PSG vs Arsenal: Kai Havertz Equals Cristiano Ronaldo’s Champions League Record After Final Goal
- Kai Havertz has carved his name into Champions League history after finding the net in Arsenal's painful loss to PSG on May 30
- The 26-year-old becomes only the third player to score in a Champions League final for two different clubs
- Having previously achieved the feat with Chelsea, Havertz is also the first player ever to score in the competition's showpiece for two English sides
- A Scotland-based Ghanaian journalist reckoned there was a silver lining in Arsenal's defeat in the UCL final during an interview with YEN.com.gh
Arsenal forward Kai Havertz etched his name into Champions League history after striking against Paris Saint-Germain in Saturday's final in Budapest.
The German attacker once again delivered on the biggest stage, producing a moment of brilliance to hand the Premier League champions an early advantage and place himself alongside some of the competition's most iconic names.
Source: Getty Images
PSG vs Arsenal: Havertz scores in UCL final
According to The Athletic, just six minutes into the showpiece occasion, Havertz latched onto a weighted through ball from Leandro Trossard before bursting into the penalty area.
With PSG goalkeeper Matvey Safonov narrowing the angle, the opportunity appeared to be slipping away.
Yet the 26-year-old, who escaped a red card against Burnley in the Premier League weeks earlier, showed remarkable composure.
From a seemingly impossible position, he unleashed a thunderous finish into the roof of the net, sparking wild celebrations among the Arsenal faithful inside the Puskás Arena.
Watch Havertz's goal, as shared on X:
The goal not only gave Mikel Arteta's side a dream start but also secured a place for Havertz in the history books.
Havertz equals Ronaldo and Mandžukić's record
With his strike against PSG, Havertz became only the third player in Champions League history to score in finals for two different clubs.
According to Opta, the achievement places him in exclusive company alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Mario Mandžukić.
Ronaldo achieved the feat after scoring for Manchester United in the 2008 final, then repeated it for Real Madrid in both 2014 and 2017.
Mandžukić also reached the milestone, scoring for Bayern Munich during their 2013 triumph before netting for Juventus in the 2017 final.
Source: Getty Images
Havertz's goal not enough as Arsenal lose
For the German international, the goal felt like a familiar script.
Football fans will remember his decisive strike in the 2021 Champions League final, when his composed finish secured victory for Chelsea against Manchester City and delivered the trophy to Stamford Bridge.
Years later, Havertz rose again to the occasion when the stakes were at their highest.
However, it was not enough, as PSG rallied back through Ousmane Dembele to force the game into extra time and then a post-match penalty shootout.
Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Megalhaes missed from the spot as the French giants sealed a 4-3 win to retain their title.
Journalist analyses silver lining in Arsenal's loss
Reflecting on Arsenal's defeat, Scotland-based sports journalist Awal Mohammed Hudu told YEN.com.gh in an interview:
"It is hugely disappointing that Arsenal fell short in the Champions League final, extending a painful run in European finals that dates back to their UEFA Cup final defeat to Galatasaray in 2000 and their Champions League loss to Barcelona in 2006.
"However, this setback can serve as a source of motivation for a club that recently ended its 22-year wait for the Premier League title.
"While there are no guarantees of further silverware next season, Arsenal's journey has shown they are capable of competing toe-to-toe with the very best teams in Europe."
Gerard criticises Eze after UCL defeat
In another publication, YEN.com.gh reported that Steven Gerrard criticised Eberechi Eze's penalty technique following Arsenal's defeat to PSG.
The former Liverpool captain felt Eze's approach from the spot was flawed.
Source: YEN.com.gh
