Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Rajat Patidar dedicated the franchise’s second consecutive IPL title to the 11 fans who lost their lives in the stampede during celebrations of the team’s maiden championship win last year.

RCB defended their crown brilliantly Defeated Gujarat Titans by five wickets in the IPL 2026 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday. Virat Kohli chased the target by playing an unbeaten inning of 75 runs, due to which Bengaluru secured the title by achieving the target of 156 runs in a row.

Speaking after the win, Patidar remembered the supporters who died in the tragedy in Bengaluru a day after RCB’s historic win in 2025.

“We dedicate this trophy to our fans, not really fans, but to the family members who passed away in the tragedy last year,” Patidar said in the post-match press conference.

IPL 2026 final: highlighted | Achievement:

The tribute was in keeping with the franchise’s efforts throughout the season to honor the victims. Before their opening match against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, RCB observed a minute of silence in memory of the 11 supporters who lost their lives in the crowd attack.

Players of both the teams wore black armbands, while the RCB team trained wearing the number 11 jersey. The franchise also announced that 11 seats at the Chinnaswamy Stadium will remain vacant throughout the season as a mark of respect.

The tragedy occurred on June 4, 2025, a day after RCB ended their 18-year wait for the IPL title by defeating Punjab Kings in the final. Thousands of fans gathered outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium for the felicitation ceremony held after the team returned to Bengaluru.

The crowd had exceeded expectations and, struggling to cope with the rush at the entrances, a crush developed outside the venue. Eleven people died and several others were injured, eclipsing what is considered the most famous day in franchise history.

The incident led to intense scrutiny of crowd management and event planning, while cricket activities at the Chinnaswamy Stadium were affected for months.

Virat, Rajat thank RCB’s ’12th Army’

RCB supporters once again made their presence felt in the final on Sunday. Although the match was played at Gujarat Titans’ home ground in Ahmedabad, a large section of the crowd was supporting Bengaluru.

Rajat Patidar and both Virat Kohli pays tribute to the franchise’s loyal fan base After helping RCB win their second consecutive IPL title.

“I always say we don’t have seven home matches. We probably have 14. Wherever we go, our fans are cheering for us and supporting the team. GT might have been the home team tonight, but it felt like 90 percent of the crowd was RCB supporters,” Kohli said.

“It’s something we’ve built up over the years and we just want to make them proud and continue to do our best. Their support has been invaluable. I’m really happy they were able to celebrate with us tonight and see us lift the trophy.”

Patidar echoed those sentiments, dedicating the win to the fans who stood by the franchise through almost two decades of ups and downs.

Patidar said, “This one is for you once again, RCB fans. Ee Saala Nu Cup Namdu.”

A year after tragedy loomed over their maiden IPL win, RCB ensured their supporters remained at the center of the celebrations as they lifted the trophy for the second consecutive season.

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New Delhi: For almost two decades, Virat Kohli lived and breathed Royal Challengers Bangalore. On Sunday night in Ahmedabad, he finally experienced the moment he had imagined countless times.After hitting the winning six to give RCB their second IPL title and complete a successful title defense against Gujarat Titans, Kohli revealed that completing the chase had been a personal dream for a long time.“That’s the thing you dream about. Thought about this moment many times, want to score the winning runs,” Kohli said after his unbeaten 75 to lead RCB to a five-wicket win at the Narendra Modi Stadium.This innings was vintage Kohli – controlled, aggressive and decisive. This also included the fastest half-century of his 19-season IPL career, which was scored in just 25 balls.The dream ended on the biggest stageKohli admitted that he was feeling unusually calm despite the pressure of the title race.“I felt really comfortable coming in. The team we have gives us the confidence to deal with any situation. We knew what to do while chasing,” he said.The former RCB skipper set the tone early along with Venkatesh Iyer, as the pair helped Bengaluru record the fastest team half-century in the history of the IPL final.“I told Venky that we need to finish the game in the powerplay. There was complete clarity,” Kohli revealed.Even at the age of 37, the batting superstar continues to evolve. When asked about his half-century in 25 balls, Kohli explained how the rise of fearless young cricketers has forced him to adapt.“It’s demanding, super young players are pushing you to move forward. I have to change not just my game but my mindset, face the bowlers and score extra runs,” he said.A champion team, not a one-man showPerhaps the most satisfying aspect of the win for Kohli was the strength of the team around him.“We had to wait so long and then to have a group of guys where you don’t feel like you’re the only one who has to step up for the team, it’s amazing,” he said.Calling RCB a complete team, Kohli praised the contributions of Josh Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jacob Duffy, Krunal Pandya and Rasikh Salam Dar. The great batsman also highlighted RCB’s consistency throughout the season.“When big situations come up, you need big players to step up. But I knew we had a champion team,” he said. “We’re at the top of the table, there’s a reason we’re in first place. If we stick to our cricket and execute our plans, we’re the best team in the competition.”As slogans started echoing in the stadium, Kohli gave special praise to the fans.“We have 14 home games, not seven. We have fans behind us all the time. Ninety percent of the fans were on our side despite it being GT’s home ground,” he said.

