After months of hostilities, heartbreaks and heroic performances across Europe, the stage is set for one final battle.
Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain go head-to-head in Budapest tonight with Champions League glory on the line.
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After months of drama, unforgettable comebacks and elite European football, the continent’s biggest club competition comes down to one final night.
For Arsenal, it is a chance to end a two-decade wait for a return to the summit of European football and finally capture the one major trophy that has eluded the North London club throughout its history. Twenty years after the heartbreak of Paris in 2006, Mikel Arteta’s side stands one victory away from writing a new chapter.
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Standing in their way is a formidable Paris Saint-Germain team determined to cement its growing dominance on the European stage. The French champions arrive as defending champions and favourites, armed with one of the most dangerous attacking units in world football and guided by the tactical brilliance of Luis Enrique.
The final also offers a fascinating battle of styles and minds. Arteta’s disciplined, defensively resilient Arsenal side faces Enrique’s fluid, attack-minded PSG outfit in the first-ever Champions League final contested by two Spanish managers.
READ ALSO: PSG vs Arsenal: Twenty years after heartbreak, Gunners chase history in Budapest
Across Nigeria and beyond, millions of football fans will be watching closely. From packed viewing centres in Lagos and Kano to living rooms in Abuja and Port Harcourt, supporters will be glued to their screens as two of Europe’s finest teams battle for club football’s ultimate prize.
Will Arsenal complete an unbeaten Champions League campaign with a historic triumph? Can PSG retain their crown and establish a new European dynasty?
Stay with PREMIUM TIMES for minute-by-minute updates, key moments and much more from what promises to be a memorable night in Budapest.
Kickoff is 5.00 p.m.
Kickoff… Arsenal get the game underway in Budapest
PSG have named the same ten outfield players that started last season’s final against Inter Milan… Can they do the same same magic against Arsenal this evening
Goal!!! Arsenal take the lead in Budapest
Kai Havertz with crucial opening goal in Budapest
Havertz scored the winning goal for Chelsea the last time they won the Champions League… He has put Arsenal ahead against PSG
Mikel Arteta and Arsenal remain unbeaten heading into this final game, with 11 wins from their 14 games
PSG pushing for an equalizer and they win a corner kick already taken care of by the Arsenal defence
PSG dominating ball possession with almost 78% but Arsenal have the lead thanks to Kai Havertz sixth minute goal
Quick Fact: The last time Arsenal played in the Champions League final 20 years ago, they scored first but eventually lost 2-1 to Barcelona
End-to-end action.. both teams take a water break to cook this down a bit
Many celebrities in Budapest for the final including former Arsenal coach Arsenal Wenger
Game back on after the PSG keeper is treated after a knock
40 minutes gone : Arsenal still holding on to slim 1-0 lead over PSG in Budapest
Six minutes added time for the first half
PSG 0-1 Arsenal
Half Time: PSG 0-1 Arsenal
Kai Havertz with the only goal of the game so far
Second half already underway in Budapest
Mosquera booked for time-wasting barely a minute after the restart.
Free kick for PSG in a promising position but David Raya makes routine save
BIG DESICION: PSG win a penalty kick though still being reviewed
Check over… Penalty kick for PSG
GOAL!!!Dembele with the equalizer for PSG from the penalty spot
The Frenchman scores his 20th goal of a stellar campaign
PSG 1-1 Arsenal
Arteta immediately rings the changes. Timber is on for Mosquera, who gave away the penalty, and Gyokeres replaces Odegaard.
So, Havertz should move deeper
Another water break for both teams….
Into the final 20 minutes.
PSG has enjoyed the upper hand in the game with nine attempts compared to Arsenal’s three while the French side has three. Shits on target, the Gunners have just one
83 minute still PSG 1-1 Arsenal
This is the first Champions League final to see both sides score since 2018 when Real Madrid beat Liverpool 3-1.
First PSG change sees Barcola replace Kvaratskhelia
Arteta has also brought in Madueke and Martinelli to replace Saka and Trossard.
Six minutes added time in the first half and now same number of minutes also added for the second half
Jao Neves gets a yellow card as he impeeds a promising attacking Arsenal move
CLOSE! A counter attacking move by PSG almost results in a late goal
Second half ended
PSG 1-1 Arsenal
We go into extra time
First half extra time still even
Substitution: Zaire-Emery in for Fabian Ruiz
Gykores get a booking
Over 100 minutes of football played
PSG 1-1 Arsenal
A penalty shout by the Gunners wished away by the referee.
Two minutes to be added to the first half of extra time
Half Time extra time
Second half extra time underway in Budapest
PSG have been dominant in this game with 11 corner kicks compared to Arsenal’s two.. The French side also have the upper hand in passes completed and pass accuracy
Arsenal had just 25% possession against PSG in the full 90 minutes of the UCL final.
The fewest they’ve recorded this season.. It is not any better in extra time
Booking for Nuno Mendez for a foul on Madwueke
This is the first time since 2016, the Champions League final goes to extra time.
We are going to penalities in the 2026 UCL final… This would be the 12th time the Champions League final is being decided via penalty kicks
Penalty kicks underway
PSG scores !
Gykores with the first kick for Arsenal… He scores
PSG 1-1 Arsenal
Second kick for PSG Djoue scores
PSG 2-1 Arsenal
Eberechi Eze with Arsenal’s second kick… HE MISSES!!!
Nuno Mendez third kick for PSG..
He looses !
Rice with Arsenal’s third kick.. he scores
PSG 2-2 Arsenal
Hakimi scores
PSG 3-2 Arsenal
Martineli with Arsenal’s fourth kick.. he scores
PSG 3-3 Arsenal
PSG scores
PSG 4-3 Arsenal
Gabriel must score… He misses
PSG win the 2026 UCL trophy
PSG have successfully defended the Champions League title
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