Paris St.-Germain won the UEFA Champions League for the second consecutive year, defeating Arsenal, 4-3 on penalties, after the teams knotted at 1-1 through the regulation 90 minutes and 30 minutes of extra time at Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary.
Gabriel Magalhães (known simply as Gabriel) missed over the bar on Arsenal's final penalty attempt, giving PSG the victory, one some may argue they didn't deserve. Eberechi Eze had missed wide left on the Gunners' second attempt. Arsenal keeper David Raya saved PSG's third attempt to give his side a chance.
Arsenal scored first in the match, with Kai Havertz converting in the fifth minute from a sharp angle off a run in from the left side. PSG's lone goal came from the spot in the 64th minute, with Ousmane Dembélé potting the penalty earned after Arsenal defender Cristhian Mosquera got into the back of the leg of PSG forward Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who was making a run in the box toward goal.
Arsenal dominated play throughout the 120 minutes, possessing at 73 percent, with 20 shot attempts, but only four managed to be on frame. Defensively, the Gunners thoroughly frustrated PSG in their limited possession, with only five shot attempts, the only one on target being Dembélé's penalty.
My take: Proof positive that the better side on a given day doesn't always win — true in all sports. But despite Arsenal's dominance through 120 minutes, they still only managed four shots on frame after completing nearly 850 passes at 93 percent accuracy. That shows PSG, though passive on the ball, was strong in defending. And the PKs fall completely on Arsenal tactics. Eze's slow, mechanical attempt was ripe for a mishit and what many won't say on Gabriel's deciding strike is that PSG keeper Matvey Safonov was likely to save hit had it been on frame.
THE ASYLUM
Paris St.-Germain repeat as UCL champs
Paris St.-Germain won the UEFA Champions League for the second consecutive year, defeating Arsenal, 4-3 on penalties, after the teams knotted at 1-1 through the regulation 90 minutes and 30 minutes of extra time at Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary.
Gabriel Magalhães (known simply as Gabriel) missed over the bar on Arsenal's final penalty attempt, giving PSG the victory, one some may argue they didn't deserve. Eberechi Eze had missed wide left on the Gunners' second attempt. Arsenal keeper David Raya saved PSG's third attempt to give his side a chance.
Arsenal scored first in the match, with Kai Havertz converting in the fifth minute from a sharp angle off a run in from the left side. PSG's lone goal came from the spot in the 64th minute, with Ousmane Dembélé potting the penalty earned after Arsenal defender Cristhian Mosquera got into the back of the leg of PSG forward Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who was making a run in the box toward goal.
Arsenal dominated play throughout the 120 minutes, possessing at 73 percent, with 20 shot attempts, but only four managed to be on frame. Defensively, the Gunners thoroughly frustrated PSG in their limited possession, with only five shot attempts, the only one on target being Dembélé's penalty.
My take: Proof positive that the better side on a given day doesn't always win — true in all sports. But despite Arsenal's dominance through 120 minutes, they still only managed four shots on frame after completing nearly 850 passes at 93 percent accuracy. That shows PSG, though passive on the ball, was strong in defending. And the PKs fall completely on Arsenal tactics. Eze's slow, mechanical attempt was ripe for a mishit and what many won't say on Gabriel's deciding strike is that PSG keeper Matvey Safonov was likely to save hit had it been on frame.
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