![\"Soccer](\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/thumbor\/A3CYcXlsVJgEorIizUsFVazQ_9c=\/750x536\/smart\/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.soccernet.ng%2Fmain%2F2026%2F05%2Fimago1078049982.jpg\")
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Eberechi Eze and David Raya of Arsenal. Picture credit: ImagoxDavid Klein\/Sportimage <\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Former Super Eagles defender Godwin Okpara has\u00a0shared his thoughts on the UEFA Champions League final clash between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday,\u00a0Soccernet.ng<\/u><\/a>\u00a0reports<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The North London club, fresh from winning their first Premier League title in 22 years, had hoped to finally end their long wait for\u00a0UCL\u00a0glory. However,\u00a0they were denied\u00a0<\/u>on penalties\u00a0<\/u>by the defending champions\u00a0<\/u>in a<\/u>\u00a0thrilling final.<\/u><\/a><\/p>\n Arsenal\u00a0were playing in their second UCL final and took\u00a0the lead inside six minutes\u00a0after\u00a0Kai Havertz\u00a0rifled into the top corner after a quick break.<\/p>\n PSG dominated possession from that point, while Arsenal\u00a0were very solid in defence. However, their resistance was finally broken in the second half when Ousmane Demb\u00e9l\u00e9 converted a penalty after Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was fouled by Cristhian Mosquera.<\/p>\n After 120 minutes of deadlock, the match went to penalties. Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Magalh\u00e3es missed for Arsenal, while only Nuno Mendes failed to convert for PSG, as the French side sealed a 4\u20133 shootout victory to successfully defend their title.<\/p>\n Arsenal had the best defensive record heading into the final, and their tactical battle against PSG\u2019s powerful attack proved decisive throughout the game.<\/p>\n It even\u00a0appeared 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\u2019s\u00a0penalty.<\/p>\n Speaking after the match, former Strasbourg and Super Eagles defender Godwin Okpara believed Arsenal\u2019s approach worked for most of the game, but they ultimately fell short due to a lack of full concentration until the end.<\/p>\n \u201cFor 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\u201d, the former PSG defender told Soccernet.ng in an exclusive interview.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n \u201cAnd 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. <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n \u201cPSG 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.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n 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.<\/p>\n![\"Soccer](\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/thumbor\/PqLQVGF1WQBe0jv_CpKgCFdKrVU=\/4582x3103\/smart\/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.soccernet.ng%2Fmain%2F2026%2F05%2Fimago1078049988.jpg\")
Soccer Godwin Okpara explains what Arsenal could have done better vs PSG<\/h2>\n
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Soccer A\u00a0great game of football<\/h2>\n
![\"Soccer](\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/thumbor\/e9Zjz37-Z_ojhl-XFIkBW3K9ufI=\/4680x3120\/smart\/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.soccernet.ng%2Fmain%2F2026%2F05%2Fimago1078032296.jpg\")
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