PSG advance to Champions League final after Bayern Munich protest over refereeing decisions
Paris Saint-Germain defeated Bayern Munich 1-1 in the Allianz Arena to secure a 6-5 aggregate victory, setting up a clash with Arsenal in Budapest. The result leaves the German side frustrated by two denied handball appeals that the coach argues were inconsistent with a penalty awarded in the first leg.
Paris Saint-Germain have secured their place in the 2026 UEFA Champions League final, defeating Bayern Munich 1-1 in the second leg of the semi-final at the Allianz Arena. The French side won the tie 6-5 on aggregate, eliminating the German champions who were seeking a treble and their first European title since 2020.
The match narrative was dominated by two specific incidents involving handball appeals that went against Bayern Munich. In the 29th minute, referee Joao Pinheiro denied a call against defender Nuno Mendes after the ball struck his outstretched arm. The official ruled that a prior handball by teammate Konrad Laimer invalidated the sequence under IFAB laws regarding interactions between teammates.
Approximately a minute later, Pinheiro also rejected a penalty appeal for a handball by Joao Neves. The referee determined that the ball had been kicked by teammate Vitinha before striking Neves' arm, meaning the action did not constitute a foul under the current regulations. These decisions came after Bayern players had already entered a frenzy over the initial non-call against Mendes.
Bayern coach Vincent Kompany expressed significant frustration with the officiating, particularly highlighting a perceived inconsistency in the application of the rules. He contrasted the non-calls in Munich with a handball call against Alphonso Davies in the first leg in Paris, which resulted in a penalty for PSG and a goal from Ousmane Dembele. Kompany noted that while he understood the technicalities of the teammate interaction rule, the disparity in treatment felt detrimental to the match outcome.
The aggregate victory ensures that PSG will face Arsenal in the Champions League final on May 30 at the Puskas Arena in Budapest. The French club now looks to complete a second consecutive European campaign, leaving Bayern Munich to reflect on a campaign that ended in disappointment despite their high ambitions for the season.
