Paris Saint-Germain are finally champions of Europe. In a stunning 5–0 demolition of Inter Milan at the Allianz Arena, PSG not only claimed their first UEFA Champions League title but did so by setting a record for the biggest winning margin in a final in the competition’s 69-year history.
After more than a decade of Qatari ownership, big spending, and high-profile stars, it was a new-look PSG under Luis Enrique that delivered the long-awaited prize — not with galactico signings, but with cohesion, youth, and purpose.
At the heart of the historic night was 19-year-old French forward Désiré Doué, who emerged as the breakout star. He became only the third teenager to score in a Champions League final — after Patrick Kluivert and Carlos Alberto — and played a part in three of the five goals. Doué struck twice, assisted one, and lit up the pitch before being substituted in the second half.
The rout began in the 12th minute when Vitinha slipped a precise pass into the box, and Doué unselfishly teed up Achraf Hakimi, who tapped home against his former club. Hakimi’s subdued celebration contrasted sharply with the eruption from PSG’s fans.
Just eight minutes later, PSG doubled their lead. Doué’s shot from the right deflected off Inter’s Federico Dimarco, wrong-footing goalkeeper Yann Sommer and finding the net. Doué added his second in the 63rd minute, coolly finishing a one-on-one to put the result beyond doubt.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, a symbol of PSG’s smarter recruitment, struck the fourth with 17 minutes to go, and teenage substitute Senny Mayulu added the fifth just two minutes after coming on — becoming the fourth teenager to score in a Champions League final.
A Club Redeemed
This victory redefines PSG’s legacy. Long seen as a flashy contender that crumbled under pressure, the Parisian club now stands alongside Europe’s elite, not through branding or finances, but by proving it on the pitch.
For Luis Enrique, the win vindicates his shift from superstar-centric squads to a more balanced, team-first philosophy. And for Marquinhos, the long-serving captain who lifted the trophy amid fireworks and golden confetti, it was a moment of redemption after years of near-misses and heartbreak.
Fittingly, the triumph came in Munich — the very city where Bayern denied PSG in the 2020 final. Back then, a tearful Neymar sat alone in a silent stadium, closed to fans due to the pandemic. This time, thousands of PSG supporters filled the stands, lighting flares, waving flags, and celebrating a night that will live forever in the club’s history.
From perennial underachievers to kings of Europe — PSG finally delivered when it mattered most.
