After a chaotic and brilliant season of European football, culminating in some of the most drama seen on the European stage in the semi-finals, PSG and Inter showed themselves as deserved finalists as they headed off to Munich for Saturday’s clash. With PSG having this their main goal for the entire project under their ownership, they’ve missed out when opting for superstar names and talent. Inter meanwhile have been the competitions ‘nearly-men’ for the last few seasons, being beaten by Manchester City 2 years prior. As a result, both sides felt confident of ending their waits for the title.

The game however played out against what many would have expected. Most would have expected a close encounter with Inter showing their defensive abilities and the game relying on a key moment or two to settle the tie. However, we were given a completely dominant display from PSG as they took apart the Inter squad who had just come off the disappointment of missing out on the Serie A title the previous week.

In this review we will take a look back at this historic final, looking at some of the build-up, the selections and the aftermath of what we witnessed on Saturday evening.

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Teams

PSG went into the final with a clean bill of health, and opted for their tried and trusted 4-3-3, spearheaded by the impressive Dembele, supported by their big January acquisition Kvaratskhelia and young star Désiré Doué. Luis Enrique has build a side of talented players with still plenty of years and potential ahead, which could see PSG become much more regular features in these kind of major clashes in the next few years as their blend of young stars and players at their peak negates any need for the major individual names of recent iterations.

For Inter, there is an overwhelming feeling that this could be a side nearing an end of a dominant cycle, as their XI contained 1 37 year old and 2 36 year old players. They have a squad well drilled by Inzaghi which has resulted in major successes domestically and in getting to 2 Champions League finals in 3 years, but with questions around the futures of some players, post-game it looks like a squad needing a reset.

PSG: Donnarumma, Mendes (Hernandez 78′), Pacho, Marquinhos, Hakimi, Ruiz (Mayulu 84′), Vitinha, Neves (Zaire-Emery 84′), Kvaratskhelia (Ramos 84′), Dembele, Doue (Barcola 65′)

Subs: Tenas, Safonov, Beraldo, Kimpembe, Mbaye, Lee

Inter: Sommer, Bastoni, Acerbi, Pavard (Bisseck 53′ – Darmian 62′), Dimarco (Zalewski 53′), Mkhitaryan (Augusto 62′), Calhanoglu (Asllani 70′), Barella, Dumfries, Martinez, Thuram

Subs: Martinez, Di Gennaro, De Vrij, Frattesi, Zielinski, Arnautovic, Taremi

PSG 5-0 Inter

Paris Saint-Germain delivered a masterclass in dominance to secure their first-ever UEFA Champions League title, dismantling Inter Milan 5-0 at Munich’s Allianz Arena on Saturday. This emphatic victory not only marked a historic milestone for the French club but also set a new record for the largest winning margin in a Champions League final.

The scoring commenced in the 12th minute when Achraf Hakimi capitalized on a defensive lapse to put PSG ahead. Just eight minutes later, 19-year-old Désiré Doué doubled the lead, finishing off a swift counter-attack. Doué continued his stellar performance by netting his second goal in the 63rd minute, effectively quelling any hopes of an Inter comeback.

PSG’s relentless pressure bore further fruit in the 73rd minute as Khvicha Kvaratskhelia added a fourth goal, showcasing the team’s attacking prowess. The final nail in Inter’s coffin came in the 87th minute when Senny Mayulu, at just 19 years and 14 days old, became the third-youngest goalscorer in a Champions League final, sealing the 5-0 triumph.

Under the guidance of Luis Enrique, PSG’s youthful squad displayed a blend of tactical discipline and creative flair. The average age of the starting eleven was 25 years and 96 days, making it the third youngest line-up in Champions League final history. Enrique’s leadership was instrumental in this success, as he became the first manager to achieve a continental treble with two different clubs, having previously accomplished the feat with Barcelona.

For Inter Milan, the defeat was a stark contrast to their aspirations, as they managed only two shots on target and were overwhelmed by PSG’s pace and precision. Despite a commendable journey to the final, Simone Inzaghi’s side was outclassed on the night, leaving them to reflect on missed opportunities and the formidable challenge posed by PSG’s resurgence.

Talking Points

Paris Saint-Germain finally shattered their Champions League glass ceiling with a ruthless 5-0 dismantling of Inter Milan in the final, lifting the trophy that had long eluded them. Under Luis Enrique, PSG delivered the complete performance, tactically mature, technically superior, and emotionally composed. This historic night in Munich capped off an unbeaten European campaign, with Enrique becoming the first manager to win a treble with two different clubs. The Spaniard’s fingerprints were all over PSG’s evolution, from the integration of youth, to a more cohesive team identity replacing years of star-centric chaos. After years of near misses and narrative collapses, the Parisians finally arrived.

For Inter Milan, the night was a brutal comedown after a season filled with promise. Simone Inzaghi’s men had stormed through the Champions League knockout stages and looked like favourites for the Serie A title before Napoli took the title prior the final, but they were found wanting on the biggest stage. PSG’s early control left Inter chasing shadows, and once the third goal went in, the Nerazzurri mentally crumbled. Key figures like Federico Dimarco and Francesco Acerbi were overwhelmed, and Inter’s usually robust midfield was overrun. After such a consistent campaign, the final exposed how fine the margins are, and how punishing the Champions League stage can be when things unravel.

Among PSG’s many standout performers, it was 19-year-old Désiré Doué who stole the spotlight. The Rennes academy graduate, signed last summer, struck twice and tormented Inter with his fearless running and clever movement. His goals, one a sharp finish on the break, the other a composed strike following a sustained spell of pressure, symbolised PSG’s new identity built on youth, energy, and team coherence. Doué’s performance felt like a coming-of-age moment, not just for him personally, but for a PSG project that had shifted away from galáctico signings towards a more sustainable model of development.

Looking ahead, both clubs face pivotal summers. For PSG, the win opens a new chapter. After their transition away from the individual nature of the squad, they now have a foundation to build lasting continental success, especially with a core of young talent led by Zaïre-Emery, Doué, and Neves among many others. Luis Enrique has vindicated the club’s sporting reset and will likely be backed again. Inter, meanwhile, must regroup. The gulf in class at the Allianz Arena highlighted the need for squad reinforcements, especially in defence and midfield depth. Simone Inzaghi remains a respected figure, but questions will be asked after such a flat finale to an otherwise stellar campaign, and questions swirl around a potential departure this summer with interest from Saudi.