Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) player Lee Kang-in, 24, did not step on the field but added a UEFA Champions League (UCL) title to his career.

PSG won 5-0 against Inter Milan in the single final of the 2024-2025 season UCL at Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, on the 1st (Korea time). Since its founding in 1970, PSG clinched the big ear for the first time in 55 years.

This season, PSG claimed the domestic treble by winning the Ligue 1, Trophée des Champions, and Coupe de France. They also conquered Europe, achieving a quadruple.

On that day, Lee Kang-in was named on the bench and waited for the call from PSG head coach Luis Enrique. However, he ultimately did not get to play. PSG exhausted all five substitution cards in the 39th minute of the second half, but Lee's name was not called.

In the past, while playing for Spain's Valencia, Lee made his Champions League debut against Chelsea in September 2019.

However, after transferring to Mallorca in 2021, Lee had been far from the UCL stage.

Before last season, Lee, who joined PSG, returned to the UCL stage against Borussia Dortmund on Sept. 20, 2023.

And within just two seasons after joining PSG, he finally lifted the UCL trophy.

Lee became the second Korean player, following Park Ji-sung, to experience UCL victory.

Park Ji-sung was part of the winning team in the 2007-2008 season with Manchester United (Man U), but he did not play in the final. He later appeared in the finals twice (2008-2009, 2010-2011) but finished as a runner-up both times.

Son Heung-min also reached the final stage with Tottenham in the 2018-2019 season but did not win a trophy.

PSG employed a 4-3-3 formation in the match against Inter. Twoé, Dembélé, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia occupied the attacking front. In the midfield were Neves, Vitinha, and Fabian Ruiz. The defensive line formed by Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, and Nuno Mendes.

PSG took the lead relatively early. In the 12th minute of the first half, Vitinha's through pass found Twoé, who delivered a low, fast cross to Hakimi stationed at the center of the Inter penalty area. Unmarked, Hakimi calmly netted with an inside-right shot.

Hakimi, who played for Inter in the 2020-2021 season, refrained from celebrating after scoring.

Building on that momentum, PSG added another goal in the 20th minute of the first half. Twoé, who assisted the first goal, scored this time. In a counterattack, he received Dembélé's precise cross and shot with his right foot, which deflected off a defender and resulted in a goal.

The first half ended with PSG leading 2-0.

PSG dominated the first half. According to the UEFA official website, PSG recorded 61% ball possession, while Inter had only 39%. The shot count was also in favor of PSG at 13 (5 on target) to 2 (none on target).

The match was practically decided. In the 18th minute of the second half, Twoé gifted PSG a third goal. Dembélé, in the midfield, made a spectacular run and played a short pass forward to Vitinha. Vitinha advanced with the ball into the opponent's penalty area and passed to Twoé, who was positioned on the right side of the box. Not missing the opportunity, Twoé scored with a soft one-touch shot.

On a roll, PSG netted another goal in the 28th minute of the second half. A long pass from Dembélé completely breached Inter's defensive line. Kvaratskhelia received the ball, dribbled, and calmly finished in a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper.

Inter struggled to at least score a goal. However, breaking through the overwhelming performance of PSG proved to be quite difficult.

Instead, PSG made it 5-0. In the 41st minute of the second half, substitute Mayulu received a shot from Barcola, took a single angle from the side, and shot to score.

The match concluded with PSG's 5-0 triumph.

According to European football statistics provider 'Opta,' PSG became the first team to win a UCL final by five goals or more.

Immediately after the match, the victory ceremony was held. Following Hakimi, Lee received his medal and participated in the trophy ceremony, enjoying the joy of victory with his teammates.

[OSEN]