Key points

• PSG beat Arsenal 3–1 on aggregate to reach final.

• Hakimi and Ruiz scored key goals in second leg.

• Arsenal’s Champions League dream ends in heartbreak.

Paris Saint-Germain sealed a 2–1 victory over Arsenal in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final on Wednesday, securing a 3–1 win on aggregate.

The win sends them to their second Champions League final, set for May 31 in Munich.

After an early onslaught from Arsenal, Fabian Ruiz gave PSG the lead with a 27th-minute strike from the edge of the box.

Despite missing a second-half penalty, PSG doubled their advantage when Achraf Hakimi scored in the 72nd minute. Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka scored a consolation goal, but it was too little, too late.

PSG fans celebrate long-awaited final berth

The Parc des Princes was electric as fans celebrated their team’s first home-leg semi-final win in front of a live crowd since 2020.

Previously, PSG’s historic 2020 final appearance was played behind closed doors due to the pandemic.

Despite missing key player Ousmane Dembele in the starting lineup due to injury, PSG held strong. Arsenal, who had Thomas Partey back from suspension, pressed hard in the opening minutes.

Declan Rice headed wide and goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma made key saves from Martinelli and Ødegaard.

But PSG absorbed the pressure and struck first. Ruiz capitalized on a poor clearance to smash home his first-ever Champions League goal, stunning the Gunners.

Arsenal crashes out despite early pressure and late rally

Arsenal mounted a strong start, but poor finishing and PSG’s composed defense proved decisive.

Donnarumma made another vital save from Saka before PSG earned a controversial penalty for a handball.

Though Vitinha missed the penalty, Dembele—coming off the bench—assisted Hakimi’s composed finish.

Saka gave Arsenal brief hope with a close-range goal, but later missed a clear opportunity that would have brought them within one goal of a dramatic comeback.

Arsenal’s dream of reaching their first Champions League final since 2006 came to an end.

Mikel Arteta’s side now shifts focus to finishing second in the Premier League for a third straight season, as their 20-year European title drought continues.