The Paris Saint-Germain secured their second consecutive Champions League title on Saturday evening, overcoming Arsenal in a dramatic penalty shootout. The match saw Ousmane Dembélé rise to the occasion with a crucial goal, while Joao Neves dominated the midfield with relentless energy. Here’s a breakdown of the players’ performances.
how the Paris defenders fared against arsenal’s attack
Matveï Safonov (5/10): Struggled to contain Kai Havertz’s early strike but redeemed himself with several crucial saves later in the game. His best moment came in the 74th minute with a sharp reaction stop.
Achraf Hakimi (5/10): Showed signs of recovery from injury with high-intensity runs early on, though he failed to make a significant impact on the right flank.
Marquinhos (5/10): Committed an error leading to Arsenal’s opening goal in the 6th minute. His performance was uneven, alternating between strong interventions and moments of invisibility. However, his leadership in the closing stages helped stabilize the defense.
Willian Pacho (4/10): Missed the initial clearance that led to Arsenal’s first goal but redeemed himself with solid aerial duels and decent recovery in the second half.
Nuno Mendes (5/10): Faced physical challenges in the first half and struggled with precision. Improved significantly in the second period, contributing more effectively to the attack.
midfield battle: neves and his teammates’ standout moments
Joao Neves (7/10): The engine of the team, Neves fought for every loose ball, won key duels, and completed the full 120 minutes. His tireless work rate and positioning made him the standout performer in midfield.
Fabian Ruiz (6/10): Played a steady game with accurate positioning and passing. His contributions in duels were consistent, though not spectacular.
Vitinha (5/10): Started nervously but later added tempo to the game. His second-half strike narrowly missed the target, and he remained below his usual standards overall.
psg’s attacking lineup: who made the difference?
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (5/10): Initially contained by Arsenal’s defense, he drew a foul in the box to win a penalty. His influence waned after halftime, and he was the first attacker substituted.
Ousmane Dembélé (6/10): The hero of the night. Though not always in the right positions, he delivered when it mattered most, scoring the decisive penalty in the shootout with composure.
Désiré Doué (7/10): A constant threat, Doué provided the most dangerous chances. His calm demeanor shone through as he converted a penalty with ice in his veins.
Bradley Barcola (5/10): Came off the bench to stretch the play and nearly created an early chance. His impact diminished as the game progressed.
Luis Enrique (5/10): Made a tactical decision by starting Hakimi, which paid off. He spent much of the game instructing his defense, who faced a tough evening against Arsenal’s forwards.