Paris Saint-Germain Crushes Inter Milan 5–0 to Finally Win Champions League Crown

Paris Saint-Germain crowned Champions League winners for the first time after a stunning 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in the final at Munich’s Allianz Arena.

Munich (WE) — Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) has finally claimed European football’s most coveted prize, the UEFA Champions League. After years of high-profile signings and near misses, the Qatari-backed club secured the title by thrashing Inter Milan 5-0 in Saturday’s final at the Allianz Arena in Munich.

PSG coach Luis Enrique was all smiles after the win. “It’s in the bag. The trophy is coming home with us to Paris tomorrow,” he said. “On my first day at the PSG campus, I said the ultimate goal was to fill the trophy cabinet. The only missing trophy was the Champions League. Now, we have ticked that box.”

This victory marked the club’s first-ever Champions League title, a prize that eluded previous stars like Lionel Messi, Neymar Jr., and Kylian Mbappé. Luis Enrique has shifted PSG’s approach from relying solely on superstar signings to building a true team.

The game’s standout player was 19-year-old French forward Désiré Doué. Doué scored twice and assisted another goal. His performance highlighted PSG’s new generation. Doué and substitute Senny Mayulu became the third and fourth teenagers to score in a Champions League final, joining legends like Patrick Kluivert and Carlos Alberto.

Doué reflected on the historic moment, saying, “It is wonderful, it is magical. We are rewriting the history of this club and French football.”

Achraf Hakimi and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia also scored for PSG, rounding out the 5-0 scoreline.

Striker Ousmane Dembélé praised the team’s style and determination. “It’s exceptional. We did it in style, playing great games in Liverpool and Aston Villa. We deserve this, and so do the fans.”

PSG now stands among Europe’s elite football clubs, not just for its financial power but for its success on the pitch. Winning the Champions League—the continent’s top club competition—cements its place in European football royalty.

The final took place at the Allianz Arena, home of German giants Bayern Munich. It was a fitting stage for PSG’s crowning moment, especially as the club lost its previous final here in 2020 to Bayern. That defeat, in an empty stadium in Lisbon due to the COVID-19 pandemic, left Neymar in tears.

This time, thousands of PSG fans filled the stands in Munich. They waved flags, lit flares, and drowned out Inter’s supporters. Many Inter fans left early, while PSG’s supporters celebrated throughout the day and night.

The scenes of jubilation peaked when captain Marquinhos lifted the trophy amid fireworks and golden confetti. “I have nothing left. I gave everything,” Marquinhos said in a post-match interview with Canal Plus. “The fans are proud of us. Make the most of it, guys. I love you.”

PSG dominated the match from the start, showing no signs of nerves. Just 12 minutes in, PSG took the lead. Vitinha threaded a perfect pass into the box, finding Doué. Instead of shooting, Doué slid the ball to Hakimi, who tapped it in. Hakimi, a former Inter player, muted his celebration out of respect.

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Eight minutes later, PSG doubled the lead. Doué’s shot deflected off Inter’s Federico Dimarco and past goalkeeper Yann Sommer. Doué scored again in the 63rd minute, sliding the ball into the bottom corner on a breakaway.

Kvaratskhelia added a fourth goal in the 73rd minute. Substitute Mayulu sealed the victory in the 86th minute, scoring just two minutes after entering the field.

Luis Enrique, who won the Champions League with Barcelona in 2015, became only the seventh coach to win the trophy with two different clubs. His PSG team also completed a treble this season, adding the Ligue 1 title and the Coupe de France to the Champions League win. “We are ambitious. We will continue to conquer the football world,” Enrique declared.

Inter Milan had been on track for a treble just over a month ago but ended the season empty-handed. Their coach, Simone Inzaghi, expressed his disappointment. “This defeat hurts a lot, like Istanbul last year,” he said, referring to the 2023 final.

PSG’s journey to this moment began 14 years ago when Qatar Sports Investments purchased the club in 2011. Their financial backing led to marquee signings such as Zlatan Ibrahimović, David Beckham, and Edinson Cavani.

The stakes rose with Neymar’s world-record €222 million transfer, Mbappé’s arrival, and finally Messi joining PSG. Despite this star power, the Champions League title remained elusive.

The recent departure of these superstars marked a turning point. PSG shifted focus from big-name signings to building a cohesive team. However, the club remains one of the most expensive squads globally.

The victory also raises questions about nation-state involvement in football and accusations of “sportswashing.” Qatar’s investment in PSG has enabled the club’s rise, while Abu Dhabi-backed Manchester City won the Champions League just two years earlier. Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund owns Newcastle United, who will compete in the Champions League next season with ambitions of their own.

With the biggest final win in Champions League history, PSG has earned its place among Europe’s football royalty. The club’s transformation from a flashy contender to a true champion symbolizes a new era in European football.