PSG fans set fires, clash with police after Champions League title win: Watch

Paris Saint-Germain successfully defended their UEFA Champions League crown on Saturday (30 May), beating Arsenal 4-3 on penalties after a thrilling 1-1 draw after extra time in Budapest. However, the celebrations in the French capital were overshadowed by clashes between supporters and the police, fires lit and dozens of arrests across the city.

Thousands of PSG fans gathered across Paris to watch the final, with more than 40,000 fans packed into the Parc des Princes stadium where giant screens broadcast the match. While most of the celebrations remained peaceful, areas of disorder emerged as the night progressed.

UCL Final: Highlighting

Television footage showed fans setting off fireworks, lighting flares and massing on the Champs Elysees. Police used tear gas in some areas to disperse crowds, while brief skirmishes were reported around the Parc des Princes and other parts of the city. By 11:00 p.m. local time, Paris police had detained more than 130 people, with authorities reporting damage to several vehicles and storefronts.

France deployed 22,000 police across the country in anticipation of large-scale celebrations, mindful of the riots that followed PSG’s first Champions League triumph a year ago.

PSG COME BACK STRONG

on the field PSG once again proved their resilience on Europe’s biggest stage. The French champions got off to a disastrous start when Arsenal struck in the sixth minute through Kai Havertz. The German forward latched onto the attack and fired a rising effort past goalkeeper Matvey Safonov to give the Premier League side an early advantage.

Arsenal looked set to frustrate PSG for long periods with their disciplined defence, but the French side found their way back into the match midway through the second half. Ousmane Dembele converted from the penalty spot in the 65th minute after Cristhian Mosquera fouled Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in the box.

Neither side could find a winner during unnecessary extra time, sending the final to a penalty shoot-out.

PSG HOLD YOUR NERVES IN THE SHOOTOUT

With the teams locked at 3-3 in the shootout, Arsenal defender Gabriel smashed over the crossbar to give PSG the advantage. The French side made no mistake with their remaining kicks to seal a 4-3 victory on penalties.

The triumph secured PSG’s second consecutive Champions League title, making them only the second club in the Champions League era to successfully defend the trophy. Under Luis Enrique, the Parisian giants have shed their long-standing reputation for inadequacy and established themselves as a dominant force in European football.

As the players celebrated another historic night in Budapest, authorities in Paris had to deal with the darker side of football’s festivities as isolated incidents of violence threatened to overshadow PSG’s latest continental success.

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Issued by:

Amar Panicker

Published on:

31 May 2026 08:00 IST