Hundreds of arrests made as riots break out in France after Paris Saint-Germain win Champions League

Nearly 800 people have been arrested across France following Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League triumph.

PSG beat Arsenal 4-3 in a penalty shootout, following a 1-1 draw in Budapest, to retain their title of European champions.

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Kai Havertz opened the scoring before Ousmane Dembele equalised from the penalty spot after a foul on Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

The game went to penalties and with Arsenal needing to score to send the contest to sudden death, Gabriel stepped up.

The Brazilian centre-back lashed a wild effort miles over the bar, and PSG were crowned champions of Europe for the second consecutive season.

And in the aftermath, violence broke out across France.

Thousands of officers were deployed in Paris after disruption to public transport.

Footage from Paris shows fans swarming the Champs-Élysées and setting off flares.

This followed clashes between PSG ultras and the police earlier in the day, so a total of 780 people have been arrested so far.

This included 480 in the capital with 57 officers also injured.

It mirrors the disorder last year, though, the French police were much more prepared this time.

After PSG smashed Inter Milan, two people died and hundreds were also arrested in the aftermath.

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There have been no reports of fatalities this time, but arrests are up 30 per cent in 2026.

But that hasn’t stopped far-right leader Marine Le Pen tweeting about it.

She said: “Only in France does a football club’s victory spark riots.

“Only in France does everyone feel compelled to lock themselves in their homes on the evening of a victory to avoid being confronted with violence.”

Historic

It might all have kicked off in France, but it was a historic night for PSG.

The French giants became the first team since Real Madrid in 2018 to retain their Champions League trophy.

They didn’t do it the easy way, but they won’t care.

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After the game, Luis Enrique said: “I’m mixed. Excitement, fatigue.

“Everything but this is the best moment of the season. We are still champions, two in a row, it’s amazing.

“We deserved that. Our supporters, during the whole season. We deserve to be champions.”

PSG were nowhere near their best, but they found a way despite conceding first.

After a loose ball deflected off Leandro Trossard, Havertz charged through on goal in the opening minutes of the contest.

He blasted an excellent strike into the roof of the net from a tight angle to give Arsenal the lead and set off wild scenes in the stadium and all across the world.

But from that point, Arsenal offered very little as an attacking force.

PSG thought they should have had a penalty when Bukayo Saka tried to clear a corner, and the ball hit his hand.

The appeals were waved away and Arsenal went into the break with a 1-0 lead.

But PSG equalised when Cristhian Mosquera brought Kvaratskhelia down in the area, and Ousmane Dembele stepped up from the spot to score.

From there, PSG had the better chances until penalties.

After PSG scored two and Arsenal one of their opening spot kicks in the shootout, Eberechi Eze stepped up and put his penalty wide.

Nuno Mendes had the chance to put PSG into the driving seat but his effort was saved by David Raya.

From there, both sides were perfect until Gabriel stepped up and blazed over, handing PSG the title and leaving Arsenal crushed.