Joined by a black and white picture of him with the Champions League trophy behind him, Gabriel wrote, “It’s painful, but I’m proud of this team and everything we achieved together this season. Thank you to our incredible fans for your support every step of the way. You deserve to celebrate this journey with us and enjoy the parade today!”

Despite missing the penalty, the fact is Gabriel played an outstanding match against PSG in the Champions League final. He was rock-solid, and managed to contain the best attack in Europe alongside his defense teammates. Besides, he got support from manager Mikel Arteta, who explained the decision to let Gabriel take the fifth penalty.

Gabriel vs PSG in the Champions League final

Per Sofascore, Magalhaes had 15 defensive contributions, won 100% of his tackles, had 13 clearances, blocked one shot, made three recoveries and won 100% of both his ground and aerial duels. Basically, there was no way to pass him for PSG.

When you take the penalty out of the equation, Magalhaes could’ve arguably been one of the best players of the Champions League final. Soccer is just a cruel sport some times, but Magalhaes will have time to reassess and deliver for Brazil in the 2026 World Cup.

Arsenal couldn’t end the season on a high

Arsenal won their first Premier League in 22 years and getting the UEFA Champions League for the first time would’ve been a fairytale end to a majestic season. However, the Gunners won’t be able to say they won the double.

Now, Arsenal are 0-2 in Champions League finals, both lost in quite devastating fashion. This one vs. PSG, on penalties. In the first one in 2006, their keeper Jens Lehmann was sent off 18 minutes in, but Arsenal still went ahead, only to concede two goals in the last 15 minutes and lose to Barcelona 1-2.

Mikel Arteta, Arsenal’s manager, explained his decision during the postgame press conference. “Gabriel wanted to take the last penalty. We trained for that moment.” Gabriel ended up missing it the penalty and granted PSG the Champions League title.

Arteta also explained that usually, the penalty takers are Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, and Kai Havertz. All three of them were subbed off by Arteta even before the 90 minutes of regulation against PSG had been played in full.

Arteta blamed the circumstances of the game as cause of Gabriel’s miss

As Arteta recalls, Gabriel didn’t miss a single penalty during training sessions. “Then you have to do these moments, it’s unfortunate not to have the same precision and they (PSG) had, and that’s the reason we haven’t won it (Champions League).”

Basically, the atmosphere, the high-stakes moment, and the tension got the best of Gabriel according to Arteta. However, Arteta himself must be criticized, as even if Gabriel was doing great in training, this was not the scenario or the space to put him in as this was the first penalty Gabriel had ever taken for the team.

Gabriel wasn’t the only one to miss the target during the penalty shootout

While all the blame is going towards Gabriel as it was the decisive penalty, he wasn’t the only one to miss his shot. In fact, there’s an argument to say Eberechi Eze’s missed penalty was even worse.

Eze took a slow, long run-in, then almost paused, made a quick jump and shot. However, PSG’s goalkeeper Matvey Safonov didn’t buy all the shenanigans and stayed focused, without giving away anything. That caused Eze to panic and make his shot almost unbalanced. He missed it wide. While Arteta said Arsenal practiced, missing the goal on two penalties is quite unacceptable.

Following the match, Declan Rice had a message for his teammates: “It’s a lottery. Some of the best teams ever have lost on penalties in finals, and we were on the receiving end.” Rice added. “We gave absolutely everything… we win together, and we lose together,” Declan Rice affirmed. And, for good reason, not becoming champions without losing a match must be incredibly tough.

He also demonstrated why he is the captain of this great team led by Mikel Arteta, showing his support to everyone and not letting anyone down, ensuring that everything they achieved this season would have been possible. “I’m so proud of the boys. We will be back. We love them and we are with them. Without them, we wouldn’t have won the Premier League. We have to be proud.”

“Gabriel, I have run out of words for him as a player and with Eze, he’s got crucial goals for us this season. It’s cruel, but we’ll take the positives and keep going.” Rice concluded.

The devastating penalty shootout

Here, two sides exist: the one that wins and emerges successful from that penalty shootout, and the one that loses it with players who missed their respective spot kicks, which is the case for Gabriel Magalhaes and Eberechi Eze, who, despite being key pieces in the team, could receive a lot of blame from the fans. And also be runner-up after finishing as unbeaten runners-up.

Gabriel Magalhaes shot the last of his team’s penalties over the bar to hand PSG a 4-3 shootout victory. Eberechi Eze also missed an earlier spot kick, but David Raya saved from Nuno Mendes to let Arsenal stay level.

Lucas Beraldo scored the last of PSG’s spot kicks, meaning Arsenal‘s defender had to convert to take it to sudden death, but he missed to spark celebrations from PSG players and fans inside Puskas Arena.