Virat Kohli has credited the depth and balance of Royal Challengers Bangalore for their second consecutive IPL title, saying that for the first time in his long association with the franchise, he no longer feels the pressure of doing it all on his own.

Kohli played an unbeaten inning of 75 runs in 42 balls. RCB easily chased Gujarat Titans’ 155 runs for 8 wickets.Won by five wickets in the IPL 2026 final in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

RCB’s dominance throughout the season resulted in another title-winning campaign and Kohli said the biggest difference was the team’s confidence in its collective ability.

“This group is everything. We have had to wait for this for a long time. The special thing is that when you come out on the field, you don’t feel like you have to step up every time. There are players all around you who can win games for the team. We have had man-of-the-match performances all season. You look at the quality we have – world-class bowlers, players you can always rely on. Rashid was brilliant this season, and all the batsmen also contributed, Kohli said. RCB won its second consecutive IPL title.

IPL 2026 final: highlighted | Achievement:

The 37-year-old player once again played the role of anchor in the final. After Venkatesh Iyer helped RCB get off to a great start, Kohli ensured the target was never lost despite brief fluctuations in the middle overs.

RCB had scored 70 runs for 2 wickets in the powerplay before losing many wickets. However, Kohli stood firm, completing his fifth half-century of the season and remaining unbeaten till the end, completing the chase with a six off Arshad Khan.

Reflecting on the campaign, Kohli said this season never had the same pressure as last season because the players trusted the quality within the team.

“I told some of the boys that we didn’t feel the same pressure as last year. We knew how much potential we had in this group. We topped the table for some reason and came first for some reason. We kept telling ourselves one thing – if we stick to our cricket and execute our plans, we are the best team in the competition. That’s why we performed so well in the league stage and finished on top. The skill set we have, coupled with the maturity and composure of the group, came to the fore again.” Came in. Tonight, it was a great performance, not just tonight but in the entire tournament,” Kohli said.

RCB’s path to the title was not at all straight. The team was in a bit of trouble after the mid-season break, but Kohli said the crucial win over Mumbai Indians gave confidence in the dressing room.

“To be honest, we had a difficult phase after the break. We lost one game and then had a close win against MI. That week was important because we wanted to be on top. Once we got the win against MI, the confidence came back. Then we won comprehensively against KKR, topped the table and carried that momentum till the final,” he said.

Kohli said success ultimately hinges on the balance and depth that RCB has built over the last two seasons.

Kohli further said, “I am very happy to be part of a group that has balance, strength and depth. We are a strong all-round team and that is where our confidence comes from. That is why we have been able to achieve what we have.”

