“The match would have been for Arsenal” – Ex-Super Eagles defender reveals what went wrong vs PSG

Eberechi Eze and David Raya of Arsenal. Picture credit: ImagoxDavid Klein/Sportimage

Former Super Eagles defender Godwin Okpara has shared his thoughts on the UEFA Champions League final clash between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday, Soccernet.ng reports.

The North London club, fresh from winning their first Premier League title in 22 years, had hoped to finally end their long wait for UCL glory. However, they were denied on penalties by the defending champions in a thrilling final.

Arsenal were playing in their second UCL final and took the lead inside six minutes after Kai Havertz rifled into the top corner after a quick break.

PSG dominated possession from that point, while Arsenal were very solid in defence. However, their resistance was finally broken in the second half when Ousmane Dembélé converted a penalty after Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was fouled by Cristhian Mosquera.

After 120 minutes of deadlock, the match went to penalties. Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Magalhães missed for Arsenal, while only Nuno Mendes failed to convert for PSG, as the French side sealed a 4–3 shootout victory to successfully defend their title.

Soccer Godwin Okpara explains what Arsenal could have done better vs PSG

Arsenal had the best defensive record heading into the final, and their tactical battle against PSG’s powerful attack proved decisive throughout the game.

It even appeared Arsenal had done enough to manage the big occasion, with their game plan working for long spells as PSG were allowed plenty of possession without creating clear chances, until they were handed a lifeline through Dembele’s penalty.

Speaking after the match, former Strasbourg and Super Eagles defender Godwin Okpara believed Arsenal’s approach worked for most of the game, but they ultimately fell short due to a lack of full concentration until the end.

“For them, for Arsenal, I think they did all they could, just that luck. You know, when you’re in a game like that, in a final game like that, and you got the first goal, and you can’t even put the second goal, that will be a pressure on you”, the former PSG defender told Soccernet.ng in an exclusive interview.

“And maybe they managed it and get the second goal, then I think the match would have been for Arsenal. Mind you, what I find out in that game is that as they scored and they were playing on PSG’s mistakes.

“PSG was making, doing the whole playing, and they were just trying to catch up with their mistakes which they didn’t get right. And if you’re playing a team like that, you have to defend seriously till the end because when you look at the PSG team, they are very strong attacking team. Well, it’s a pity for them. Next year, they can still do it again.”

Soccer A great game of football

The former PSG defender also praised the high tactical level of the encounter, which lasted 120 minutes and became the first Champions League final in 10 years to go to a penalty shootout.

Okpara, who had predicted a win for his former side before the match, also applauded PSG for successfully defending their title, becoming the first team since Real Madrid (2015–2018) to achieve such a feat.

“I mean, it’s a record for them. Right from the very first day they won it against Inter, that was their first winning. It’s a cup they haven’t won before, and for them winning it was their first time winning it. Now, I think it will be in history.

“I don’t know if any club has broken that record, being a club that won it at the very first time in their history and winning it back-to-back again. I think they might be the first club to do that. So, I mean, it’s a good thing for them, and it’s unfortunate for Arsenal, who would have been their first time of winning it too. But I think both teams made history and it was a wonderful game for both teams”, Okpara concluded.

PSG will now face Aston Villa, who defeated Freiburg 3–0 in the Europa League final, in the UEFA Super Cup scheduled for August 12, marking the start of the 2026–27 European season.

Ayomide Oguntimehin

Ayomide Oguntimehin is a CAF-accredited sports journalist and Chief Editor at Soccernet.ng. He has interviewed Super Eagles stars like William Troost-Ekong, Taiwo Awoniyi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, and Ademola Lookman, and is known for breaking major transfer stories.

Ayomide has worked with Sports Brief, Naija News and served as Social Lead Editor at Legit.ng. He has also featured on Goal, TVC News, Sports Mole, and Milan News24. He holds a Master’s degree and is currently pursuing a PhD. Follow Ayomide on X (formerly Twitter): @ayo_oguntimehin