Champions League triumph for PSG: undefeated dominance secured
How Paris Saint-Germain Ruled the 2025 Champions League Final
The thrill of sports lies in the power to convince ourselves, post-outcome, that the result was clear from the get-go, especially when the outcome is so clear as day. And that's exactly how the 2025 Champions League Final between PSG and Inter Milan will go down in sports history. Paris's resounding 5-0 victory in Munich, the highest score in the competition's history, was nothing short of a domineering performance. The tale of a youthful team, led by a brilliant coach, evolved into an unstoppable force following the departure of their star players.
After clinching the title, PSG's coach, Luis Enrique, humbly acknowledged their victory, "It's hard to imagine how we could have lost the long-awaited first Champions League title in our history on that summery evening in Munich." Fans, too, seemed to know that Paris would lead 2-0 after half an hour. Or perhaps Inter fans already knew their team had lost its edge? Either way, PSG played on the pitch, firm in their belief they were the best team in Europe.
The first half was all Paris, with 62% possession and 13:2 shots on goal. Only poor finishes by Ousmane Dembélé and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia kept the game undecided at half-time. Milan's usually stable defense was shredded by Paris's relentless attacks. Kvaratskhelia and the outstanding Désiré Doué constantly switched wings, while Dembélé roamed the pitch, leaving his striker role unattended. It was Hakimi, a former Inter player, who opened the scoring in the 12th minute from a central position.
Looking back, it's astounding just how PSG could have lost the historic title that night. Enrique found new qualities in Dembélé, praising his defensive performance. This marked the start of a remarkable season for PSG without the superstars of yesteryear, including Messi, Beckham, Neymar, Ibrahimović, and Mbappé. Enrique molded the team from the remnants of the star era and a host of young players who fought tirelessly for each other and his playing vision.
The victory held special significance for Enrique, who had previously celebrated the Champions League triumph with Barcelona in 2015 with his then five-year-old daughter Xana. But fate took a cruel twist, as Xana passed away from a rare form of bone cancer four years later. Enrique, on the Munich pitch, donned a t-shirt honoring that emotional moment, while Paris fans unfurled a giant banner showing Enrique planting a PSG flag with Xana watching. This final felt predestined, as if it was meant to be.
Next on the agenda for Paris is figuring out what comes after ultimate success. Ever since the takeover by the Emirate of Qatar in 2011, winning the Champions League was their ultimate goal. Over 2.3 billion euros were invested in the PSG squad. Now, with the title in the bag, Paris can simply watch their young team flourish. Yet, after the riots in France following the victory, another challenge awaits the triple champions - managing the passion of their fanbase while continuing their pursuit for European glory.
Young star Désiré Doué, who scored twice in the final, declared, "We have made history and this is just the beginning." With PSG's current squad far from reaching their potential, the team could become truly invincible in the near future. Enrique has already confirmed their intentions, aiming to conquer Europe once more next year.
Paris Saint-Germain's dominance in the 2025 Champions League extended beyond the final whistle in Munich, as they set their sights on future European success. The young squad, led by coach Luis Enrique, demonstrated their potential in the Champions League, winning the title with a resounding 5-0 victory. Doué, a standout player in the final, expressed the team's ambitions, stating, "We have made history and this is just the beginning." With their sights set on the Champions League once more next year, PSG aims to become an invincible force in European leagues, including the Champions League.