For a player who has often been the face of RCB’s successes and failures over the years, Sunday’s win holds a different significance. Kohli once again performed well when it mattered most, but he made it clear that this title is not about any one player. It was about a team that backed itself up from the start, topping the league table and completing an impressive campaign with a stellar performance in the final.

ipl 2026 | ipl schedule | ipl points table | ipl player stats | purple cap | orange cap | ipl video | cricket news | live score

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Rajat Patidar left fuming after third umpire refused to give wicket to RCB (Agency Image)

Captain of Royal Challengers Bangalore Rajat Patidar The Gujarat Titans batsman looked quite disappointed after a controversial decision by the third umpire. washington beautiful A significant relief during the IPL 2026 final in Ahmedabad.The incident occurred when RCB had already made a great start with the ball. After winning the toss and electing to field, the defending champions removed Gujarat’s star opening pair by striking twice inside the powerplay. Josh Hazlewood rejected Shubman Gill for 10, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar GT soon came under pressure as Sai Sudarshan was dismissed for 12 runs.As the Titans looked for a recovery, Jacob Duffy provided another breakthrough for RCB. Bowling a short ball onto leg stump, Duffy mistimed a pull shot from Washington Sundar, with the ball heading towards fine leg, where Jordan Cox completed what initially looked like a clean catch.However, the celebrations were cut short as the third umpire was called in to check whether the catch was taken fairly or not.Multiple replays showed that Cox did not have complete control of the ball during the catching process. The ball seemed to be stuck awkwardly between the ring fingers of both hands and while he managed to catch it, there was uncertainty as to whether the ball had hit the ground when he attempted to complete the catch.After reviewing the footage, the third umpire ruled Washington not out and concluded that there was not enough evidence to confirm a clean catch.Patidar did not like this decision. The RCB captain immediately approached the on-field umpire and looked eager to understand the logic behind the decision. Television cameras captured Patidar having a lengthy discussion as he sought clarification on why the catch was not upheld.From RCB’s point of view, this decision was particularly disappointing given how well they had started. Gujarat Titans have relied heavily on their top order throughout IPL 2026, with Gill and Sudarshan both scoring over 700 runs during the season and playing major roles in taking the team to the final. His early dismissal had RCB firmly in control, before Sundar’s escape gave GT a possible way back into the contest.

Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty ended their long wait for a title by defeating Indonesia’s Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Fikri 18-21, 21-17, 21-16 to win the Singapore Open men’s doubles title. The Indian pair held their nerve in a high-quality three-game battle to secure their first title in two years and complete a much-awaited return to the top step of the podium.

Singapore Open Final: highlight

The win comes after consecutive defeats for the world number four Indians, who had reached several finals since their last title in 2024. But were still unable to cross the finish line.

After the match, both said, “We’ve lost before, but I think this will be a special tournament for me. Thank you, the crowd. Thank you all so much. You guys are so passionate, no matter what happens, no matter who is playing. It’s been a packed stadium since the first round. I think it’s one of the best stadiums to play in. Thank you all.”

The Asian Games and Commonwealth Games champions added the ninth World Tour title and third Super 750 title of their career with the victory in one hour and 13 minutes, which proved to be an important milestone as they became the first Indian men’s doubles pair to win the Singapore Open title.

A long-awaited breakthrough for Sat-Chi

Satwik and Chirag last won the trophy at the Thailand Open in 2024 and have finished runners-up four times since then and have had disappointing performances. His path in Singapore was equally challenging, including semi-final wins over defending world champion Kim Won Ho and South Korea’s Seo Seung Jae.

After losing the opening game, the Indians responded strongly to dominate long rallies and shift the momentum.

As soon as the winning point was scored, Satwik and Chirag fell on the court in celebration before giving any emotional reaction. Satwik then presented a playful baby-themed gesture dedicated to his brother and sister-in-law, who recently became parents, while Chirag heaved a sigh of relief. The two then danced on the court, celebrating their memorable and hard-earned victory.

The title marks a turning point for Satwik and Chirag after months of continuity without silverware, reaffirming their place among the world’s elite. Having regained confidence and clinched a major trophy, the Indian pair will now look to carry the momentum into the rest of the season.

