PSG see off Arsenal to set up UCL final against Inter

Paris Saint-Germain secured their place in the UEFA Champions League final with a 2-1 victory over Arsenal in the second leg of their semi-final tie at the Parc des Princes.

The win progresses the Parisians to 3-1 aggregate, with Luis Enrique’s side making their second final in many years in the Elite competition on Wednesday night.

PSG seized control in the first half in an atmosphere at the Parc des Princes charged to the fullest. The PSG ultras in the Virage Auteuil manifest their presence with a cauldron of noise.

The PSG ultras in the Virage Auteuil manifest their presence with a cauldron of noise(Image credit: Getty Images)

PSG, carrying a 1-0 lead from the first leg courtesy of Ousmane Dembele’s early goal, started with the intention of leveraging on their home advantage.

Arsenal, however, aimed to overturn the deficit but struggled to settle early on, despite being bolstered by the return of Thomas Partey from suspension.

The host struck in the 27th minute after a fluid move saw Khvicha Kvaratskhelia drift infield, drawing defenders to himself before slipping a precise pass to Fabian Ruiz.

The left-sided midfielder, unmarked in the box, made no mistake by hitting a low shot past David Raya to make it 1-0 on the night, taking the aggregate scoreline to 2-0 to silence the travelling fans and gave PSG a much-needed cushion.

Brian Ruiz, unmarked in the box, made no mistake by hitting a low shot past David Raya to make it 1-0 on the night(Image credit: Getty Images)

The Gunners responded promptly, with Gabriel Martinelli testing Gianluigi Donnarumma with a curling effort, but the Italian shot-stopper was equal to it.

PSG then took control of the game, with the midfield trio of Joao Neves, Vitinha, and Ruiz dictating play, cutting all passing lanes from Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard.

PSG were able to hold onto the lead with a crucial intervention from Neves to deny Mikel Merino a clear shot just before the half-time.

Arsenal started the second half bravely with a renewed spirit, pressing higher upfield to disrupt PSG’s tempo. They started to reap some benefits, with Bukayo Saka’s cross narrowly slipping away from Merino, but PSG defender Marquinhos held firm.

PSG’s Achraf Hakimi, left, celebrates with teammates after scoring his sides second goal during the Champions League semifinal, second leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

The momentum of the game shifted in the 67th minute when the hosts were awarded a penalty after the referee was told to check the pitchside monitor to review a possible handball in the Gunners’ box, ending with the official pointing to the spot.

However, David Raya redeemed himself, diving low to his left to keep Vintinho’s poor kick out for a corner to keep Arsenal’s hope alive.

The spirited start in the second half for Arsenal did not last long, as Partey again failed to deal with the danger, allowing Achraf Hakimi an opportunity to meet Kvaratskhelia’s pass and combine with substitute Ousmane Dembele before hitting a beautiful curler to finish to send the scoreline to 2-0(3-0 on aggregate)

Achraf Hakimi scored the second goal for PSG against Arsenal in the second leg of the UCL semis(Image credit: Getty Images)

Arsenal pulled one back in the 76th minute, as Leandro Trossard won the ball and found Saka, who steered it beyond Donnarumma.

The English international should have doubled his tally on the night with a great chance to pull his team level on the evening when faced with a gaping goal, but he missed the target.

After 5 minutes of added time, the French champions held on quite comfortably, leaving the scoreline 3-1 on aggregate in favour of PSG.

The convincing win set up a meeting in Munich with Inter at the end of the month.