Paris Saint-Germain lifted the Champions League trophy for the second year running on Wednesday night in Budapest. They beat Arsenal on penalties after the match ended goalless at the Puskas Arena.
It was a grueling encounter against a well-organized Gunners defense. The French side eventually prevailed in the shootout to join Real Madrid among modern-era back-to-back champions.
Several controversial moments shaped the night's drama. Here's what the match officials got right—and what they didn't.
In the 16th minute, PSG earned a corner kick with Arsenal's Bukayo Saka in the thick of things. The ball struck his thigh first, then his chest, before deflecting onto his hand.
Referee Daniel Siebert waved away penalty appeals immediately. VAR backed his decision within seconds, despite loud protests from the crowd.
According to IFAB rules, a handball that follows a direct deflection from a player's body typically isn't penalized. The arm position matters—and Saka's was deemed natural enough.
Arsenal created a golden opportunity late in the first half. They'd won a corner kick, their first real chance to attack in that period.
Saka stepped up to take it as halftime approached. But the 24-year-old dithered with the ball, seemingly wasting time unnecessarily.
Siebert blew for the break before Saka could deliver it. Arsenal had scored 19 goals from set pieces this season—this could've been their moment.
PSG's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia changed everything in the 62nd minute. He'd already contributed 10 goals and six assists in this competition.
The Georgian winger drove past Cristhian Mosquera with his direct running style. Mosquera brought him down cleanly in the box.
The referee pointed to the spot without hesitation. VAR confirmed it, and Ousmane Dembele converted to level the match.
Arsenal's Noni Madueke came off the bench as a substitute for Saka. In extra time, he became the center of the night's most debatable incident.
Madueke surged into the PSG penalty area and tangled with Nuno Mendes. Both players went down in a heap of limbs.
He screamed for a penalty kick loudly enough for everyone to hear. Siebert ignored him completely, and VAR didn't intervene either.
No replay review was ordered despite the contact between them. Both sides proceeded straight to the shootout.
PSG converted their penalties with clinical precision. Arsenal's nerve deserted them when it mattered most in the spot-kick lottery.
