Now that the dust has settled on the 2026 Champions League final, we can look back on the clash between reigning European champions PSG and Premier League champions Arsenal through a fresh lens.
The game was dubbed a clash of two different football cultures, between PSG’s attacking, fast, and expansive football and Arsenal’s more solid and conservative style.
This difference in styles was illustrated by PSG enjoying 75 per cent possession during the game.
PSG won by a fine margin
In the end, the game came down to one kick, as Arsenal captain and stalwart Gabriel missed the decisive penalty. It was an unfortunate end to the season for the Brazilian, who has played such a key role in the Gunners’ successful campaign.
In truth, for much of the match, the game played out as expected. Kai Havertz’s early goal was a shock to the PSG system. Arsenal defended well, but the dynamic Parisians’ attack gradually ground the Gunners down.
It took an Ousmane Dembele penalty kick to level things up. After that, it seemed there would be only one winner over 90 minutes. PSG kept pressing the Arsenal goal, but couldn’t find a breakthrough.
The game’s 30-minute extra-time period produced very little of note, as is often the case with extra-time, players are tired and wary of making a mistake that may prove terminal to their team’s hopes of success.
For all PSG’s domination, in the second half, in particular, the game was decided by such a small margin—the lottery of the heart and soul that is the penalty shootout.
The first final to be decided by penalty kicks in a decade
The 2026 final was the first to be decided by a penalty shootout in a decade. In the competition’s history, dating back to its origins as the European Cup, 12 finals have been settled by a penalty shootout.
The first penalty shootout in the final of the competition came in 1984, as Liverpool claimed victory over Roma after the two teams drew 1-1. The Merseyside giants are also the only team to ever win the competition twice via penalty shootouts.
Their other victory, of course, came in 2005 in what is now regarded as one of the best Champions League finals in history. The Reds were 3-0 down against Milan at half-time. However, they roared back to 3-3, and eventually won the game in a penalty shootout.
It’s hard to compare the 2026 final with that particular extraordinary encounter, as it was a whole different animal. However, the 2026 final produced the most common scoreline in Champions League finals, as seven of the 12 games that have gone to a penalty shootout have ended 1-1.
In many ways, the 2026 Champions League final was the typically cagey encounter between two teams who look to play to their strengths.
It won’t live as long in the memory as many previous Champions League finals. However, it was still a fascinating tactical battle between two of Europe’s best football teams.