalty shootout defeat by Paris St-Germain, who won the competition for a second successive year.
Mikel Arteta's side lifted the Premier League title for the first time in 22 years last weekend, but missed out on a league and European double in the most heartbreaking of fashions in a hot and humid Puskas Arena.
But in a heartwarming moment, while PSG's players celebrated wildly on the pitch, the French side's captain Marquinhos immediately went to console his Brazilian team-mate Gabriel.
The Gunners had made a dream start to the final in Budapest when Kai Havertz, who scored the winning goal in the Champions League final for Chelsea against Manchester City in 2021, burst away from the PSG backline and rifled the ball into the roof of the net after only six minutes.
But from then on it was PSG's final, as they took control, dominating large chunks of the game, with Gabriel and William Saliba making a number of vital interventions as the Arsenal defence dealt with waves of attacks from Luis Enrique's side.
Arteta had a number of big calls to make for this game and opted to continue with 19-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly in midfield, while he stuck with Cristhian Mosquera, who was filling in at right-back for the injured Ben White and the not fully fit Jurrien Timber.
And it was a clumsy Mosquera tackle that led to PSG's second-half equaliser. The Spaniard was caught out by a clever Khvicha Kvaratskhelia run and brought the winger down in the area, with Ousmane Dembele rolling in the resulting penalty.
Arsenal were forced to defend inside their own half for most of the game as PSG enjoyed 75% of possession and the French side almost won it in normal time with Kvaratskhelia hitting the post and Vitinha going close from the edge of the area.
Arteta completely changed his frontline as his side tired and the renewed energy led to a huge penalty shout when substitute Noni Madueke tangled with Nuno Mendes but referee Daniel Siebert waved away vociferous Arsenal protests that led to both Declan Rice and the manager being booked.
And after an extremely tense extra time it was centre-back Gabriel who missed the decisive penalty as PSG won the shootout 4-3 to retain the Champions League title.
Havertz fires Arsenal into early lead against PSG
Gabriel blazes over penalty as PSG win Champions League
Arteta's gameplan looked to be working perfectly before Dembele levelled the score in the 65th minute and after that it seemed like the trophy was only going to be heading back to France.
The Gunners had no answer for the relentless passing of PSG and had to retreat deep into their own half as the conditions and effort took its toll on the players.
Gabriel being the player to miss the decisive penalty felt particularly harsh given the Brazilian had produced a monstrous display alongside central defensive partner Saliba to keep Arsenal in the final.
After taking the lead Arsenal produced a typically resolute display, but lacked spark going forward and Arteta could only hope that a moment of magic would be enough to see his side snatch a win.
Twenty years ago, Arsenal were beaten 2-1 by Barcelona in their first Champions League final and the hope will clearly be that they don't have to wait as long for their next one.
But it has still been an excellent season for the Gunners, who should still celebrate their Premier League title victory.
Arsenal 'pain' will fuel fire after Champions League heartbreak
Why crucial penalty miss was 'cruel blow' for Arsenal standout Gabriel
Dembele equalises from penalty spot for PSG
PSG continue to dominate under their impressive coach Luis Enrique.
The Spaniard has completely transformed the club since taking over in the summer of 2023 and his style, along with focusing on young elite talent, has seen the Parisians retain Europe's top club competition.
And they did it by refusing to panic after the setback of conceding an early goal, pulling the Arsenal players all over the pitch with their possession-based football.
And while they created few clear-cut chances - mainly down to a combination of numerous poor crosses and Arsenal's organised defensive set-up - it was clear that they would find a way through eventually.
It came 20 minutes into the second half.
Kvaratskhelia, unusually subdued for the opening hour, was the catalyst, bursting into the box with a clever run around the back of Mosquera to win the penalty that Dembele so coolly slotted into the net.
And PSG heads remained cool in the penalty shootout.
Goncalo Ramos and Desire Doue had already scored before Nuno Mendes' effort was saved by Arsenal keeper David Raya, moments after Eberechi Eze had stroked his penalty wide of the post after a stuttering run up.
The next four were all scored before Gabriel cleared the crossbar as PSG became only the second side in the Champions League era to defend their title. The other is Real Madrid, who won three in a row between 2016 and 2018.
It caps another league and European double for PSG and it will be up to Luis Enrique to motivate his impressive side to match Real's hat-trick in the next campaign.