The other side of the coin

PSG, on the other hand, consecrate themselves as back-to-back champions of the competition, a club that chased it for so many years and struggled for years to get over the line in the Champions League despite huge investment from their Qatari owners.

But they have flipped the script under Luis Enrique to become only the second side in the Champions League era to defend the trophy. And without star names from the start, we consider them as such now entirely because of the development given to them by Luis Enrique, such as Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Desire Doue, Vitinha, Nuno Mendes, and even Ousmane Dembele himself, who is currently having his prime.

Following a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain captured the 2025–26 UEFA Champions League title. With two Champions League medals now to his name, Dembele is drawing inevitable comparisons to the game’s greatest players.

At 29 years old, Lionel Messi had already secured four UEFA Champions League titles, all with Barcelona (2006, 2009, 2011, and 2015). By contrast, Cristiano Ronaldo had captured two Champions League medals at that same age—one with Manchester United in 2008 and another with Real Madrid in 2014—before embarking on his historic three-peat in his early 30s.

PSG can continue the dynasty

PSG manager Luis Enrique, who secured another UCL title in his career, has built a remarkably balanced squad in Paris. Blending veteran experience with emerging youth, the Spanish tactician has guided the French powerhouse to back-to-back Champions League titles since taking over the helm in 2023.

Luis Enrique’s first major statement as manager was allowing Kylian Mbappe to depart for Real Madrid. While many pundits believed the superstar’s exit would prove catastrophic, the club has instead captured the consecutive European crowns that ownership originally thought would only arrive with Mbappe on the roster.

In 2025, PSG came agonizingly close to completing one of the most dominant seasons in soccer history, missing out on the FIFA Club World Cup following a defeat to Chelsea. However, this latest Champions League triumph has fans fully believing that the dynasty will continue, with a historic three-peat firmly in sight for 2027.

Ousmane Dembele is the early frontrunner for the Ballon d’Or

By finding the back of the net in Budapest, Ousmane Dembele matched Cristiano Ronaldo in a UCL feat not seen since 2017. With another European trophy in hand, he is now aiming to retain the golden ball for a second consecutive year.

Following a sensational 2025 campaign, Dembele stands as the clear frontrunner to secure the Ballon d’Or once again. If he can replicate this club success with France at the upcoming FIFA World Cup, a starring role on the global stage would make an unassailable case for his second consecutive individual award.

Immediately after Arsenal lost the penalty shootout that left PSG as back to back Champions League winners, Chelsea posted a photo of plenty of trophies, with the Champions League hardware as the main one and a caption that stated “Come and visit London’s Home of Trophies.“

Chelsea are the only team in London to have Champions League triumphs, and they wasted no time to remember that to Arsenal. Also, they cheekily disguised the post as an ad to visit their stadium, Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea double Arsenal in Champions League success in much less time

While Arsenal have a history of being labeled as a ‘big team‘ in England, the fact is that not having Champions League trophies is quite the blow when compared to other big English teams, Chelsea included. The Blues have two Champions League trophies, and they became relevant and perennial contenders in the mid 2000s.

Before that, Chelsea were a humble club with no major aspirations. That changed when Roman Abramovich bought the club. Since then (2003), Chelsea won two Champions Leagues (2012, 2021), and five Premier League titles. Arsenal, since 2003, have lost two Champions League finals, and won just two Premier League titles.

Chelsea also have bragging rights against PSG

PSG became back to back Champions League winners, but Chelsea could’ve also mocked them if they wanted. Last season, PSG and Chelsea played on the 2026 FIFA Club World Cup final. PSG were at the verge of winning all six major trophies possible in a single season and were regarded as easily the best team in the world.

However, in what was an incredible upset, Chelsea dominated PSG from start to finish and won 3-0. Hence, if the Blues also wanted to take a jab at the Parisians, they could. Having said all of this, the 2025-26 season was dreadful for Chelsea, as they ended 10th in the Premier League and will miss European competitions in the next campaign.

However, that’s still a ways ahead in the calendar. Coming off the win over Arsenal, Many players on PSG will now be headed to the 2026 World Cup. When they get back from the biggest tournament in international soccer, they’ll have more than enough time to rest and gear up for the UEFA Super Cup.

The 2026 UEFA Super Cup will be held on Wednesday, August 12th. Just as it did in the Champions League, PSG will vie to repeat as Super Cup champions, as well. Last year, Les Parisiens defeated Tottenham in a penalty shootout after coming back from down 2-0. As for Aston Villa, they have won an European Super Cup before. The Villains will chase their first under the UEFA format.

2026 UEFA Super Cup details

On August 12, PSG and Aston Villa will meet at Stadion Salzburg in Austria. Kick-off is scheduled for 3:00 pm (Eastern Time) and 9:00 pm (Central European Time). Stadion Salzburg, home of FC Salzburg, will host a club final for the first time.

