PSG Grind Out the Job to Reach Budapest

An Early Blow, a Late Consolation

Control Over Chaos

After the nine-goal madness of the first leg, this was a study in professionalism. Paris Saint-Germain travelled to the Allianz Arena carrying a slender one-goal aggregate lead and controlled the tie almost from the first whistle, seeing off Bayern Munich 6-5 across the two legs to reach a second consecutive Champions League final.

The perfect start arrived after just three minutes. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, a menace all evening, delivered a dangerous cross and Ousmane Dembélé arrived to crash it home — restoring a two-goal aggregate advantage and immediately deflating the home crowd. From there, PSG rarely looked like relinquishing control.

Bayern’s threat was strikingly limited for a side that had scored at least three times in each of their previous six home matches. Michael Olise was the brightest spark, curling narrowly over in the first half, but Vincent Kompany’s men struggled to fashion clear openings against a disciplined, well-drilled Parisian block. Even a two-goal aggregate deficit at half-time did not spark the expected onslaught.

The evening was not without controversy. Bayern felt Nuno Mendes should have walked for a deliberate handball while already booked, only for referee João Pinheiro to award a foul the other way for a questionable Konrad Laimer handball. Later, João Neves appeared to clearly handle inside his own box after a Vitinha clearance — but the laws exonerate a player when the ball comes off a team-mate, and no penalty was given. Both incidents left Kompany fuming at full-time.

Désiré Doué and Kvaratskhelia both tested Manuel Neuer after the interval, and substitute Bradley Barcola went close late on. Matvey Safonov, by contrast, was largely untroubled — comfortable saves from Olise and Luis DíAZ his only real work until Harry Kane crashed home a left-footed finish on 94 minutes. It was a goal that flattered Bayern and did nothing to alter the outcome. Kane’s wait for a Champions League crown goes on; PSG march to Budapest.

The Standouts in Munich

Budapest, and a Meeting with Arsenal

PSG’s reward is a Champions League final against Arsenal at the Puskás Aréna on 30 May — a chance to become the first side since Real Madrid’s 2015–2018 run to retain the trophy. On this evidence, the holders will take some stopping.

The early betting markets framed it as tighter than many expected: PSG odds-on favourites at around 8/11, Arsenal not far behind at 11/8 — roughly a 58-42 split. A first European crown for the Gunners against a Parisian side chasing back-to-back glory is a compelling final.

Our AI engine breaks down every angle of the showpiece — form, matchups and value — as part of full coverage of European football’s biggest night.

Related Predictions & Analysis

From the semi-finals to the showpiece in Budapest, every tie is analysed by the AI Pro Prediction engine. Head to our Champions League predictions hub for the sharpest football predictions and tips online, track finalists Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal, and bookmark this page for full coverage of European football’s biggest nights.