PSG beat Arsenal and will seek their long-awaited Champions League title at the second attempt.

It was a duel of second chances, of seeking glory after having come close to it. The Parisians couldn't achieve it in that era of masks and coronavirus, and the British succumbed in this very stadium almost two decades ago at the hands of the seed of the best Barça in history. So PSG saw the door open and snuck in to face Inter in the final. They did so without Mbappé , but with a united team that proves that the Champions League must be attacked and defended by eleven players. [Narration and statistics, 2-1]

Arsenal came out looking for an early equalizer, commanding and aggressive. Less than 10 minutes into the match, they already had three clear chances: one from Martinelli after a Skelly throw-in from a corner, another from Rice , a header that went just wide after a great cross from Timber , and the last, a shot from outside the box from Odegaard. On the last two, Donnarumma's response was more than outstanding. His low hand to clear the Norwegian's shot will compete with Sommer's save from Yamal for the best save of this Champions League.

The English noticed Thomas Partey 's return to their midfield. The Ghanaian allowed Rice to move back into the inside lane, giving the dangerous British midfielder more opportunities to attack, and his long throw-ins were almost more dangerous than a corner. Odegaard was also able to appear more in the midfield and command the high pressure that Arteta ordered his men to use.

The French couldn't find the ball, to Luis Enrique 's despair. Kvaratskhelia didn't need it. The first one that came to him hit the post, igniting the crowd while dampening the Gunners' morale a bit. In fact, despite the English team's attempt to maintain their high pressure, a short while later, a steal from Fabián left Doué and Barcola alone to mount the counterattack. Perhaps it was youth or a lack of cunning, but the move ended with an innocuous shot from the man who was playing number nine in the absence of the injured Dembélé .

Shortly after, the Spaniard decided to take it upon himself and score a brilliant goal. The winger collected a rebound from the British defense at the edge of the box, dribbled past Martinelli with his chest control, and slotted home with his left foot, impossible for Raya to do after a run-in with a defender. It could have been a double blow if Barcola , a minute later, had managed to finish off another PSG counterattack. He had just one touch left.

The match lost its spark. Arsenal feared further punishment, while PSG was happy to have doubled its lead in a first half that began like someone being battered by a huge wave under the sea. Fortunately, there were no serious injuries, just a slight dizziness.

The Roar of the Princes

The second half began quietly, like an armistice. Then Dembélé came out to warm up, and the Parc des Princes roared. PSG started more engaged in the game and the tie. It was metaphorical to see Kvaratskhelia chasing Saka to help Mendes , who had been booked in the first half, and the team showing more desire for the ball, just as their coach likes it.

As if in a mirror image, in the 65th minute, it was Saka who emulated Kvaratskhelia 's play to cut inside and put the ball in the top corner. This time it wasn't the post that prevented the goal, but Donnarumma , inspired all night, with another incredible handball. But even more incredible was the British comeback after VAR called Zwayer for Timber 's handball after Achraf 's shot. A modern penalty, but a penalty nonetheless. However, Raya wanted to give his team another breath of life and saved Vitinha 's shot.

Last breath

The British refused to take it, falling asleep on a diagonal from Kvaratskhelia , where the ball ended up at Achraf 's feet with Partey weak in the duel. The Moroccan curled in a curling ball that Raya couldn't handle. That second French goal spurred England's pride somewhat, and they sought to score a consolation goal shortly after, scored by Saka after a great fight by Trossard .

The match was crazy, but France's advantage allowed Luis Enrique 's team to reduce the usual anxiety of the final minutes. The final was within reach, and Donnarumma 's team deserved it throughout the tie. Inter await, a team with more experience and three titles. Bad business.