Achraf Hakimi scored against former club Inter in the Champions League final. © APA/afp / MARCO BERTORELLO

No chance in the final: Inter in the valley of tears

Paris Saint-Germain has secured the first treble in the club's history. Inter were clearly shown their limits by the French in the UEFA Champions League final.

31 May 2025

From: dpa

Just a few weeks ago, Inter were still dreaming of a treble, but on Saturday evening, the Nerazzurri had to watch as Paris Saint-Germain reached that milestone themselves, their third title dream vanishing into thin air. In the Champions League final, the Italians suffered a historic 64.500-0 defeat in front of 5 spectators at the sold-out Allianz Arena, the heaviest final defeat in the history of Europe's most prestigious competition.

Achraf Hakimi, a former Inter player, opened the scoring (12th minute), and just eight minutes later Désiré Doué added another (20th minute) – never before had a team been 0-2 down so early in a Champions League final. Things got even worse for the Nerazzurri after the break. Doué scored twice to make it 3-0 (63rd minute). He is the youngest player to score and provide an assist in a Champions League final. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia made it 4-0 (73rd minute) and Senny Mayulu (87th minute) ensured the final ecstasy of the party. Just like two years ago in the 0-1 defeat to Manchester City, Inter failed again – this time even more painfully.

PSG dream comes true without Mbappé

By winning the Champions League for the first time, one of the most expensive projects in the Champions League has been completed. For a decade and a half, the French capital club has been boosted by billions of dollars from Qatar. It seems strange that it is triumphing in Europe's elite league right after the era of global greats like Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappé. Without the truly great superstars, however, coach Luis Enrique built a functioning team that suffered a 0-1 defeat to FC Bayern in the group stage.

"Together we are invincible" was the message the PSG fans gave their beloved club as they headed into the final in a thrilling atmosphere. From the start, the PSG team took control and rewarded themselves with a beautifully worked goal.

Dimarco becomes unlucky

Vitinha, the pivotal figure in Paris's game, found the unmarked Doué, who laid on a perfect pass to Hakimi. The Moroccan finished off the opening goal – celebrating almost apologetically as a former Milan champion.

Inter never found their way into the game. © APA/afp / INA FASSBENDER

Inter's Federico Dimarco lifted the offside call for the 0-1 goal, and the full-back also played a key role in the 0-2 goal. After losing possession in the Paris half, Kvaratskhelia quickly cut forward and passed to Dembélé. The 28-year-old, crossing, set up Doué, whose shot was deflected into the net by Dimarco, leaving Sommer unable to save. Just as they had done with the opening goal, the PSG fans set off plenty of pyrotechnics in their own half.

Yellow for Inzaghi, special success for Enrique

The Milanese themselves weren't actively involved in the game for a long time. After the break, the Milanese, who had been unyielding in the Champions League season so far, had a brief period of pressure, sparking a modicum of hope. The overly timid Inter team, which had shared an epic semifinal with FC Barcelona, ​​was thwarted by the well-organized PSG defense, led by the assured Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Gianluigi Donnarumma drove Inter to despair. © APA/afp / Kirill Kudryavtsev

When Doué, Kvaratskhelia, and Mayulu then made it 5-0, Inter's hopes were finally dashed. Enrique looked pleased that his team had the "fun" he demanded and was able to truly enjoy the final. He himself has immortalized himself in a special coaching gallery. After Carlo Ancelotti, Ernst Happel, Jupp Heynckes, Ottmar Hitzfeld, José Mourinho, and Pep Guardiola, the former Barcelona coach, he is the seventh coach to win Europe's club crown with two different clubs.

UEFA Champions League – the final

Paris Saint-Germain – Inter 5:0 (2:0)
Goals: 1:0 Hakimi (12th), 2:0 Doué (20th), 3:0 Doué (63rd), 4:0 Kvaratskhelia (73rd), 5:0 Mayulu (86th)