Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) has reached the highest point in European competition.
PSG defeated Inter Milan 5-0 in the single-match final of the 2024-2025 season UEFA Champions League (UCL) at Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, on the 1st (Korea time).
This season, PSG won three domestic titles: Ligue 1, the Trophée des Champions, and the Coupe de France, achieving a treble. They have also triumphed in Europe, completing a quadruple.
According to European football statistics company Opta, PSG became the first team to win the UCL final by a margin of five goals.
On this day, Lee Kang-in was named on the bench, waiting for a call from PSG head coach Luis Enrique. However, he ultimately did not participate. PSG used all five of their substitutions in the 39th minute of the second half, but Lee Kang-in's name was not called.
Lee Kang-in's playing time has significantly decreased in the second half of this season. Transfer rumors suggesting he might leave in search of playing opportunities are gaining momentum.
Amid this, there were analyses that Lee Kang-in's chances of playing were low given that PSG was facing the 'most important' UCL final, and those predictions turned out to be correct.
In PSG, 'Lee Kang-in's competitor' Eduard scored 2 goals and provided 1 assist, showcasing his strong performance. Hakimi, Kvaratskhelia, and Mayulu also found the back of the net.
Dembélé contributed with 2 assists, while Vitinha and Barcola each recorded 1 assist to help secure the team's victory.
At 19 years and 362 days, Duhé became the youngest player to score more than two goals in a final, surpassing Eusebio of Benfica, who scored at 20 years and 97 days against Real Madrid in 1962.
"Legend" Lionel Messi (Inter Miami) scored in the UCL final at 21 years, 11 months, and 3 days, but Duhé accomplished this at a younger age.
Additionally, Duhé was recorded as the youngest French player to start in a UCL final.
UEFA named Duhé the Player of the Match (POTM). Duhé expressed, "I can’t put it into words. It’s incredibly surreal and absolutely amazing."
In the early moments of the first half, both teams engaged in a tactical battle.
PSG scored the opening goal relatively early. In the 12th minute of the first half, Duhé received a through pass from Vitinha and sent a low, quick cross to Hakimi, who was centrally positioned in front of the Inter goal. Hakimi, unmarked, calmly netted with a right-footed shot.
Hakimi, who played for Inter during the 2020-2021 season, refrained from celebrating after scoring.
Riding the momentum, PSG added a second goal in the 20th minute of the first half. Duhé, who assisted the first goal, found the net this time. He shot with his right foot from a counterattack after receiving a precise cross from Dembélé. The shot deflected off an opponent before resulting in a goal.
Inter worked hard to reclaim a goal. In the 37th minute, Turán attempted a header from a corner kick. However, the ball narrowly missed the goal.
Two minutes of stoppage time were given. Kvaratskhelia aimed for the team’s third goal with a header from a corner kick, but did not connect with the goal.
The first half ended with PSG leading 2-0.
PSG dominated the first half. According to UEFA's official website, PSG recorded 61% possession, while Inter managed only 39%. The number of shots was also in favor of PSG, with 13 (5 on target) compared to 2 (none on target) for Inter.
In the 5th minute of the second half, PSG sought to score again. Kvaratskhelia lost his balance on the left side of the box but managed to take a shot, which hit the side netting.
PSG's attacking power did not diminish. In the 15th minute of the second half, Hakimi aimed for a multi-goal with a decisive shot from the right flank but was blocked by the defense.
The outcome of the match was practically sealed. In the 18th minute of the second half, Duhé gifted PSG another goal. Dembélé, positioned in the midfield, made a brilliant individual effort to make a short forward pass to Vitinha. Dribbling past the defense, Vitinha provided the ball to Duhé, who was on the right side of the box. He did not waste the chance, scoring with a smooth one-touch shot.
Riding the momentum, PSG scored another goal in the 28th minute of the second half. A long pass from Dembélé completely pierced through Inter's defensive line. Kvaratskhelia received the ball, dribbled, and scored decisively in a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper.
Lee Kang-in’s participation did not materialize. In the 39th minute of the second half, PSG had exhausted all five substitution cards, and Lee Kang-in was not included among the substitutes.
Inter struggled diligently to score at least one goal. However, breaking through PSG's overwhelming performance proved challenging.
Instead, PSG increased their lead to 5-0. In the 41st minute of the second half, substitute Mayulu received a shot from Barcola and scored from the side with a precise effort.
The match concluded with PSG winning 5-0.
Lee Kang-in became the second Korean player to experience UCL victory after Park Ji-sung. Park was part of the Manchester United (Man U) team that won in the 2007-2008 season, although he did not play in the final. He later reached the final twice (2008-2009, 2010-2011), but Man U finished as runners-up in those instances.
Son Heung-min also appeared in the final while playing for Tottenham in the 2018-2019 season, but he has not won a trophy.
If Lee Kang-in had played in the UCL final and secured victory, it would have marked a historic first for Korean football, but he has to wait for the next opportunity.
Immediately after the match, the victory ceremony took place. Following Hakimi, Lee Kang-in received a medal and participated in the trophy ceremony, enjoying the joy of victory with a bright expression alongside his teammates.
There was a 'blemish.' During the medal ceremony, when it was Lee Kang-in's turn, the broadcast camera suddenly shifted away. This moment could be perceived as discriminatory.
The reason for not capturing Lee Kang-in could be to focus on the moment Hakimi kissed the trophy.
Lee Kang-in, wearing the medal around his neck, enjoyed the victory with a cheerful expression. He also posed for a commemorative photo with excellent positioning.
Luis Enrique, PSG's head coach, honored his late youngest daughter, who passed away six years ago, by wearing a specially designed outfit at the conclusion of the match.
Enrique has three children: the eldest son, Pacho Martinez, the eldest daughter, Sira Martinez, and the youngest daughter, Sana.
However, Sana passed away from osteosarcoma at the young age of 9 in September 2019. When they parted ways, Coach Enrique expressed, "My daughter Sana will become a star and guide our family. I will miss her greatly," and added, "I will remember Sana every day. One day, we will meet again," announcing the news of her passing.
According to foreign news outlet Footboom, throughout the match, Coach Enrique wore a plain black t-shirt, black pants, and white sneakers, but immediately after the victory was secured, he changed into a special shirt depicting himself and Sana standing on the pitch.
When Enrique was the coach of Barcelona during the 2014-2015 season, he led the team to a 3-1 victory over Juventus to win the UCL. After that match, he waved a flag symbolic of Catalonia with Sana.
Enrique wore a special commemorative shirt featuring a scene that allows him to recall that moment.
He had often stated that the moment he waved the flag with Sana was the most precious moment of his life.
A heartfelt tribute continued among the fans. They displayed a large tifo (banner) featuring the scene of Coach Enrique and Sana waving the flag in the stands.
BBC reported, "When the fans unveiled the tifo, Coach Enrique showed an emotional expression."
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