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RCB’s Josh Hazlewood (Image: X)

As Royal Challengers Bangalore prepare to face Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2026 final, they will take confidence from Josh Hazlewood, a player who has made a habit of performing well on the biggest stage.The defending champions are aiming to win back-to-back IPL titles, a feat achieved only by Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings. Standing in their way is a strong Gujarat Titans side led by Shubman Gill, but RCB will be relieved by the presence of Hazlewood, whose record in T20 finals is nothing short of remarkable.

The man who never lost a final

Hazlewood enters the IPL 2026 final with a perfect record in the T20 title decider. The Australian fast bowler has played in five major T20 tournament finals in international and franchise cricket and has emerged victorious in all five. What’s even more impressive is that he has never gone wicketless in a T20 final.In those five title matches, Hazlewood has taken 10 wickets at an average of 13.9 and an economy rate of 7.1, proving his ability to thrive under sustained pressure. Hazlewood’s first major T20 final success came while representing Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2021 final. Facing Kolkata Knight Riders, the Australian returned figures of 2/29 in four overs, removing Sunil Narine and Nitish Rana at crucial moments. His disciplined spell helped CSK stop KKR from chasing the target and win by 27 runs. This was the first IPL trophy of Hazlewood’s career and the beginning of a remarkable finals streak.Perhaps the best performance of Hazlewood’s career came during the 2021 T20 World Cup final against New Zealand. On the batting-friendly Dubai surface, Hazlewood produced a masterclass in fast bowling, finishing with figures of 3/16 from four overs. He dismissed Glenn Phillips and, most importantly, Kane Williamson, who looked set to take the game away from Australia with a blistering 85. Australia eventually chased down the target to win their first T20 World Cup title, with Hazlewood playing a central role in the victory.

RCB gets a historic title

Four years later, Hazlewood once again demonstrated his ability to perform when the stakes were greatest. In the IPL 2025 final against Punjab Kings, the Australian fast bowler took two wickets and was tasked with defending 29 runs in the final over of the match. Despite facing the dangerous Shashank Singh at the crease, Hazlewood maintained his composure and closed out the game, helping RCB secure their first IPL title after a wait of 18 years.Hazlewood’s finals success extends beyond the IPL and international cricket. The fast bowler was also a part of the title-winning campaign with the Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League. A mixed IPL 2026 campaignDespite his impressive finals record, Hazlewood’s IPL 2026 season has not been entirely easy. The right-arm fast bowler has taken 13 wickets in 12 matches at an average of 35.15 and an economy rate of 9.62. Although those numbers are low by his usual standards, they do not fully reflect his impact.

Paris Saint-Germain made history in Budapest as they defeated Arsenal on penalties to retain the UEFA Champions League crown. Luis Enrique’s side kept their composure in a tense final at the Puskas Arena to seal consecutive European victories.

Only a select group of clubs have been consistently successful A Champions League or European Cup win underlines the scale of PSG’s achievement on the continental stage.

Enrique now joins Zinedine Zidane, Pep Guardiola and Bob Paisley in an elite list of managers with three Champions League titles, trailing only Carlo Ancelotti, who has five.

So when this figure was brought up in the post-match show on TNT Sports, Enrique immediately responded: “Only three? I have to improve!”

This led Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard, standing next to him, to ask if he could equal Caro Ancelotti’s record of five Champions League appearances with this team.

“I’d say four,” Enrique responded with a wide smile on his face, causing Gerard and the other panelists to laugh.

PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi praised the Spaniard’s impact and indicated confidence in keeping him at the club, with contract negotiations ongoing beyond his current deal, which runs until the end of next season.

“He is the best coach, I can’t answer that question but I’m really convinced,” Al-Khelaifi said. “It’s all about the project and he is the best for this project. He is very special, as a coach, as a human being, as a person, he is fantastic. He is the best coach in the world. He has done wonders with the team. With a young team, you know the story. I also want to thank the players of PSG. It is for them too. They all gave this project.”

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta also paid tribute after the final and acknowledged PSG’s dominance despite his team’s disappointment at once again missing out on European glory.

“I especially want to congratulate PSG, Luis (Enrique, the coach), because in my opinion they are the best in the world,” Arteta told reporters in Budapest, as quoted by Yahoo Sports.

