On Saturday evening, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) faced Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League final. This marked PSG’s second appearance in the final’s history, after their previous loss against Bayern Munich in the 2019/20 season. For Inter, this was their second final in three years, following a defeat to Manchester City, and their seventh overall participation in the prestigious event.
The two teams had never met before in European competitions, making this match particularly exciting. Both clubs were eager to write a new chapter in their storied histories with a victory on the grand stage of European football.
Starting Line-ups
PSG:
- Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Donnarumma
- Defenders: Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Nuno Mendes
- Midfielders: Vitinha, João Neves, Fabian Ruiz
- Forwards: Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembélé, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
Inter Milan:
- Goalkeeper: Yann Sommer
- Defenders: Benjamin Pavard, Francesco Acerbi, Alessandro Bastoni
- Midfielders: Denzel Dumfries, Nicolò Barella, Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Federico Dimarco
- Forwards: Marcus Thuram, Lautaro Martinez
The match was officiated by a Romanian refereeing team, with Istvan Kovacs as the main referee and assistant referees Mihai Marica and Ferencz Tunyogi. Cătălin Popa served as the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).
Match Summary
The game kicked off in Munich with excitement in the air. Just 12 minutes in, PSG took the lead when Hakimi scored a close-range goal, taking advantage of a defensive lapse to find the net effortlessly. Momentum swung in favor of PSG, and by the 20-minute mark, they were up 2-0, with Desire Doue finding the goal after a swift counterattack.
PSG dominated possession following their early successes. Inter Milan struggled to create meaningful opportunities, and their frustration grew when Marcus Thuram nearly clawed one back with a powerful header that narrowly missed the target at the 37-minute mark.
The first half concluded with PSG holding a commanding 2-0 lead. As the teams returned for the second half, Inter needed to regroup and develop a more cohesive strategy to challenge the French side.
However, PSG continued their offensive onslaught. In the 64th minute, Desire Doue scored again, marking his second goal of the match and extending the lead to 3-0. Inter’s situation worsened when Kvaratskhelia capitalized on a defensive error, adding another goal for PSG in the 73rd minute, making it 4-0.
With the match nearing its conclusion, Mayulu rounded off PSG’s scoring spree in the 87th minute, bringing the tally to five. Inter Milan struggled to contain their opponent, with their defense in disarray throughout the match.
Finally, the whistle blew, and the game ended with PSG winning decisively 5-0. The victory not only secured their first Champions League title but also marked a significant moment in their club history. PSG’s dominance in this final showcased their growth as a footballing powerhouse, while Inter faced disappointment once again in their quest for European glory.
