Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) of France's Ligue 1 once again ascended to the European throne after defeating England's Arsenal in a penalty shootout.
PSG and Arsenal were locked at 1-1 through extra time in the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League (UCL) final held at Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary, on Saturday (local time). PSG then prevailed 4-3 in the penalty shootout to claim the trophy. Having lifted their first UCL title last year, PSG successfully defended their crown.
PSG ended the season with a "double," winning both Ligue 1 and the UCL. The club was eliminated in the round of 32 in the French Cup.
Lee Kang-in did not step onto the pitch and watched his team win from the bench. Lee was also confined to the bench during last season's final in this competition. Still, Lee has been fortunate when it comes to silverware. He has experienced 12 trophies at PSG, and counting only major trophies, he has won seven in total — three Ligue 1 titles, two French Cups, and two UCL titles. Lee, who recorded 4 goals and 5 assists in 39 matches this season, will join Hong Myung-bo's national team late and compete in the 2026 North and Central American World Cup.
Arsenal, who ended a 22-year title drought in the English Premier League (EPL), settled for runners-up in the UCL, where they reached the final for the first time in 20 years. Had Arsenal won, English football would have achieved the feat of sweeping all three major European club competitions. Earlier, Aston Villa won the Europa League and Crystal Palace claimed the Conference League title.
Arsenal took the lead in the sixth minute of the first half through Kai Havertz, who capitalized on a defensive mistake. Near the halfway line, PSG defender Marquinhos attempted to clear the ball, but it ricocheted off Arsenal's Leandro Trossard. Havertz collected the loose ball, dribbled solo to the left of the goal, and fired a left-footed shot from a tight angle to find the net.
PSG leveled the score in the 65th minute through a penalty kick converted by Ousmane Dembele. PSG forward Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, cutting in from the left, was brought down by a deep tackle from Arsenal center-back Cristhian Mosquera, and the referee pointed to the spot without hesitation.
Both teams battled fiercely, but no further goals came in extra time, and the match went to a penalty shootout. Arsenal's second taker Eberechi Eze and PSG's third taker Nuno Mendes both missed, keeping the contest tightly balanced. When Arsenal's final taker Magalhaes sent his shot over the crossbar, PSG sealed back-to-back UCL titles.