In the country that cradled renowned musicians like Mozart and Beethoven, PSG and Aston Villa have been treated to pleasant tunes. The two sides were victorious in their last visits to Austria. PSG defeated Red Bull Salzburg by a score of 3-0 in a league-phase match during the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League. As for Villa, they took down Red Bull Salzburg in January 2026 in an electric 3-2 showdown, en route to their latest continental conquest.

PSG’s road to Super Cup

PSG finished 11th in the league-phase standings of the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League. They eliminated AS Monaco in the play-off round by an aggregate score of 5-4. In the round of 16, Les Parisiens knocked Chelsea out in dominant fashion by an aggregate score of 8-2. PSG also steamrolled Liverpool in the quarterfinals with back-to-back 2-0 wins at Parc des Princes and Anfield.

In the semifinals, the reigning champions took down Bayern Munich in a final before the final by an aggregate score of 6-5. In the final, PSG needed a penalty shootout to take down Arsenal, who finished as runner-ups without losing a game, and have nothing to show for but a silver, second-place medal.

Aston Villa’s path to UEFA Super Cup

Aston Villa finished second in the league-phase standings of the UEFA Europa League, securing 21 of a possible 24 points. In the round of 16, the Villains knocked out LOSC Lille by an aggregate score of 3-0. In the quarterfinals, Aston Villa routed Bologna by an aggregate score of 7-1.

A 4-0 win in the second leg against Nottingham Forest was more than enough to overcome the 1-0 loss in the first leg, and the Villains were off to the final. In the championship match, the Villains dominated from start to finish, defeating Freiburg by a score of 3-0. Aston Villa scored 17 goals and allowed just 2 during the knockout stages, en route to one of the most dominant performances in UEFA Europa League history.

Mikel Arteta’s side played a total of 15 matches, including the league phase and knockout rounds, prior to the final. They won 11 and drew 4, with the 1-1 draw against PSG in the final being their last match of the campaign.

Kai Havertz gave the London side hope after opening the scoring early in the match. However, Ousmane Dembele equalized from the penalty spot, sending the game into extra time. Arsenal will now have to wait at least one more year in their quest to be crowned European champions.

PSG are back-to-back European champions

Luis Enrique added another Champions League trophy to his collection. This time, once again with PSG, securing an exceptional back-to-back title run. Last season, the Parisian side thrashed Inter, and today it prevailed on penalties against Arsenal.

A back-and-forth match in which neither side held anything back. The dramatic outcome was ultimately decided from the penalty spot, with Gabriel Magalhaes missing the final kick, handing the title to the French team.

Now PSG will face Aston Villa, Europa League champions, in a crucial clash to determine who is truly the best team in Europe. Can PSG go on to secure another title?

Atletico Madrid finished unbeaten but missed out on the title, in an intriguing twist

Despite finishing the 1973–74 European Cup campaign undefeated, Atletico Madrid cruelly missed out on the title against Bayern Munich in a heartbreaking twist of fate. Tied 1–1 after extra time in the final—with no penalty shootouts used to decide a winner back then—the match was forced into a replay just two days later, where a exhausted Atleti side fell 4–0.

Because of nights like that, Atletico remains one of the most popular teams who have never won the competition, despite coming agonizingly close to continental glory.

Dembele favored his right leg and struggled to even balance himself on that leg. The French star had troubles even trying to stabilize his leg. That prompted PSG manager Luis Enrique to sub Dembele off due to injury.

While the actual severity of the injury has not been disclosed, it’s worrisome that the player could not end the match. Alerts go off in France as they could miss a Ballon d’Or winner if the injury lingers all the way through the 2026 World Cup.

Dembele was doubtful before the Champions League final

Dembele was dealing, precisely, with a right calf muscle injury prior to this game. He first felt the discomfort in PSG’s final game of Ligue 1 vs. Paris FC. While it’s not clear if Dembele reinjured himself, the fact that Dembele was nursing the same leg he injured this time around might call for speculation awaiting on the official statement.

Dembele has a long list of muscle injuries in his career. However, this came in the worst moment possible, as it was in a crucial match vs. Arsenal with the Champions League on the line, and also just under 12 days away from the start of the 2026 World Cup.

PSG had to change schemes

While not in the literal sense of the word, as the 4-3-3 remained, the fact that Dembele left the field forced Luis Enrique to change the style of play, as Goncalo Ramos is much more of a traditional nine.

Dembele allows PSG to play freely, with a more dribbling and speedy-oriented style. Ramos is a typical center forward that will have to be nurtured with goalscoring opportunities.

The French forward’s physical effort was so intense that a potential muscle injury may need to be assessed after the match. Dembele has been one of the key figures in Luis Enrique’s squad and remains a crucial part of PSG’s attack.

