Real Madrid became the first club to complete back-to-back Champions League title wins in 2017 and 2018. PSG beat Arsenal 4-3 on penalties in the final in Budapest on Saturday evening (30/5) to become the second club to reach that feat.

It also means Luis Enrique has become only the fifth coach to lift the trophy three times, following Paris Saint-Germain’s victory in 2026. However, five-time champion Carlo Ancelotti still holds the record as the most successful coach in European Cup history.

Arsenal, who eleven days ago celebrated their first Premier League title in 22 years, looked set for a maiden triumph on Europe’s biggest stage after Kai Havertz’s sixth-minute opener. 

PSG’s Ousmane Dembele equalised with a penalty in the 65th minute, taking the match to a shootout.

This was the eighth time a shootout has been needed to settle the title match since the European Cup was rebranded as the Champions League in 1992.

“I’m mixed. Excitement, fatigue – everything,” Enrique said after the game.

“But this is the best moment of the season. We are still champs, two in a row, it’s amazing. Maybe today both teams deserved to win, but the way we played the whole season, 

“I think we deserve to win the Champions League. We are very happy and trying to be there next year, why not?”

PSG goalscorer Ousmane Dembele. Photo: Facebook/UEFA Champions League

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said it was difficult to lose the game on penalties. “It is very tough to accept when you are so consistent in the competition all the way to the final, and at the end you lose the trophy on penalty kicks, so it is a difficult one.

“I’m so proud of the team. This season that we have. They’ve given us so much joy. It’s just a privilege to manage this group of players. We got a big one (the Premier League), and we missed the biggest one.”

OFM Sport/Ilse Smalberger dg