Arsenal suffers Champions League final penalty heartbreak to PSG - player ratings
· Yahoo Sports
Arsenal's quest to claim their first-ever Champions League title has come to a heartbreaking end, following a gut-wrenching penalty shootout defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
With the game locked at 1-1 after 90 minutes and extra time, the final was decided from the spot, with Mikel Arteta's team undone by misses from Eberechi Eze and Gabriel.
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The Gunners couldn't have asked for a better opening when Kai Havertz thundered the ball into the roof of the net after just six minutes. Starting Havertz as the focal point of the attack was Mikel Arteta's most contentious selection call, but he was instantly vindicated.
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PSG controlled the ball for the remainder of the first half, yet failed to trouble Arsenal's backline. Havertz himself might have doubled the lead in first-half stoppage time, only to be denied by Marquinhos.
Much of the same followed after the interval, until just past the hour mark when Khvicha Kvaratskhelia got the better of Cristhian Mosquera, who hauled him down in the penalty area. Ousmane Dembele stepped up and converted without hesitation.
PSG then carved out the opportunities to seal victory, but Kvaratskhelia, Vitinha and Bradley Barcola - with the final kick of regulation time - all squandered their chances.
During the first period of extra time, Arsenal were adamant they deserved a penalty after Noni Madueke hit the deck in the box. However, their vehement appeals, which resulted in bookings for both Declan Rice and Arteta, were dismissed.
And so it came down to a penalty shootout to determine who would be crowned champions of Europe. Eze blinked first, before David Raya saved from Nuno Mendes. But Gabriel's miss meant Arsenal's dream was over.
John Cross was present at the Puskas Arena and assessed the Arsenal players.
Arsenal player ratings vs PSG
David Raya 7 - Hard to imagine he would be beaten at his near post if he were in goal for PSG. Helpless on PSG's penalty. Did brilliantly to stop Mendes's penalty, but it wasn't enough.
Cristhian Mosquera 6 - Booked. Got the nod over Timber and did so well until his clumsy challenge upended Kvaratskhelia and gave PSG a way back.
William Saliba 7 - Looks so elegant and strong. Reads danger and defended like a lion. Classy on the ball which gives the defence confidence.
Gabriel 8 - He was terrific. Brilliant blocks, incredible determination and strength. Put absolutely everything on the line. So cruel that he was the man whose miss ended the contest.
Piero Hincapie 7 - More defensive than Calafiori (who had a little niggle) and it worked. He made good tackles, was strong and defended brilliantly.
Declan Rice 7 - Worked hard, made good interceptions and was solid throughout. He never gives less than 100 per cent.
Myles Lewis-Skelly 9 - Incredible story. For him to start ahead of Zubimendi was an incredible show of faith. His fearless running, work rate and determination was great.
Martin Odegaard 7 - His work rate was incredible. Covered more distance than any other player in the first half. Maybe run out of gas and got subbed.
Bukayo Saka 6 - Booked. Was not one of his best games but he did back up Mosquera to good effect to keep it tight defensively.
Leandro Trossard 7 - He is Mikel Arteta's go-to man in Europe. He works so hard. His control is excellent and his block goes down as an assist for Havertz.
Kai Havertz 7 - What a finish. The angle looked impossible - but he still did it. Held the ball up, worked hard but really could have had another.
SUBSTITUTES
Timber, for Mosquera, 66 mins, 6
Gyokeres, for Odegaard, 66 mins, 6
Martinell, for Trossard, 83 mins, 6
Madueke, for Saka, 83 mins, 6.
Zubimendi, for Lewis-Skelly, 90 mins, 6
Eze, for Havertz, 90 mins, 6.