PSG Triumph Over Arsenal to Reach Champions League Final 🎯
Under the bright lights of the Parc des Princes and with over 47,000 fans creating a thunderous atmosphere, Paris Saint-Germain booked their place in the UEFA Champions League final with a commanding 2-1 victory over a spirited Arsenal side. The second leg, played on Wednesday, 7 May 2025, at 15:00 BST, saw PSG progress 3-1 on aggregate, setting up a tantalising final clash with Inter Milan.
⚽ Match Summary
Despite Arsenal’s energetic opening, PSG’s experience and clinical edge proved decisive. Goals from Fabián Ruiz and Achraf Hakimi sent the Parisians through, while Bukayo Saka’s late strike gave the Gunners a glimmer of hope that ultimately faded as time ticked away.
| Team | Goals | Scorers |
|---|---|---|
| Paris Saint-Germain 🇫🇷 | 2 | Fabián Ruiz (27’), Achraf Hakimi (72’) |
| Arsenal 🇬🇧 | 1 | Bukayo Saka (76’) |
📊 Match Stats at a Glance
- Possession: Arsenal 54% – PSG 46%
- Shots on Target: Arsenal 6 – PSG 5
- Total Shots: Arsenal 14 – PSG 11
- Pass Accuracy: Arsenal 87% – PSG 84%
- Fouls: Arsenal 10 – PSG 12
- Attendance: 47,511
🧠 Tactical Breakdown
Arsenal began with ferocious intent, and within minutes Declan Rice narrowly missed the opener with a glancing header. Martin Ødegaard and Gabriel Martinelli both forced world-class saves from Gianluigi Donnarumma, who stood like a wall between the posts.
PSG were uncharacteristically passive in the early exchanges, but their counter-attacking threat was always looming. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia rattled the post with a curling effort, and just before the half-hour mark, Fabián Ruiz capitalised on a defensive error to smash home a thunderous opener — his first ever Champions League goal. The stadium erupted. 🔥
In the second half, a handball from Myles Lewis-Skelly gifted PSG a chance to double their lead from the spot, but David Raya denied Vitinha’s tame penalty. Still, the momentum was shifting. Moments later, Hakimi surged forward, exchanged passes with substitute Ousmane Dembélé, and buried a superb finish into the far corner.
Bukayo Saka pulled one back with a composed finish after a deflected cross, but his later miss — blazing over from close range — summed up the Gunners’ night. Despite their flair and tenacity, it simply wasn’t enough against a PSG side playing with steel and style.
🧩 Key Player Performances
- Gianluigi Donnarumma: A towering presence in goal. His early saves kept PSG afloat and set the tone for their resilience.
- Fabián Ruiz: Broke the deadlock with a sensational strike. Controlled the tempo in midfield.
- Achraf Hakimi: Relentless on the flank. His goal was the dagger in Arsenal’s hopes.
- Bukayo Saka: Arsenal’s brightest spark. Scored a fine goal but will rue that crucial miss.
🌍 What’s Next?
PSG now look to May 31st, when they face Inter Milan in Munich for the Champions League crown. For Arsenal, the wait for European glory goes on, but their young squad showed enough to suggest they’ll be back at this stage again soon.
🎙️ Final Whistle
It was a night of drama, precision and heartbreak. PSG’s transformation under Luis Enrique continues, while Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal will need to regroup and refocus. The Champions League final awaits — and Paris marches on. 🏆
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