PSG humble Inter with record 5-0 win Champions League final
PSG vs Inter Milan
In a historic night for Paris Saint-Germain, the prodigious talent Désiré Doué etched his name into the annals of football history by scoring twice to inspire his team to their first-ever European Cup triumph, dismantling Inter Milan with an emphatic 5-0 victory in a utterly one-sided Champions League final on Saturday. The Parc des Princes erupted in a cacophony of joy as PSG, under the astute guidance of manager Luis Enrique, finally delivered the coveted trophy that their Qatari owners had relentlessly pursued since their takeover in 2011. This victory was not merely a triumph of skill but a testament to the resilience of a squad that had teetered on the brink of elimination during the competition’s league phase earlier in the season. Having fallen short in the 2020 final against Bayern Munich, PSG approached this match with a hunger that was palpable from the opening whistle, their performance a dazzling display of attacking prowess, tactical discipline, and unyielding determination. The final scoreline, the largest margin of victory ever recorded in a Champions League final, underscored the sheer dominance of a PSG side that left their more experienced Italian opponents grasping at shadows, unable to respond to the relentless onslaught they faced. From the outset, PSG’s fluid passing, relentless pressing, and clinical finishing overwhelmed Inter Milan, who, despite their storied history and passionate fanbase, were reduced to mere spectators in their own defeat. The victory marked a turning point for PSG, transforming years of near-misses and lofty ambitions into a moment of unparalleled glory, celebrated by fans who had long dreamed of seeing their club crowned champions of Europe.
The match began with an electric atmosphere, as Inter Milan’s supporters filled the stadium with their rousing rendition of the club’s anthem, “There’s Only Inter,” a defiant declaration of their pride and expectations. However, the optimism emanating from the Italian contingent was swiftly extinguished as PSG seized control of the game with an authority that left no doubt about their intentions. Luis Enrique’s meticulously crafted game plan was executed to perfection, with every player moving in sync, their passing crisp and purposeful, each touch of the ball a calculated step toward dismantling Inter’s defense. The breakthrough came in the 12th minute, a moment that set the tone for the rout that would follow. Vitinha, the diminutive yet immensely influential midfielder, orchestrated the opening goal with a perfectly weighted pass into the penalty area, finding Désiré Doué in a pocket of space. Inter’s defenders, caught flat-footed, appealed frantically for an offside call, but Federico Dimarco’s positioning had inadvertently played Doué onside. The 19-year-old, displaying a composure far beyond his years, controlled the ball with a deft touch before rolling it across the face of the goal, where Achraf Hakimi, the former Inter defender, gleefully tapped it into an empty net. The goal was a dagger to Inter’s hopes, and the sight of Hakimi, a player who had once donned their colors, celebrating against them only deepened the wound. PSG’s fans roared their approval, sensing that this was not merely a goal but the beginning of something extraordinary.
Just eight minutes later, PSG struck again, their counterattacking prowess slicing through Inter’s defense like a hot knife through butter. The move began with a rapid transition from defense to attack, the ball finding its way to Ousmane Dembélé on the left wing. Dembélé, whose pace and trickery had been a constant menace, surged forward with purpose, his eyes scanning the pitch for options. Spotting Doué making a darting run to the far post, Dembélé floated a perfectly judged ball across the box. Doué, demonstrating his versatility and technical brilliance, chested the ball down with an elegance that belied the high-pressure stakes of the moment. His subsequent shot, struck with precision, took a fortuitous deflection off the unfortunate Dimarco, wrong-footing Inter’s goalkeeper Yann Sommer and nestling into the net. The stadium erupted once more, the PSG supporters’ chants growing louder, their belief in their team’s invincibility swelling with each passing minute. Inter, by contrast, appeared shell-shocked, their defense disorganized and their midfield overrun by PSG’s relentless energy. The scoreline, now 2-0, was a fair reflection of the gulf in quality between the two sides, but it was merely a prelude to the carnage that would follow in the second half.
After the interval, PSG resumed their assault with undiminished intensity, their hunger for the trophy palpable in every challenge, every sprint, and every pass. The third goal arrived in the 63rd minute, a moment of individual brilliance from Doué that effectively killed off any lingering hopes of an Inter comeback. Once again, Vitinha was the architect, threading a sublime through-ball into the path of the young Frenchman. Doué, with the poise of a seasoned veteran, took a touch to steady himself before coolly slotting the ball past Sommer, who could only watch as it rolled into the bottom corner. The goal was a masterclass in composure, Doué’s ability to remain unfazed under pressure a testament to his burgeoning reputation as one of football’s brightest prospects. Inter’s players, visibly deflated, struggled to muster a response, their movements sluggish and their confidence eroded by the relentless pressure applied by PSG’s attacking juggernaut. The Italian side’s fans, who had been so vocal before the match, fell silent, their anthem now a distant memory as the reality of their team’s predicament set in.
The fourth goal, scored by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in the 73rd minute, was a moment of pure artistry that encapsulated PSG’s dominance. Dembélé, operating from deep in his own half, unleashed a defense-splitting pass that carved through Inter’s backline with surgical precision. Kvaratskhelia, the Georgian winger whose flair had illuminated the tournament, latched onto the ball and sprinted toward goal, his pace leaving Inter’s defenders trailing in his wake. With Sommer advancing to narrow the angle, Kvaratskhelia calmly slotted the ball past him at the near post, sparking wild celebrations on the PSG bench. Luis Enrique, usually a picture of composure, could not contain his emotions, leaping onto the pitch to join his players in a moment of unbridled joy. The goal was a dagger to Inter’s heart, confirming what many in the stadium already knew: this match was over, and PSG were destined to lift the trophy. The scoreline, now 4-0, was a reflection not only of PSG’s attacking brilliance but also of their tactical discipline, as they maintained their shape and intensity even with the game firmly in their grasp.
As the clock ticked toward the final whistle, PSG showed no signs of relenting, their desire to make a statement unwavering. In the 87th minute, substitute Senny Mayulu added a fifth goal, capping off the rout with a clinical finish from close range. The goal was the result of a flowing move involving fellow substitute Bradley Barcola, whose incisive pass found Mayulu in space. The young forward, eager to make his mark, fired the ball past Sommer, who by this point was a forlorn figure in Inter’s goal. The final whistle, when it came, was greeted with an explosion of noise from the PSG supporters, their songs reverberating around the stadium as they celebrated a victory that had been years in the making. For Inter, the defeat was a bitter pill to swallow, their dreams of adding to their European legacy shattered by a PSG side that had played with a ferocity and flair that was simply unstoppable. The 5-0 scoreline, unprecedented in a Champions League final, was a testament to PSG’s superiority, a performance that will be remembered as one of the most dominant in the competition’s history.
In the aftermath, the spotlight inevitably fell on Désiré Doué, whose two goals and commanding performance earned him the plaudits of fans and pundits alike. At just 19, he had announced himself on the grandest stage, his blend of skill, composure, and maturity marking him out as a future superstar. For Luis Enrique, the victory was a vindication of his philosophy, his emphasis on attacking football and collective effort paying dividends in spectacular fashion. The Qatari owners, whose investment had often been scrutinized in the face of previous failures, could finally bask in the glory of a triumph that had eluded them for so long. As the players lifted the trophy, the scenes of jubilation were a reminder of the power of football to unite and inspire, a moment of pure ecstasy for a club and a fanbase that had endured their share of heartbreak. For PSG, this was not just a victory but a coronation, a declaration that they had finally arrived as Europe’s preeminent force.
