PSG advance to 2026 Champions League final with 6-5 aggregate victory over Bayern Munich
Ousmane Dembélé's early strike proved decisive as Paris Saint-Germain eliminated Bayern Munich, setting up a clash with the Gunners in Hungary
Paris Saint-Germain have secured a place in the 2026 Champions League final after a 1-1 draw against Bayern Munich in the semi-final second leg. The match, contested at the Allianz Arena in Munich, saw the French title-holders extend their aggregate lead to 6-5, effectively eliminating the German side from the competition. This result ensures that PSG will attempt to win a second consecutive Champions League trophy in Budapest on 30 May.
The decisive moment of the encounter occurred early in the second leg, with Ousmane Dembélé scoring in the third minute. The goal followed a quick one-two between Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Fabián Ruiz, with Kvaratskhelia picking out the unmarked Dembélé who swept the ball under the crossbar. This strike extended PSG's advantage to two goals on aggregate, building on a 5-4 victory they secured in the first leg in Paris.
Disciplinary issues and refereeing decisions played a significant role in the proceedings, with Bayern Munich protesting two specific incidents. The German side argued that defender Nuno Mendes should have been booked again after the ball struck his arm, though this was not upheld. More controversially, Bayern lodged a complaint regarding a penalty appeal when Vitinha struck teammate João Neves' arm with the ball during a clearance in the penalty area. The ruling was upheld, citing the handball exemption for balls played by teammates.
With the semi-final tie concluded, the focus now shifts to the final opponent, Arsenal. The Gunners progressed to the showpiece match after defeating Atlético Madrid 1-0 on aggregate. This sets up a final between two of the competition's top scorers, with PSG and Bayern having registered 43 and 42 goals respectively prior to the semi-final draw.
The stakes for the finalists are significant, particularly for Bayern Munich, which is seeking to complete a treble of the Champions League, Bundesliga, and German Cup. The German club has won five of its last seven meetings with PSG in Munich and aims to replicate the title hauls achieved in 2020 and 2013. Conversely, PSG enters the final as defending champions, having previously demolished Inter Milan 5-0 in Munich last season to claim their first European title under Qatari ownership.
The 2026 Champions League final is scheduled to take place in Budapest, Hungary, on 30 May. The match will determine the winners of the 2025 competition, with PSG looking to cement their status as European champions for the first time while Arsenal aims to add the continental trophy to their domestic successes.