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Watch highlights of Champions League final from 22:20 BST on Saturday on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app.
Manager:Luis Enrique
Formation:4 - 3 - 3
Manager:Mikel Arteta
Formation:4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager:Luis Enrique
Formation:4 - 3 - 3
Manager:Mikel Arteta
Formation:4 - 2 - 3 - 1
High chance of scoring
Medium chance of scoring
Low chance of scoring
Dominant period
Match momentum measures the swing of the match by comparing each team’s threat to see who is more likely to score within that minute. The momentum value is the difference between each team’s most dangerous moment, or team threat, in that minute.
Match momentum measures the swing of the match by comparing each team’s threat to see who is more likely to score within that minute. The momentum value is the difference between each team’s most dangerous moment, or team threat, in that minute.
| Minute | Team with most threat |
|---|---|
Kick off 1' | Arsenal |
2' | Arsenal |
3' | Arsenal |
4' | Arsenal |
5' | Arsenal |
6' | ArsenalGoal |
7' | Paris Saint-Germain |
8' | Paris Saint-Germain |
9' | Paris Saint-Germain |
10' | Paris Saint-Germain |
11' | Paris Saint-Germain |
12' | Paris Saint-Germain |
13' | Paris Saint-Germain |
14' | Paris Saint-Germain |
15' | Paris Saint-Germain |
16' | Paris Saint-Germain |
17' | Paris Saint-Germain |
18' | Paris Saint-Germain |
19' | Paris Saint-Germain |
20' | Paris Saint-Germain |
21' | Paris Saint-Germain |
22' | Paris Saint-Germain |
23' | Paris Saint-Germain |
24' | Paris Saint-Germain |
25' | Paris Saint-Germain |
26' | Arsenal |
27' | Arsenal |
28' | Arsenal |
29' | Arsenal |
30' | Paris Saint-Germain |
31' | Paris Saint-Germain |
32' | Paris Saint-Germain |
33' | Paris Saint-Germain |
34' | Paris Saint-Germain |
35' | Paris Saint-Germain |
36' | Paris Saint-Germain |
37' | Paris Saint-Germain |
38' | Paris Saint-Germain |
39' | Paris Saint-Germain |
40' | Paris Saint-Germain |
41' | Paris Saint-Germain |
42' | Paris Saint-Germain |
43' | Paris Saint-Germain |
44' | Paris Saint-Germain |
45' | Paris Saint-Germain |
45'+1 | Paris Saint-Germain |
45'+2 | Paris Saint-Germain |
45'+3 | Arsenal |
45'+4 | Arsenal |
45'+5 | Paris Saint-Germain |
45'+6 | Arsenal |
Half time 45'+7 | Arsenal |
46' | Paris Saint-Germain |
47' | Paris Saint-Germain |
48' | Arsenal |
49' | Paris Saint-Germain |
50' | Paris Saint-Germain |
51' | Paris Saint-Germain |
52' | Paris Saint-Germain |
53' | Arsenal |
54' | Paris Saint-Germain |
55' | Paris Saint-Germain |
56' | Paris Saint-Germain |
57' | Paris Saint-Germain |
58' | Paris Saint-Germain |
59' | Paris Saint-Germain |
60' | Paris Saint-Germain |
61' | Paris Saint-Germain |
62' | Paris Saint-Germain |
63' | Paris Saint-Germain |
64' | Paris Saint-Germain |
65' | Paris Saint-GermainPenalty |
66' | Paris Saint-Germain |
67' | Arsenal |
68' | Arsenal |
69' | Paris Saint-Germain |
70' | Paris Saint-Germain |
71' | Paris Saint-Germain |
72' | Arsenal |
73' | Paris Saint-Germain |
74' | Paris Saint-Germain |
75' | Paris Saint-Germain |
76' | Arsenal |
77' | Arsenal |
78' | Arsenal |
79' | Arsenal |
80' | Arsenal |
81' | Arsenal |
82' | Paris Saint-Germain |
83' | Paris Saint-Germain |
84' | Paris Saint-Germain |
85' | Arsenal |
86' | Arsenal |
87' | Arsenal |
88' | Paris Saint-Germain |
89' | Paris Saint-Germain |
90' | Paris Saint-Germain |
90'+1 | Paris Saint-Germain |
90'+2 | Paris Saint-Germain |
90'+3 | Paris Saint-Germain |
90'+4 | Paris Saint-Germain |
90'+5 | Paris Saint-Germain |
90'+6 | Arsenal |
90'+7 | Arsenal |
Full time 90'+8 | Arsenal |
UEFA Champions League
All competitions
All competitions
All competitions
Paris SG and Arsenal will be facing each other for the eighth time in all competitions, with their head-to-head record perfectly balanced at two wins each and three draws. However, Paris SG won their last two meetings against Arsenal, beating them home and away in the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League semi-final.
