Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) has reached a monumental milestone in the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League, celebrating their first title with an impressive 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in the final at Munich’s Allianz Arena. This significant win not only marks the end of a long wait filled with near misses but also establishes PSG as the second French club to lift the prestigious trophy, following Marseille’s victory in 1993. With manager Luis Enrique at the helm, PSG’s path to this historic achievement highlighted their resilience, tactical advancements, and the emergence of a new wave of talented players.
PSG’s Journey to Win the UCL
A New Era Without Galacticos:
The 2024-25 season was a significant chapter for PSG, as it was the first time since 2016-17 that the club played without their iconic trio of Neymar, Lionel Messi, and Kylian Mbappé. Mbappé, who holds the record for most goals at PSG, made the leap to Real Madrid, while Layvin Kurzawa also departed after his contract ended. In light of these notable exits, Luis Enrique chose to pivot the club’s approach from relying on star power to cultivating a strong, cohesive team. Young talents like Désiré Doué, Vitinha, and Ousmane Dembélé stepped up, with the support of veterans like Marquinhos and Achraf Hakimi, to lead PSG’s efforts this season.
The League Phase: Navigating Early Challenges
The 2024-25 UEFA Champions League kicked off with a fresh single-league format, featuring 36 teams battling it out in a league phase to decide which 24 would move on to the knockout rounds. PSG started their journey on a high note, securing a cautious 1-0 win against Champions League newcomers Girona at the Parc des Princes. However, things took a turn when they faced Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, suffering a 2-0 defeat that highlighted some of their weaknesses, thanks to goals from Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka. A frustrating 1-1 draw against PSV Eindhoven further tested their mettle, leaving them sitting in 15th place in the league phase—a tough spot for a club with such high aspirations.
Yet, amidst these challenges, PSG displayed moments of brilliance. They delivered a stunning 4-1 victory over Stuttgart, driven by a hat-trick from Ousmane Dembélé, which kept their hopes alive in the tournament. Then came a thrilling 4-2 comeback against Manchester City, where they found themselves down 2-0 after goals from Jack Grealish and Erling Haaland. But PSG rallied back with goals from Dembélé, Bradley Barcola, João Neves, and Gonçalo Ramos, proving they have what it takes to compete with the best in Europe.
Group Stage Results:
PSG’s journey through the group stage was a rollercoaster of results:
PSG 1–0 Girona
Arsenal 2–0 PSG
PSG 1–1 PSV
PSG 1–2 Atlético Madrid
Bayern Munich 1–0 PSG
Salzburg 0–3 PSG
Despite the ups and downs, PSG managed to push through to the knockout stages, showcasing their resilience and determination.
Knockout Phase: Rising to the Challenge
After finishing 15th in the league phase, PSG stepped into the knockout phase play-offs, where they faced off against Brest. The French champions made a bold statement with a commanding 3-0 away win in the first leg, featuring a penalty from Vitinha and two goals from Dembélé. The second leg at Parc des Princes was nothing short of a masterclass, as PSG cruised to a staggering 7-0 victory, with seven different players—Barcola, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Vitinha, Doué, Nuno Mendes, Ramos, and Senny Mayulu—each getting on the scoresheet for a remarkable 10-0 aggregate triumph. This performance truly highlighted PSG’s depth and attacking firepower.
In the round of 16, PSG maintained their dominant form, dispatching their opponents with clinical precision. The quarterfinals saw them go head-to-head with Aston Villa, where they pulled off an epic victory to move forward. The semifinals brought a rematch with Arsenal, a team that had previously bested them. This time, PSG was ready. An early strike from Dembélé secured a 1-0 win in the first leg in London, setting the stage for a 2-1 victory back in Paris, with goals from Fabián Ruiz and Hakimi sealing a 3-1 aggregate win. Bukayo Saka’s late goal for Arsenal was merely a consolation.
Knockout Rounds Results:
Round of 16 vs. Liverpool:
First Leg: Paris 0–1 Liverpool,
Second Leg: Liverpool 0–1 Paris
Quarter-Finals vs. Aston Villa:
First Leg: PSG 3–1 Aston Villa,
Second Leg: Aston Villa 3–2 PSG
Semi-Finals vs. Arsenal:
First Leg: Arsenal 0–1 PSG,
Second Leg: PSG 2–1 Arsenal
With a disciplined and strategic approach, PSG overcame Arsenal, securing their spot in the final.
The Final: A Historic Triumph
On May 31, 2025, PSG took on Inter Milan in the UCL final at the Allianz Arena. Inter had made it to the final after a nail-biting 7-6 aggregate victory over Barcelona in the semifinals, but PSG came out firing on all cylinders. Just 12 minutes into the match, Vitinha delivered a pinpoint pass to Désiré Doué, who selflessly set up Achraf Hakimi for the first goal. Eight minutes later, Doué’s shot took a deflection off Inter’s Federico Dimarco, giving PSG a two-goal cushion. The French team kept up their relentless pressure, with Doué netting two goals and PSG adding three more to clinch a record-breaking 5-0 win—the largest margin ever in a European Cup final.
Goals:
Achraf Hakimi,
Désiré Doué (2 goals),
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia,
Senny Mayulu
This victory marked a historic continental treble for PSG, who had already claimed the Ligue 1 title and the Coupe de France. Luis Enrique became just the second manager, after Pep Guardiola, to achieve the treble twice, solidifying his legacy at the club.
PSG’s victory in the 2024-25 Champions League was a shining example of how youthful energy can blend beautifully with seasoned expertise. Rising star Désiré Doué truly stole the spotlight, scoring two goals in the final and earning heaps of praise. Meanwhile, Ousmane Dembélé’s remarkable scoring run, which included a hat-trick against Stuttgart, was absolutely vital during the knockout stages. Vitinha’s playmaking skills and Achraf Hakimi’s versatility played crucial roles, all while captain Marquinhos provided strong leadership and defensive stability.
Under Luis Enrique’s tactical vision, which emphasized high pressing and dynamic attacking play, the team kept their edge through smart squad rotation. This mix of fresh talent and experienced players helped PSG tackle various challenges, from thrilling comebacks against Manchester City to dominant performances in the knockout rounds.
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Their triumph was a major milestone for the club, showcasing years of dedication and ambition, and sparked celebrations all over France, even amidst some post-match chaos. As champions, PSG secured their spot in prestigious upcoming tournaments like the 2025 UEFA Super Cup and the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup. Ultimately, this achievement highlighted a significant turning point for PSG, proving that success can come from teamwork and strategy, rather than just relying on star players, fulfilling a long-held dream of European glory.
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