Watching the 2026 Champions League draw to probably the most dramatic of ends on Saturday night, this season’s match has as soon as once more flourished with the brand new format.
As PSG efficiently defended their maiden Champions League crown due to a nail-biting penalty shootout victory towards Arsenal in Budapest, the same old suspects stole loads of this yr’s consideration.
Whereas Norwegian outfit Bodo/Glimt might need gained a string of plaudits from throughout the continent following their record-breaking flurry, it was the anticipated European giants who obtained the entire headlines.
PSG be a part of an elite group
Making actual historical past 12 months in the past as they acquired their palms on a long-awaited maiden piece of European silverware, PSG had made it abundantly clear that their sole focus was on defending their Champions League crown this time round.
Cementing their spot as a reputable European powerhouse as they stormed their strategy to a record-breaking 5-0 romp towards Inter Milan in Munich, Luis Enrique’s celebrity squad opened their new journey with loads of expectations on their shoulders.
Accumulating a heavyweight semi-final scalp as they dragged themselves to a outstanding 6-5 combination win towards Bayern Munich earlier within the month, PSG have now underlined their standing as Europe’s final poster boy.
Defending their European trophy in probably the most dramatic of circumstances towards Arsenal on Saturday night, PSG are simply the second aspect within the Champions League period to safe back-to-back titles.
CHAMPIONS OF EUROPE!! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/UdcD8owejk
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) Might 30, 2026
Arsenal endure probably the most public of heartbreak
Formally getting their palms on a primary Premier League crown since manner again in 2004 simply days previous to their journey to Hungary for Saturday’s showpiece occasion, Arsenal definitely had the temper of their camp at a well-known excessive.
Nevertheless, throwing away their early lead in Budapest and struggling notorious penalty shootout heartbreak as their watch for a maiden European trophy continues, the Gunners missed out on the prospect to underline their standing as one of many best sides of their illustrious historical past.
Remarkably not struggling a single defeat inside 90 minutes throughout any stage of their historic European journey this season, the Gunners ultimately fell brief in simply the twelfth Champions League last to be determined by spot kicks.
Whereas the Gunners might need ended their over two-decade wait to get their palms on a Premier League trophy, Saturday’s heartbreak in Budapest will definitely stay lengthy within the reminiscence for Arteta’s squad.
: Arsenal didn’t lose a single sport in the course of the full 90 or 120 minutes this Champions League season.
But they nonetheless didn’t win the match. pic.twitter.com/Yn6Cvi2w35
— The Touchline | (@TouchlineX) Might 31, 2026
Insanity at Madrid
Finally watching their rollercoaster European journey come to an finish following an exciting 6-4 combination defeat towards Bayern on the quarter-final stage, Actual Madrid discover themselves on the coronary heart of a public cleaning soap opera.
Remarkably failing to register a top-eight end throughout their group stage marketing campaign and compelled to go through the play-offs, Los Blancos have confronted an actual backlash from their supporters and their European exit gave the impression to be the ultimate nail in Alvaro Arbeloa’s coffin.
Displaying some actual defensive points on the European stage and with no single piece of silverware to point out for his or her troubles as soon as once more this season, even French celebrity Kylian Mbappe couldn’t assist the 15-time European champions save any face.
Though the previous PSG talisman may be on the coronary heart of what’s changing into an actual feud with the Madrid fanbase, their main marksman did declare the 2026 Champions League Golden Boot after bagging 15 targets throughout this yr’s match.
Kylian Mbappé will win UEFA Champions League’s golden boot along with his 15 targets within the marketing campaign this season. ⭐️ pic.twitter.com/UOsy2V8CNl
— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) Might 6, 2026
Bayern make an actual marker
Though Bayern Munich might need ultimately fallen brief towards the back-to-back European champions, Vincent Kompany’s aspect laid down a significant marker and they’re definitely relishing life underneath the previous Burnley boss.
Profitable seven of their eight group stage appearances and coming back from March’s worldwide break thought to be a standout contender by many, the German heavyweights additionally gained a fearsome repute for his or her outstanding free-scoring performances within the last third.
Getting their knockout stage journey underway with a record-breaking 10-2 combination romp towards Atalanta, Bayern bagged an astonishing 43 targets throughout this season’s match – a tally that’s solely bettered by PSG (45).
With England skipper Harry Kane solely ending behind Mbappe within the race for this season’s Champions League Golden Boot, the ex-Tottenham striker can also be extensively thought to be a standout Ballon d’Or candidate this yr.
Harry Kane, 2025/26 #UCL pic.twitter.com/PwMBcSS6vk
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) April 27, 2026
