PSG claim back-to-back Champions League titles after dramatic shootout win over Arsenal
Paris Saint-Germain have returned to the French capital this afternoon as back-to-back UEFA Champions League winners, greeted by tens of thousands of jubilant fans gathering at the Eiffel Tower and along the Champs-Élysées for an official victory parade. The club secured its second consecutive European title on Saturday, defeating Arsenal 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in Budapest, capping a season that has cemented its status among football’s elite.
Celebrations erupted across France immediately after the final whistle, with Paris transformed into a sea of red and blue. Over 20,000 supporters flooded the Champs-Élysées on Saturday night, lighting flares and chanting for star players, including Ousmane Dembélé, whose name was repeatedly invoked by the crowd as a potential Ballon d’Or contender. The festivities, however, spiraled into unrest in at least 15 cities, prompting a heavy police response. French authorities reported 780 arrests nationwide, with 57 officers injured—most suffering minor wounds—as rioters set fires, vandalized shops, and, in one instance, attempted to storm a Paris police station. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez confirmed the figures, calling the violence "unacceptable" while acknowledging the overwhelmingly peaceful nature of the majority of celebrations.
The parade, expected to culminate on the Champ-de-Mars beneath the Eiffel Tower, marks the first public appearance of PSG’s squad since their triumph. Fans have already begun lining the route hours in advance, some declaring their devotion to the club as a defining passion—second only to family for some. The event follows a night of mixed emotions in London, where Arsenal, despite clinching the Premier League title earlier in the day, held a separate parade to celebrate their domestic success, underscoring the contrasting fortunes of the two clubs.
PSG’s victory, achieved in a tense, tightly contested final, has drawn comparisons to the club’s 2025 Champions League win, reinforcing its reputation as a dominant force in European football. Analysts note the team’s resilience, particularly in overcoming Arsenal’s disciplined defense through a penalty shootout, with goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma’s saves proving decisive. The result also extends PSG’s unbeaten streak in major finals to three, a record that has fueled debates about the club’s place in football history.
As the celebrations unfold, attention is already shifting to the implications for PSG’s future. With key players like Kylian Mbappé and Dembélé at the peak of their careers, the club’s Qatari ownership is expected to push for further investment to sustain its European ambitions. Meanwhile, Arsenal, despite their domestic dominance, face renewed scrutiny over their ability to convert Premier League success into Champions League glory—a challenge that now looms larger after their second consecutive final defeat to PSG.
PSG claim back-to-back Champions League titles after dramatic shootout win over Arsenal
- liberation
- france24


