Paris Saint-Germain has secured its place in the final of the 2024-2025 UEFA Champions League after a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Arsenal in the second leg of the semi-final held at Parc des Princes on May 7, 2025. This win allowed PSG to advance with a 3-1 aggregate score, following their earlier 1-0 victory in London.
The match began with Arsenal showing promise, as Declan Rice attempted to score just three minutes in, but his effort was thwarted by Gianluigi Donnarumma, who made a brilliant save against Martin Ødegaard’s shot in the seventh minute. However, it was PSG who struck first. In the 27th minute, Fabian Ruiz capitalized on a defensive error by William Saliba, sending a powerful left-footed shot into the bottom corner, giving the home side a crucial lead.
Despite their early struggles, Arsenal managed to keep the pressure on PSG, but the French side remained resilient. Arsenal's Bukayo Saka nearly equalized in the 64th minute, only to be denied once again by Donnarumma. The Gunners’ frustration continued when Vitinha missed a penalty in the 69th minute, with David Raya making a crucial save.
PSG doubled their lead in the 72nd minute when Achraf Hakimi scored from a close-range shot, assisted by a slick pass from Ousmane Dembélé. This goal seemed to seal the fate of Arsenal, but the visitors responded quickly. Just four minutes later, Saka found the net, scoring Arsenal’s first goal of the match after a cross from Leandro Trossard was deflected into his path.
With the score at 2-1, Arsenal pushed for an equalizer, and Saka had another chance to level the match in the 80th minute, but his shot went wide. The match ended with PSG holding on to their lead, confirming their place in the Champions League final for the second time in their history, having previously reached the final in 2020.
Coach Luis Enrique expressed his delight after the match, stating, "This victory is a testament to our team's hard work and determination. We are excited to face Inter Milan in the final and aim to secure our first European title."
Arsenal's manager, Mikel Arteta, reflected on the match, saying, "We created several opportunities but failed to capitalize on them. We need to learn from this experience and come back stronger next season."
Looking ahead, PSG will face Inter Milan in the final, scheduled for May 31, 2025, at the Allianz Arena in Munich. The anticipation is building as both teams prepare for what promises to be an exciting showdown.
In the build-up to the match, PSG had come off a strong performance, defeating Aston Villa 5-4 on aggregate in the quarter-finals, while Arsenal made headlines by eliminating the reigning champions, Real Madrid, with a stunning 5-1 aggregate win. However, despite their impressive journey, Arsenal's hopes of European glory have come to an end this season.
The history between the two teams added an extra layer of intensity to the match. In their previous encounters, Arsenal had the upper hand with four wins compared to PSG's one, but this time around, PSG demonstrated their growth and resilience.
As the dust settles on this semi-final clash, both teams will reflect on their seasons. PSG, buoyed by their victory, will turn their focus to the final, while Arsenal will look to regroup and strategize for the upcoming season.
With the Champions League final approaching, fans from both sides eagerly await the outcome of this prestigious encounter. Will PSG finally lift the coveted trophy, or will Inter Milan spoil their party? Only time will tell.