With only a few days remaining before the start of the World Cup, Didier Deschamps is hoping to have all of his players at full fitness for France. However, this incident could potentially alter those plans moving forward.

The UCL Final scoring was opened by Kai Havertz shortly after kickoff, while Dembele leveled the match from the penalty spot. Following the 1-1 draw in regular time, this crucial game has gone into extra time.

Dembele is a key player for France

France will kick off their 2026 World Cup campaign in Group I, making their debut against Senegal on June 16th in New York, before facing Iraq in Philadelphia on June 22nd and Norway in Boston on June 26th.

If Les Bleus want to break down these tough defenses, they will rely heavily on Ousmane Dembele as their ultimate offensive spark; his explosive pace and elite 1v1 dribbling on the wing are vital for tearing apart backlines and generating chances for the squad.

After Kai Havertz joined Cristiano Ronaldo on an exclusive list of historic final goalscorers with his opener against Paris Saint-Germain, Ousmane Dembele also carved out his own piece of history with a second-half equalizer against Arsenal.

Per Spanish soccer data analyst MisterChip, Dembele became the only player since 2017 to score in a Champions League final as the reigning Ballon d’Or recipient—a legendary feat previously achieved by Cristiano Ronaldo during Real Madrid’s triumph over Juventus.

Can Ousmane Dembele win back-to-back Ballon d’Ors?

Dembele has put together a more discreet season so far compared to the sensational campaign that earned him his first Ballon d’Or. Nevertheless, his crucial goal in the Champions League final could very well pave the way for him to contend for back-to-back accolades.

In a FIFA World Cup year, the prestigious international tournament typically serves as the defining competition that journalists and judges evaluate for individual awards.

In 2023, Lionel Messi was awarded the Ballon d’Or largely due to leading Argentina to a FIFA World Cup victory. Erling Haaland was regarded as a formidable contender after winning the historic treble with Manchester City, yet voters ultimately decided that the World Cup title carried far more weight in the final decision.

As of today, it appears the 2026 FIFA World Cup—hosted across Mexico, Canada, and the United States—will ultimately decide who claims the next golden ball, with France and Ousmane Dembele firmly positioned as top contenders for global glory.

Behind the spectacle surrounding the showdown, the UEFA UCL opening ceremony requires a mix of stage designers, lighting engineers, choreographers, broadcast teams, security staff and event coordinators.

Every element is timed to the second, ensuring the performance aligns with global television broadcasts. What once was a simple pre-match presentation has evolved into a large-scale entertainment showcase that blends soccer and music.

How many crew members work on the Champions League final show?

Around 500 to 600 crew members are typically involved in the UEFA Champions League final opening ceremony. The scale of the operation turns a short pre-match performance into a massive live production coordinated by UEFA. This year, The Killers opened the pregame show with the song “When You Were Young.”

In previous editions, the popular organization has confirmed that more than 1000 people have been directly involved in producing the opening show alone, separate from matchday operations and security teams.

According to documented Union of European Football Associations final production structures, the opening ceremony requires a wide network of specialists working simultaneously, including:

• stage designers
• lighting technicians
• choreographers
• sound engineers
• camera operators
• broadcast directors
• production assistants

How is the UEFA Champions League final opening ceremony produced?

The Champions League final opening ceremony is produced through a coordinated collaboration between UEFA, broadcast partners and international live-event production companies.

The process begins months before kickoff with creative planning, concept design and technical mapping of the stadium. Specialist production companies transform the pitch into a temporary concert-grade stage.

This includes installing LED platforms, sound systems, pyrotechnics, lighting rigs and broadcast infrastructure. One of the key production partners frequently involved in recent editions is Balich Wonder Studio. In 2026, it all led to a fantastic show in which The Killers performed four songs.

How long does it take to prepare the Champions League final show?

Preparation for the Champions League final opening ceremony usually takes several weeks in total, with the most intensive stadium setup phase lasting around 5 to 10 days before the match.

While planning and creative development can stretch over months, the physical transformation of the stadium begins shortly before the final. During this period, production teams install the stage, test lighting systems and calibrate sound.

In the final days before kickoff, full run-throughs are completed to synchronize every element of the show with broadcast timing, ensuring the performance ends just minutes before players walk onto the pitch. The Killers’ 2026 pregame show gave plenty to talk about, with positive reactions on social media.

Is the Champions League final opening ceremony live or pre-recorded?

The UEFA Champions League final opening ceremony is performed live inside the stadium, not pre-recorded. Every performance element happens in real time in front of both the crowd and global television audience.

Although some promotional visuals or short video segments may be pre-produced and displayed before the ceremony begins, the actual artistic performance is executed live and tightly synchronized with the broadcast feed.