PSG has reached the pinnacle of European football once again, securing their second consecutive Champions League trophy after a dramatic penalty shootout win against Arsenal. While Ousmane Dembélé provided the clinical spark for the equalizer, it was the tireless work of Joao Neves in midfield that anchored the Parisian effort. Here is how the players performed in this historic final.
Defensive line and goalkeeper
Matveï Safonov: 5
The goalkeeper was left with little chance on Kai Havertz’s opening goal, which was struck from point-blank range. He showed immense courage during a collision in the 26th minute and remained alert throughout the second half, making a crucial intervention in the 74th minute to keep his side in the hunt.
Achraf Hakimi: 5
Returning from a recent injury layoff, the Moroccan international displayed impressive fitness with several high-intensity sprints early in the contest. Despite his energy, he found it difficult to create clear-cut opportunities from the right wing.
Marquinhos: 5
A lapse in concentration led to a poor clearance that gifted Arsenal their first goal in the 6th minute. The Brazilian captain had an inconsistent night, alternating between solid interventions and moments of invisibility, though his veteran presence helped calm the nerves during the final minutes.
Willian Pacho: 4
The Ecuadorian defender was unable to track back in time to prevent the English side’s opener. While he was dominant in the air and started the match strongly, a few second-half errors in focus hindered his overall rating.
Nuno Mendes: 5
The left-back struggled to make an impact offensively during the first 45 minutes, often being outmuscled in physical duels. He improved significantly after the break, showing much more intent and precision in his overlapping runs.
Midfield and creativity
Vitinha: 5
He mirrored the team’s shaky start, appearing somewhat hesitant. While he eventually settled into a rhythm and nearly found the net with a powerful second-half strike, it was a quieter performance than usual for the playmaker.
Joao Neves: 7
A warrior in the center of the pitch. Neves contested every loose ball and was exemplary in his physical duels. His stamina and defensive work rate made him the standout midfielder, earning him the right to play every single minute of the final.
Fabian Ruiz: 6
The Spaniard delivered a characteristically disciplined performance. His tactical positioning and passing accuracy were vital, and he provided a physical presence that helped disrupt the opposition’s flow.
The attacking force
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia: 5
He found himself closely marked by Mosquera for much of the night. Although he successfully drew a foul to win a penalty, he was largely kept quiet by the Arsenal defense and was the first offensive player to be replaced by the coach.
Ousmane Dembélé: 6
Dembélé proved to be the man for the big occasion. Despite receiving limited service in dangerous areas, he stepped up to convert a high-pressure penalty, showing great mental strength in a hostile atmosphere.
Désiré Doué: 7
The most dangerous player in the Parisian attack. He nearly registered an assist for Ruiz in the 13th minute and was a constant thorn in the side of the Arsenal defense with his dribbling. He capped off a brilliant performance with a composed penalty in the shootout.
Bradley Barcola: 5
Introduced to provide pace and exploit the depth of the pitch, he nearly scored with one of his first touches. However, his influence on the game faded as the match moved into the closing stages.
Management
Luis Enrique: 5
The manager’s decision to trust Hakimi from the start was justified by the player’s physical output. He spent the evening actively directing his backline, which faced significant pressure throughout a challenging night in the Champions League.
