Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal both score in UEFA Champions League final for first time in eight years
The UEFA Champions League final between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal (1-1, 65′) marked a historic moment: for the first time in eight years, both teams scored in the final. Ousmane Dembélé’s equalizer, converted from a penalty won by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia shortly after the hour mark, broke an unprecedented dry spell where seven consecutive finals saw at least one team fail to find the net.
This rare occurrence hadn’t been witnessed since 2018, when Real Madrid defeated Liverpool 3-1 in the final. The previous streak of seven finals without mutual scoring stretched back even further—to a period between 1988 and 1996—when eight consecutive finals saw one team go scoreless, underscoring how exceptional Saturday’s outcome truly was.
- Liverpool vs. Tottenham (2019): 2-0
- PSG vs. Bayern Munich (2020): 1-0
- Chelsea vs. Manchester City (2021): 1-0
- Real Madrid vs. Liverpool (2022): 1-0
- Manchester City vs. Inter Milan (2023): 1-0
- Real Madrid vs. Borussia Dortmund (2024): 2-0
- PSG vs. Inter Milan (2025): 5-0
The 2025 final not only ended the streak but also highlighted a shift in defensive strategies and tactical approaches in modern European football. While finals in recent years often featured dominant performances by a single team, Saturday’s match showcased a more balanced and unpredictable outcome, reflecting the evolving nature of the competition.
