Paris Saint-Germain Wins First UEFA Champions League Title in a Record Victory Against Inter Milan

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) secured their first UEFA Champions League title on May 31, 2025, with a commanding 5-0 victory over Inter Milan at Munich's Allianz Arena. This decisive win not only marked PSG's inaugural European Cup triumph but also set a record for the largest margin in a Champions League final.

Teenage midfielder Désiré Doué was instrumental in the victory, contributing two goals and an assist, earning him the Man of the Match title. At 19 years and 362 days old, Doué became the youngest player to score a brace in a Champions League final, surpassing Eusébio's record from 1962. He also became the youngest assist provider in a final, overtaking Jude Bellingham's record from the previous season.

Under the guidance of coach Luis Enrique, PSG achieved a continental treble by winning Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, and the Champions League in the same season—a first for a French club. Enrique became the second manager, after Pep Guardiola, to win the treble with two different clubs.

The match saw PSG dominate from the outset. Achraf Hakimi opened the scoring in the 12th minute, followed by Doué's first goal eight minutes later. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia added a fourth goal in the 73rd minute, becoming the first Georgian to score in a UEFA club competition final. Substitute Senny Mayulu sealed the victory with a fifth goal, becoming the youngest Frenchman to score in a UEFA club competition final.

Inter Milan's manager, Simone Inzaghi, expressed deep disappointment after the match. "It didn't feel like my Inter," he said, acknowledging PSG's superiority in intensity and technical execution. Inter concluded a frustrating season without silverware, having also contended until the final weekend of Serie A.

Following the victory, celebrations erupted across Paris. An open-top bus parade along the Champs-Élysées drew up to 110,000 supporters. Festivities included a light show, concert, and a trophy presentation attended by French President Emmanuel Macron, who praised the victory as a milestone for French football.

However, the celebrations were marred by violent incidents across France, resulting in two deaths, 192 injuries, and over 500 arrests. In Paris alone, 491 individuals were detained, with 254 placed in custody. One death occurred due to a road accident involving a young man in his twenties, and another, a 17-year-old, died from stab wounds in Dax. The Champs-Élysées witnessed chaos as bus shelters were destroyed and confrontations with riot police ensued, prompting the use of tear gas and water cannons. Over 200 vehicles were burned, and 29 members of emergency services were injured. Authorities had deployed 5,400 officers in anticipation of unrest.

PSG condemned the violence, emphasizing that these were isolated instances amid mostly celebratory scenes. The French interior ministry reported the incidents and emphasized a firm but measured response to any further violence. Paris police chief Laurent Nunez stated that the trophy parade would proceed with a higher police and military presence.

The incidents sparked political discourse, with the far-right accusing authorities of underestimating the threat and the far-left criticizing the use of force on peaceful fans.

Despite the unrest, many Parisians celebrated joyfully, with fans lining up for commemorative jerseys and a parade scheduled. President Macron planned to host the team at the Élysée Palace, praising the victory as a milestone for French football.

PSG's historic triumph and the subsequent unrest highlight the complex interplay between sports achievements and societal reactions, underscoring the challenges in balancing public celebration with safety and order.