Wreaking Havoc in Munich: Teenage Magician Doué Propels Paris to a Historic, Record-Breaking Champions League Victory
Initial outcome: Paris outsmarts Inter, clinching the Henkel trophy - "Inter suffers humiliation at the hands of Paris, claiming Henkelpott"
Make way for the Champions!
Basking in the brilliance of the city lights, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) basked in the resplendent confetti deluge, initiating an unforgettable night of triumph in the Champions League. Their youthful dynasty, powered by the teenage prodigy Desiré Doué, shook the mouthwatering contest against Inter Milan with a historic, record-breaking victory at the Allianz Arena.
Beyond Doué's dazzling exploits, the medley of striking performances from former Borussia Dortmund contemporaries Achraf Hakimi and Ousmane Dembélé made for an exhilarating showcase, etching PSG's name in the annals of European football history.
"No words can express this magnificent achievement – this is the embodiment of my dreams realized in my maiden season. We've created history, and this is merely the dawn," exclaimed Doué, netting a brace, following his extraordinary showing. Head coach Luis Enrique and emblematic skipper Marquinhos caressed the hallowed trophy in awestruck reverence during the ceremonial award presentations.
Enrique at the zenith of the festivities
At the epicenter of the jubilations was none other than Luis Enrique, lifted skyward by his delirious charges in a breathtaking display of elation. Ten years after leading FC Barcelona to the title, the Spanish tactician has reached the loftiest peak of European football once more, paying tribute to his late daughter, who watched the last conquest battling terminal cancer.
The final margin, a staggering five-goal disparity – echoing AC Milan's 4–0 rout over Barcelona in 1994 – left Inter Milan goalkeeper Yann Sommer with a melancholic return to Munich.
The bitter opening act
Armed with the dynamism of Hakimi (12th minute) and Doué (20th minute), each propelled by Dembélé's artful distributions, Inter's champions-in-waiting soon found themselves 0–2 behind, yielding a less-than-ideal start to the highest-stakes battle. Neither Sommer nor defender Benjamin Pavard could stem the tidal wave, culminating in bitter despair. German international Yann Aurel Bisseck, Pavard's nominal successor, sustained an injury mere minutes after entering the fray, compounding Inter's woe.
Matters went south for the Nerazzurri in the second half as a resurgent Doué (63rd minute), a Bayern target prior to his PSG move, notched the clinching third goal, becoming the youngest player to score a goal and provide an assist in a Champions League final. Rising star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (73rd minute) and Senny Mayulu (87th minute) encapsulated the unyielding Parisian onslaught, capping the final euphoria. Reminiscent of their dramatic 2–0 loss to Manchester City in the 2023 final, Inter once again suffered heartbreak – albeit this time in even more agonizing fashion.
A triumph born of petrodollars
With the Henkelpot now ensconced in the trophy cabinet, one of the Champions League's most expansive projects has achieved its long-sought goal. For over a decade and a half, the French capital club has reaped the rewards of billions from Qatar. PSG's victory, coming in an era after the departure of superstars like Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappé, adds an ironic twist to the triumph. Never mind the absence of global icons, Luis Enrique cultivated a formidable team that demonstrated its grit in their 0–1 loss to Bayern in the group stage.
A polarizing message echoed throughout the stadium as the fans exuded boundless energy into the team, heralding "Together we are invincible" as they cheered on their beloved club. From the beginning, the PSG squad maintained their grip on the match, rewarding themselves with an impeccably crafted goal.
The Pivotal Performance of Vitinha
Central midfielder Vitinha played a pivotal role in orchestrating the Parisian onslaught. He instigated Doué's first goal, finding the standing forward who deftly set up a lurking Hakimi. The Moroccan capitalized, securing the first goal – he celebrated humbly, a former Inter titleholder.
Inter's Unlucky Dimarco
Inter left-back Federico Dimarco, unwittingly, made the initial mark on the scoreboard, raising the offside flag for the 0–1. His errant call aided Doué's second goal, too, as he deflected a shot by the 19-year-old prodigy into Sommer's goal. The fans brought their arsenal of pyrotechnics into play, heralding their indomitable spirit.
The Evolution of Dembélé
Prior to the final, Dembélé cultivated a divisive reputation during his tenure at Dortmund, once staging a strike in protest against club management. However, in the first half, he presented himself as a statesmanlike figure, displaying the mature temperament he'd already demonstrated in the run-up to the final. On the cusp of halftime, he could have notched the third goal, while Kvaratskhelia flirted with the opportunity in stoppage time.
The Milaneses' Lethargy
The Milanese proved anemic in the assault, a source of frustration for the dynamic Simone Inzaghi. When Marcus Thuram narrowly missed an equalizer through a header from Hakan Calhanoglu, Inzaghi's jacket had long since disappeared.
Brief Respite, Fleeting Hope
As the game advanced, Inter briefly sparked to life, inciting a flicker of hope for the previously indomitable Milanese. However, the hesitant Inter side, which had delivered an awe-inspiring battle against Barcelona in the semifinals, crumbled before the stalwart PSG defense masterminded by the dependable Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. Inzaghi's desperate attempt to lead Inter to a stunning comeback and christen an illustrious career as a coach ultimately ended in frustration as his team was outmatched at every turn.
Inzaghi's Temperament Boils Over
By the time Doué, Kvaratskhelia, and Mayulu had netted the fifth, eighth, and final goals of the match, Inter's slender hope was all but extinguished. Confronted with the harsh reality, an agitated Inzaghi saw a yellow card, adding insult to injury for the Nerazzurri coach.
Enrique Joining History's Elite
By navigating his team to victory in Europe's premier club tournament, Enrique cemented his legacy alongside renowned coaches like Carlo Ancelotti, Ernst Happel, Jupp Heynckes, Ottmar Hitzfeld, José Mourinho, and Pep Guardiola, the seventh coach to claim multiple European Cup and Champions League titles.
Paris Desiré Doué Champions League Final Henkelpot Luis Enrique Munich Inter Milan Ousmane Dembélé FC Bayern Achraf Hakimi Europe FC Barcelona Final Confetti Rain Loyal Fans Gianluigi Donnarumma Yann Aurel Bisseck Benjamin Pavard Federico Dimarco Hakan Calhanoglu Marcus Thuram Simone Inzaghi Carlo Ancelotti Ernst Happel Jupp Heynckes Ottmar Hitzfeld José Mourinho Pep Guardiola
Reflecting on the triumph, Luis Enrique, the Spanish tactician, said, "Today is a testament to the hard work and resilience of this team; we've created history, and this is just the beginning for us. The Love and support from our loyal fans have been our driving force."
In the midst of the Champions League glory, Desiré Doué, the teenage sensation, was inspired to take up his grande passion, simply stating, "After scoring in the Champions League final, I feel lifted. Now I can't wait to step onto the field and play some sports, especially football, and chase after my European leagues dreams."