This is the fourth UCL meeting between Paris SG and Arsenal since the start of last season, after a league phase home victory for Arsenal in October 2024 and Paris SG’s two wins in the semi-finals later that season. Only Manchester City and Real Madrid have faced each other more often in the same span (5).
This will be the first ever major European final between clubs from France and England. It will also be the fourth European Cup/UEFA Champions League final between clubs from two different capital cities, after Benfica v Real Madrid (1962), Real Madrid v Partizan Belgrade (1966) and Ajax v Panathinaikos (1971).
Paris SG have prevailed in each of their last five UEFA Champions League knockout ties against English clubs. Manchester City were the last English side to eliminate the Parisians, in the semi-finals of the 2020/21 tournament.
Since the round of 16 last season, 54% of Paris SG’s Champions League matches have been against English clubs (13 out of 24, including the upcoming final). This includes six of the nine knockout ties over the same period (vs Liverpool, Aston Villa and Arsenal last season; vs Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal this season).
Arsenal have been eliminated in their two UCL knockout ties against French sides: vs Monaco in the 2014/15 round of 16 (3-3 agg., away goals rule) and Paris SG in last season’s semi-finals (1-3 agg.).
Paris SG are the first team to reach consecutive UEFA Champions League finals since Liverpool in 2018 and 2019. They are now aiming to become only the second club in the Champions League era (since 1992/93) to successfully defend their title, a feat only previously achieved by Real Madrid when they won three in a row between 2016 and 2018.
Since 2020, Paris Saint-Germain have reached the UEFA Champions League final more times than any other club, appearing in three editions: 2020 (0-1 v Bayern Munich), 2025 (5-0 v Inter Milan), and the upcoming 2026 final against Arsenal.
This will be Arsenal’s second European Cup/Champions League final, 20 years after their first appearance in 2006 (a 1-2 loss to Barcelona). If they win, they will become the second London club to lift the trophy after Chelsea; this would make London the first capital city to boast multiple winners of the competition, and only the third city overall with two title holders after Milan and Manchester.
Arsenal could become the 25th team to win the UEFA Champions League/European Cup, and the third first-time winner of the competition over the last four editions, after Manchester City in 2023 and Paris SG in 2025. The Gunners could also become the seventh English club to lift the trophy – no other country has had more than three different winners.
Arsenal’s two European trophies are the 1970 Fairs Cup and the 1994 Cup Winners Cup. Since then, they have lost their last four major European finals: the 1995 Cup Winners’ Cup (1-2 a.e.t. v Real Zaragoza), the 2000 UEFA Cup (0-0 a.e.t., 1-4 pens v Galatasaray), the 2006 Champions League (1-2 v Barcelona), and the 2019 Europa League (1-4 v Chelsea).
Arsenal have played more matches in UEFA Champions League/European Cup history than any other club without winning the trophy: 225 games, 0 titles.
Arsenal are looking to become the fourth English club to win the top-flight and European Cup/UEFA Champions League in the same season, along with Liverpool (1976-77, 1983-84), Man Utd (1998-99, 2007-08) and Man City (2022-23).
Paris SG are unbeaten in their last 11 UCL knockout matches, winning nine and drawing two. Aston Villa were the last team to beat PSG in the k/o phase of the competition, 3-2 at Villa Park in the 2024/25 quarter-finals.
Paris SG’s 44 goals in 2025/26 is the outright second most scored by a team in a single edition of the UEFA Champions League, behind Barcelona’s 45 in 1999/00.
Arsenal are the only team unbeaten in this season’s UEFA Champions League, with 11 wins and three draws. Their only period trailing in a match in the competition this season occurred during the round of 16 first leg away to Bayer Leverkusen, where they were behind for 43 minutes (1-1 final score).
