No humans can beat Saints! PSG defend Champions League crown after shocking penalty drama

The crown stays in Paris! Paris Saint-Germain have defended the Champions League title by defeating Arsenal in a dramatic penalty shootout (4-3) on Saturday night! After a 1-1 draw in 120 minutes, the high-intense battle was decided from the spot, with Eberechi Eze and Gabriel missing the crucial penalties for the Gunners.

We witnessed a slow start to the game, with PSG controlling the possession but struggling to break Arteta's solid defensive block. And then, out of the blue, the lightning struck - Marquinhos' clearance deflected off Trossard and launched Havertz into a clear-cut chance on the left flank. The German forward ran with the ball for almost 40 yards before smashing it below the crossbar and behind helpless Safonov for a shocking lead, 1-0.

What a beginning that was, what a kick in the gut for Luis Enrique and his star-studded side!

Still, it wasn't the first time Arsenal managed to get in front first in the UCL final - the same happened in that 2006 showdown against Barcelona, and we all know how that one ended, which probably came to mind of more than a few Arsenal supporters following Havertz's opener.

The Saints were in search of a quick response, but the ball just couldn't get past Mosquera and Hincapie on the flanks, thus preventing PSG from setting up their most lethal attacking pattern - cruising through wings before storming into the box.

Dembele and Khvicha seemed somewhat stranded on a shore strange to them, with no space to display their marvellous skills. Arsenal flooded that space just inside the box with lots of bodies, including Havertz, Odegaard and Trossard, clearly showing Arteta's intention to prevent the rival from imposing their widely-praised tactics.

Luis Enrique's worried face told the story of Arsenal's complete dominance, despite the numbers, showing a 73% - 27% discrepancy in possession in PSG's favour.

No pace, no counter-attacks, no shots on target, no harm for Raya and his fortress.

Meanwhile, the Londoners were close to doubling the lead through Havertz in the stoppage time, after a lovely three-piece action, but Marquinhos' last-ditch effort denied what could have been Havertz's brace.

The teams went to the locker rooms for a half-time break, and the game seemed to be sliding into a dull finale, completely in accordance with Arteta's notebook. Alas, a moment of Mosquera's defensive weakness revelation changed everything - Dembele and Khvicha played a one-two, and Arsenal left-back knocked the Georgian winger for a clear penalty. Dembele was accurate from the spot, and all of a sudden, Paris were back in the game.

Timber and Gyokeres came on for Mosquera and Odegaard, as the Gunners tried to restore the lead as soon as possible. Instead, they were awarded with a dangerous counter, leaving Khvicha with the entire left-hand side for one of his trademark runs. From the very same spot as Havertz earlier, Kvaratskhelia fired, but the ball hit the post. The complete comeback was off the table, at least for a while.

Two minutes from time Desire Doue made a mass on the right wing before putting it on the plate for Vitinha, whose mid-range effort went inches above the crossbar for a huge relief among the Arsenal fans. The same repeated in the added time, only it was Barcola now missing the target from that same spot as Khvicha previously.

The latter came off because of an injury, which made PSG's quest much more challenging, especially as the match descended into extra time havoc. Madueke was taken down in the box, but there was not enough contact between the players there to see another penalty despite serious protests of Arteta and his men.

The brutal rhythm was taking its toll, Vitinha was forced to leave due to an injury, and Arsenal made all of their six available changes. The time was ticking away, and the penalty shootout was an inevitable end of this one-of-a-kind battle.

David Raya made a magnificent save to deny Nuno Mendes' shot, but Eberechi Eze and Gabriel missed it for Arsenal as Paris Saint-Germain celebrated their hard-fought back-to-back UCL title!

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - FINAL

PSG - Arsenal on penalties 4-3 (1-1)

/Dembele 65 pen - Havertz 6/