Iconic Night in Budapest

Paris Saint-Germain successfully defend their UEFA Champions League title On Saturday night, 30 May, Arsenal were beaten 4–3 on penalties after a tense 1–1 draw at the Puskás Arena. The French champions retained their place on the throne of European football, while Arsenal were only left to celebrate their Premier League title, their dream of finally becoming champions of Europe delayed once again.

Kai Havertz’s sixth-minute opener got the ball rolling in a tightly contested match, before Ousmane Dembele equalized from the penalty spot midway through the second half.

PSG were without Vitinha, Khvitcha Kvaratskheliya, Dembele or captain Marquinhos for the shoot-out, yet Eberechi missed Eze and then Gabriel ensured they became the first team since Real Madrid to win consecutive European titles between 2016 and 2018.

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Shubman Gill and Rajat Patidar (BCCI/IPL photo)

Ahmedabad: Many hearts were broken when Rajasthan Royals lost to Gujarat Titans by seven wickets in Qualifier 2 at New Chandigarh on Friday night, denying fans the chance to see cricket’s new sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi in his maiden IPL final. Still, few would deny that Sunday night’s summit clash promises to be a fascinating contest between two of IPL 2026’s best and most consistent teams.Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), chasing a second consecutive title, will take on 2022 winners and hosts Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Beyond the trophy, the stakes are bigger: the winner could establish itself as the IPL’s next major force, as Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians did in their era. RCB, in particular, will be aiming to become the third team after those two giants to win consecutive titles. On paper it is an equal contest. Both teams are being led by in-form captains, with each team inspiring their teams with contrasting but effective leadership styles knocking on the doors of India’s T20I team. Rajat PatidarHis calm, collected approach has brought stability to RCB in two seasons, and now he is on the verge of joining MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma as the only captains to defend the IPL crown.The 32-year-old Madhya Pradesh batsman has backed up his leadership with excellent figures, scoring 486 runs in 14 matches at an average of 44.18 and a strike rate of 196.76, including five fifties. Long known for his prowess against spin, Patidar has added another dimension this season by dismantling pace attacks with equal ease.Second captain, Shubman GillLooks determined to regain his place in India’s T20 setup.The handsome opener has been in great form and has scored 722 runs in 15 matches at an average of 48.13 and a strike rate of 163.71. Both captains reached the final on the back of decisive innings: Patidar’s explosive inning of 93 off 33 balls gave RCB a 92-run win over GT in Qualifier 1, while Gill’s brilliant inning of 104 off 53 balls took the Titans ahead of Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2.Gill and opening partner Sai Sudarshan may not attack like some of the young batsmen in the league, but their approach is no less effective. His fluent strokeplay and ability to bat deep was on full display in their 167-run partnership while chasing 215 in Qualifier 2.

Sudarshan, who scored 710 runs at an average of 47.33 and strike rate of 159, is also in the race for the Orange Cap along with Gill.With Jos Buttler (507 runs) providing strength at No. 3, Gujarat Titans have a top order that rarely fails. However, RCB can match that firepower with a strong batting line-up of Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Tim David, Venkatesh Iyer and Patidar. The champions have consistently scored over 200, helped in part by batting-friendly surfaces but also by fearless intent.The contest may ultimately depend on the bowlers and both teams have powerful pace attacks. RCB’s biggest strength is the experience and sharpness of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood. Bhuvneshwar has been exceptional, taking 26 wickets at an average of 18.15 and an economy of 8.00, while Hazlewood’s ability to strike early makes him a vital weapon against GT’s top order. Supported by Rasikh Salaam and all-rounder Krunal Pandya, RCB’s attack has both depth and variety.Gujarat Titans boasts of the most complete bowling unit in the tournament. Kagiso Rabada leads the way with 28 wickets while consistently touching the speed of 150 kmph. Rashid Khan, Jason Holder and Prasidh Krishna provide capable support. Home advantage may play a role, with the Titans having won five out of seven games in Ahmedabad this season. Nevertheless, RCB entered the final slightly ahead, having enjoyed more rest and having the confidence to have won the title at this venue last year.