Arsenal hold the best defensive record in this season’s UEFA Champions League, conceding six goals in 14 matches (0.43 per game). The record for teams with 13+ matches in a single campaign remains 0.31 per game, held by Arsenal (2005/06) and Chelsea (2020/21). Additionally, Arsenal are the only side yet to concede a goal from open play in this season’s knockout stages (6 matches).
This will be Arsenal’s 63rd and final game of 2025/26, more than any team from the big-five European leagues this season. It’s also Arsenal’s most for 46 years, when they played a club-record 70 matches in the 1979/80 campaign.
Over the last two seasons, Paris SG and Arsenal will have both played the same number of matches in all competitions: 121 each, including the upcoming final. Only Real Madrid and Chelsea have played more in that span across clubs from the big-five European leagues.
The Premier League will have at least one representative in the UEFA Champions League final for the sixth time in the last nine seasons. Over the same period, La Liga and Ligue 1 are the next most frequent participants, with at least one club appearing in three separate finals (incl. 2026).
The team that opens the scoring has won each of the last 11 UEFA Champions League finals. Real Madrid were the last side to overcome a deficit to win the trophy, defeating Atlético Madrid 4-1 after extra time in 2014.
Since the inception of the UEFA Champions League in 1992/93, only one of the 33 finals has ended goalless: AC Milan’s victory over Juventus in 2003 (0-0 a.e.t., 3-2 pens). Meanwhile, the last final to be decided by a penalty shootout was in 2016, when Real Madrid defeated Atlético Madrid (1-1 a.e.t., 5-3 pens).
This will be the first ever UEFA Champions League/European Cup final held in Hungary. The Puskás Aréna previously hosted two showpiece UEFA club matches: the UEFA Super Cup between Bayern Munich and Sevilla in 2020 (2-1 a.e.t.) and the UEFA Europa League final between Sevilla and Roma in 2023 (1-1 a.e.t., 4-1 pens).
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has been involved in more goals than any other player in the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League knockout phase (10), scoring seven times and delivering three assists. The Paris SG forward is the first player to score or assist in seven consecutive knockout stage appearances in the same UCL campaign.
Marquinhos will be making his 122nd UEFA Champions League appearance – that’s more than any other Brazilian player in the history of the competition (Roberto Carlos, 120). The Paris captain is the only player to have featured in both of PSG’s two previous UCL finals, against Bayern in 2020 and Inter Milan in 2025.
Paris SG’s Vitinha has made 227 line-breaking passes in the UEFA Champions League this season – 44 more than any other player. No Arsenal players have made 100+ line-breaking passes this season (Declan Rice with the most, 96).
Bukayo Saka has recorded more goal involvements against Ligue 1 opposition than any other country’s opponents in the UEFA Champions League, scoring five goals and delivering three assists in just six matches. This tally includes two goals scored in his three appearances against Paris SG.
Kai Havertz is the only Arsenal player to record multiple goal contributions (goals + assists) in the knockout phase of this season’s UEFA Champions League: a penalty against Bayer Leverkusen and the only goal of the tie against Sporting CP.
Arsenal pair Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus both played in the 2021 UEFA Champions League final for Chelsea and Manchester City respectively. The only players to play for two different English clubs in a European Cup/Champions League final are Frank Gray (Nottingham Forest & Leeds United) and Ashley Cole (Arsenal & Chelsea).
Arsenal’s David Raya has kept nine clean sheets in the UEFA Champions League this season – no goalkeeper has ever recorded 10 shutouts in a single campaign in the competition.
Only three players have made more off-ball runs in behind the opposition’s defensive line in the UEFA Champions League this season than Arsenal’s Viktor Gyökeres (113). Of players to make 200+ off-ball runs in 2025-26, Gyökeres has made the highest percentage of those in behind (56.5%).
This will be Luis Enrique’s third UEFA Champions League final as manager, having previously led both Barcelona and Paris to the title in 2015 and 2025 respectively. His win rate (64%) is the best of any manager with 50+ matches in UCL history.
This will be the fourth European Cup/Champions League final to feature two managers from the same country, and the first since Hansi Flick and Thomas Tuchel met in 2020. This also marks the first time in the competition's history that two Spanish managers will face each other in the final, with Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta experiencing his first major European final, both as player and manager.
