Arsenal denied first Champions League title as Gabriel misses decisive penalty against PSG

Gabriel Magalhaes skied the decisive spot-kick as Arsenal were denied a first Champions League triumph in a penalty shootout defeat by Paris St-Germain, who won the competition for a second successive year. Mikel Arteta’s side lifted the Premier League title for the first time in 22 years last weekend, but missed out on a league and European double in the most heartbreaking of fashions in a hot and humid Puskas Arena. The Gunners had made a dream start when Kai Havertz, scorer of Chelsea’s 2021 Champions League winner, burst clear and rifled the ball into the roof of the net after only six minutes, reports the BBC.

But from then on it was PSG’s final. Luis Enrique’s side dominated possession with 75 percent, forcing Arsenal deep into their own half, with Gabriel and William Saliba producing a number of vital interventions. “It felt particularly harsh given the Brazilian had produced a monstrous display alongside central defensive partner Saliba to keep Arsenal in the final,” the match report noted.

PSG equalised in the 65th minute after Cristhian Mosquera was caught out by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and brought the winger down in the area. Ousmane Dembele rolled in the resulting penalty. Arsenal’s defence held firm through waves of PSG attacks, with Kvaratskhelia hitting the post and Vitinha going close from the edge of the area in normal time.

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“After an extremely tense extra time it was centre-back Gabriel who missed the decisive penalty as PSG won the shootout 4-3 to retain the Champions League title,” the report stated. In a heartwarming moment while PSG celebrated wildly, French captain Marquinhos immediately went to console his Brazilian team-mate Gabriel on the pitch. Arteta’s gameplan looked to be working perfectly before Dembele levelled, and after that the trophy seemed destined for France as Arsenal lacked spark going forward.

The defeat comes 20 years after Arsenal lost 2-1 to Barcelona in their first Champions League final. Arteta’s men must now wait again for another shot at European glory, despite an excellent season capped by the Premier League title. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.

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