Arsenal almost saw it through for two hours in Budapest.

The Premier League title had already been secured. The “bottle job” jokes that had plagued Mikel Arteta’s side for the past few seasons had largely disappeared. What was left was the biggest prize of them all.

The trophy that has haunted the club for generations sits attractively beside it. The trophy that slipped through Arsene Wenger’s fingers in Paris in 2006. That trophy remains the final piece missing from Arsenal’s modern revival under Mikel Arteta.

Then football did what football often does.

It waited till the end before causing heartbreak.

PSG vs Arsenal, UEFA Champions League Final: highlight

Paris Saint-Germain successfully defended their UEFA Champions League title by beating Arsenal 4-3 on penalties after a tense 1-1 draw at the Puskas Arena on Saturday night. The French champions retained their place on the throne of European football, while Arsenal were only left to celebrate their Premier League title, their dream of finally becoming champions of Europe delayed once again.

The images that persist are unlikely to be punishments themselves. Instead, it will be Thierry Henry and Ian Wright staring from the stands, watching another Arsenal side come within touching distance of history before missing out.

For Arsenal, it became the third major European final defeat in club history.

• Valencia in Brussels in 1980.
• Galatasaray in Copenhagen in 2000.
• And now PSG in Budapest in 2026.

Meanwhile, for PSG, this win has a different significance.

PSG are the new European royalty

Winning the Champions League is difficult. Defending it is where great teams reveal themselves.

Real Madrid made it a regular thing between 2016 and 2018, but history suggests otherwise. Before Madrid’s three-peat, it took only AC Milan in 1989 and 1990 to make a successful title defence.

There was no possibility of inevitability on PSG’s path to a return to the final either.

The free-flowing PSG team that tore apart Inter Milan in Munich a year ago looked very different this season. Injuries disrupted their rhythm, Ousmane Dembele missed parts of the season, and inconsistent results during the league stage left the defending champions facing an awkward playoff route. Yet somehow he found solutions at every turn.

Luis Enrique’s side beat Monaco in a playoff thriller. Chelsea was demolished. Liverpool were sidelined. Bayern Munich lost in a semi-final that often seemed worthy of a final.

The route was more chaotic than in previous seasons.

The destination remained exactly the same.

Arsenal’s dream start

If Arsenal fans could choose the perfect start, this would be it.

Just six minutes into the final, Marquinhos failed to deal with a loose ball and the ricochet fell to Kai Havertz. The German raced towards goal and fired past Matvey Safonov to give Arsenal an early lead and send the red half of the Puskás Arena into frenzy.

From there, PSG had plenty of the ball but very little joy. Dembele continued to look for openings throughout the attack, Kvaratskhelia tried to create some instigation from the flanks, and Desire Dou constantly looked for space between the lines. Yet Arsenal’s defense refused to budge. Saliba and Gabriel stood solid at the back, while Declan Rice seemed to be everywhere at the same time.

PSG’s frustration grew as the half progressed. His appeal for handball against Bukayo Saka inside the box was rejected by both the referee and VAR, while a steady flow of corners failed to bring the breakthrough they desperately wanted.

In fact, Arsenal came closest to scoring again. Deep into stoppage time, Havertz almost got his second of the night, before Marquinhos recovered brilliantly to deflect the effort and keep PSG alive.

The statistics may have been in PSG’s favour, but the scoreline belonged to Arsenal. As the players headed towards the tunnel, Mikel Arteta’s side looked every bit like a team that believed history was finally within reach.

How did PSG find a way back?

The expectation at half-time was that PSG would come out of the blocks.

Instead, Luis Enrique’s side remained patient.

Despite lagging behind, there was no panic. PSG continued to move the ball, probing for openings and trusting that Arsenal’s defensive wall would eventually be broken. Kvaratskhelia began to get more space, Dou began to create dangerous positions between the lines, and Dembélé’s movement was causing problems in the Arsenal backline.

The pressure finally paid off in the 61st minute.

