French Giants PSG Retains UCL Title…Defeats Arsenal 4-3 On Penalties 

By Akeem Busari 

In the humid weather, the skies of Budapest received the gift of a ball from Gabriel Malhaganes of Arsenal. It was a kick that gave the trophy to the Parisiens, who defeated Arsenal 4-3 on penalties in the final of the 2026 UEFA Champions league at the Puskas Arena.

The much-anticipated final of the prestigious European football league started slowly and with trepidations in the minds of players and officials of both sides. It was not to last longer than the sixth minute when in a rare attacking move, Kai Havertz gave Arsenal the lead, as he riffled a left-footed shot into roof of the PSG net.

That was the kick needed by PSG to assume dominance and they led the stats in possession, attempts, as they pegged Arsenal back in their half for most of the game. 

When the Arsenal fans started dreaming of the possibility of breaking the agelong jinx of near misses in such high profile games, reigning world best player Ousmane Dembele, showed his hands, as he clinically converted a penalty kick awarded his side after a marauding Kvakraschelia was bundled down in the Arsenal box.

 After the equaliser, it became a tense affair, albeit with PSG dominating play and asking questions of the English champions. Even as play went into extra-time, no further goal was scored by both sides. And then came the lotteries from the spot.

Fabian Ruiz missed his kick for PSG, same as Eberechi Eze of Arsenal. The last, but equally important kick for Arsenal was however riffled into the skies of Budapest by Brazilian Gabriel Malhaganes. Therefore, ensuring that Arsenal continue to dream of a first ever European trophy.