Mosquera tackled Kvaratskhelia inside the box and the referee was left with no option. Dembele stepped up and buried the penalty into the bottom corner after David Raya miscalculated. After knocking on the door most of the night, PSG finally got an equaliser.

Arteta reacted quickly, withdrawing the booked Mosquera and introducing Victor Gyöckeres as Arsenal tried to regain some attacking threat. But the flow of the game had changed. PSG were dictating the pace, while Arsenal increasingly focused on protecting their box.

However, neither side could find a winner.

When punishment becomes destiny

As extra time passed, the final became a battle of quality as well as patience.

By the second half of extra time, many of the players who had defined the night were not involved. Dembele was out, Quaratskhelia was out, Vitinha was struggling with injury and even Marquinhos was withdrawn. PSG’s penalty plans suddenly looked a lot less straightforward than before kick-off.

Arsenal, meanwhile, appeared better prepared for the shootout. Declan Rice, Eberechi Eze, Gabriel Martinelli, Victor Gyöckeres and Gabriel Magalhaes all remained on the pitch, giving Arteta plenty of reliable options from the spot.

On paper, the advantage was the Gunners.

Football had other ideas.

Duay, Goncalo Ramos and Hakimi all converted confidently for PSG. Arsenal then got off to a big start when David Raya denied Nuno Mendes and made the only save of the shootout.

Then came the moment that would haunt the Gunners for years to come. Gabriel Magalhaes stepped forward needing to score to keep Arsenal alive, only to send his effort over the bar.

And just like that, it was over.

Arsenal had a hand in history. PSG had other plans.

After 120 minutes of tension, drama and panic, it all came down to a few kicks from 12 yards out. PSG maintained their composure, Arsenal did not.

The defending champions arrived in Budapest with the trophy and left again with it.

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England’s Freya Kemp celebrates after taking the wicket of Jemimah Rodrigues during the 2nd women’s IT20 match between England and India at the Seat Unique Stadium in Bristol, England on May 30, 2026. (Photo/Getty Images)

Freya Kemp produced brilliant performances with both bat and ball as England defeated India by 26 runs in the second Women’s T20 match in Bristol on Saturday to level the three-match series 1-1.Kemp first scored an unbeaten 39 off just 13 balls to give England a late lead and then took 2/15, dismissing Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues, as India finished at 142/9 chasing 169.Now the series will be decided by the third and last T20 match to be held in Taunton on Tuesday.Earlier, India looked to be in control for most of England’s innings after restricting the hosts in the middle overs. Left-arm spinner Sri Charani continued his impressive start in international cricket, taking 3 wickets for 25 runs.However, Kemp changed the direction of the innings in the death overs. England scored 39 runs in the last two overs, including 24 runs in the last over bowled by Arundhati Reddy. Kemp hit two sixes and two fours during his innings, taking England to 168/5.India got off to a positive start through openers Shafali Verma and Mandhana. Shafali scored 22 runs in 14 balls while Mandhana scored 32 runs in 25 balls as the visitors kept pace with the target.Even after losing the openers, India stood comfortably at 78/2 after 10 overs.The match turned in the middle overs when England spinners Charlie Dean and Sophie Ecclestone slowed down the scoring. Boundaries became difficult to find and the required run rate increased.Yastika Bhatia, who was dismissed by Dean on 29, struggled to increase the scoring rate and was eventually retired after scoring 33 runs from 36 balls as India looked to score quickly.Dean applied pressure with several economical overs while Ecclestone also kept the Indian batsmen under control at the other end.Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur tried to maintain the chase by scoring 28 runs in 22 balls. During her innings, she became the third batsman to score 4,000 runs in Women’s T20I, joining Suzie Bates and Smriti Mandhana.But England continued to attack at crucial moments.Kemp removed Jemima soon after coming to the crease, while Dean dealt a big blow by dismissing Richa Ghosh (8) and Harmanpreet within four balls.Harmanpreet left Dean behind while trying to attack from the outside and her dismissal left India with a lot to do.With the required rate rising rapidly and wickets falling regularly, India were unable to recover as England sealed victory and kept the series alive.