It finally happened. After years of heartbreak, massive spending, and "nearly" moments that became the punchline of every football meme on the internet, Paris Saint-Germain are the kings of Europe. Honestly, if you’d told a PSG fan back in September that they’d be lifting the trophy in Munich after finishing 15th in the league phase, they probably would’ve laughed you out of the room. But football is weird like that.
On May 31, 2025, the Allianz Arena bore witness to something nobody actually saw coming: a 5-0 demolition. PSG didn’t just beat Inter Milan; they essentially erased them from the pitch. It was the most one-sided final in the 70-year history of the European Cup.
Who won the UCL 2025?
Paris Saint-Germain won the 2025 UEFA Champions League by defeating Inter Milan with a staggering 5-0 scoreline. It wasn't a cagey, tactical chess match. It was a statement. Luis Enrique, the man who’s basically made a career out of proving doubters wrong, guided a squad that many thought was "too young" to the ultimate prize.
This victory marks PSG’s first-ever Champions League title. They’ve joined Marseille as the only French clubs to ever touch the "Big Ears" trophy. But while Marseille’s 1993 win was a gritty 1-0, PSG’s 2025 triumph was a high-octane offensive masterclass.
The Match That Changed Everything
The game started with a frantic energy. PSG didn't wait to "feel out" the Italian defense. Just 12 minutes in, Vitinha—who has blossomed into arguably one of the best midfielders in the world—found Désiré Doué. The teenager didn't hesitate, sliding a pass to Achraf Hakimi who slotted it home.
Hakimi didn't celebrate. You’ve gotta respect that, considering he used to play for Inter. But the PSG fans in the stands? They didn't care about the etiquette. They were sensing blood.
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By the 20th minute, it was 2-0. Doué, the 19-year-old who basically owned the night, fired a shot that took a nasty deflection off Federico Dimarco. Yann Sommer, Inter’s veteran keeper, could only watch as it looped into the net. Inter looked shell-shocked. Simone Inzaghi was pacing the touchline like a man watching his house burn down, unable to find a fire extinguisher.
A Historic Scoreline in Munich
The second half was just more of the same. If Inter had any hopes of a "Istanbul-style" comeback, they were extinguished in the 63rd minute when Doué bagged his second. Then came Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. The January signing from Napoli—who has been a revelation—made it 4-0 in the 73rd minute.
To put the icing on the cake, another teenager, Senny Mayulu, came off the bench to score the fifth in the 86th minute. 5-0. In a Champions League final. It’s the kind of scoreline you expect in the early rounds against a semi-pro team, not against the giants of Serie A.
The Path to the Allianz Arena
PSG’s journey was anything but smooth. This was the first year of the "Swiss System" format, and PSG struggled early on. They lost to Arsenal and Atlético Madrid in the league phase. They finished 15th.
They had to go through the knockout play-offs, where they absolutely battered Brest 10-0 on aggregate. Then came the real test: Liverpool. After losing the first leg at home, they went to Anfield and pulled off a miracle, winning on penalties. That was the moment people started thinking, "Wait, could they actually do this?"
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- Quarter-finals: They scraped past a resilient Aston Villa 5-4.
- Semi-finals: They faced Arsenal again, winning 3-1 on aggregate to avenge their earlier loss.
- The Final: A historic 5-0 thrashing of Inter Milan.
Why This Win Matters
This wasn't just about a trophy. It was about validation. For years, the narrative was that PSG was just a collection of expensive superstars like Messi, Neymar, and Mbappé who couldn't play as a team. Ironically, they won it the year after the big names left.
Luis Enrique built a cohesive, terrifyingly fast, and incredibly young unit. Winning the continental treble—Ligue 1, Coupe de France, and the UCL—is something no French club had ever achieved. Enrique also became only the second manager ever (after Pep Guardiola) to win the treble twice.
Key Players Who Defined the 2025 Final
You can't talk about who won the UCL 2025 without talking about Désiré Doué. He was the Man of the Match and for good reason. Two goals and an assist in the biggest game of his life. At 19. It’s the stuff of legends.
Then there’s Vitinha. He was the engine room. Every transition went through him. While the attackers got the headlines, Vitinha’s ability to keep the ball under Inter’s intense (if ineffective) press was the real reason PSG dominated possession at 57%.
Ousmane Dembélé also deserves a shout. He didn't score, but his pace on the wing kept Inter’s back three pinned deep. He provided the cross for Doué’s first goal and was a constant nightmare for Alessandro Bastoni.
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The Inter Perspective
Look, Inter aren't a bad team. They beat Barcelona 7-6 on aggregate in a wild semi-final to get here. They have Lautaro Martínez, who is a world-class striker. But on this specific night in Munich, they looked old. They looked slow.
Inzaghi admitted after the match that they were simply outplayed. It happens. But losing 5-0 in a final is a scar that takes a long time to heal.
What’s Next for the Champions?
Now that the "UCL Curse" is broken, PSG is looking at a dynasty. They’ve already secured a spot in the 2025 FIFA Intercontinental Cup and the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup.
If you're a fan of European football, the "new era" has officially arrived. The dominance of the Spanish and English teams was broken by a French side that finally learned how to play for the badge rather than the name on the back of the jersey.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Watch the Replay: If you missed the tactical movement of Vitinha and Doué, go back and watch the 20-minute mark to the 60-minute mark. It's a masterclass in exploiting space.
- Follow the Youth: Keep an eye on Senny Mayulu and Désiré Doué. These aren't just one-hit wonders; they are the future of the French national team.
- Check the New Format: If you’re still confused about how PSG finished 15th and still won, read up on the UEFA Swiss System rules for 2024-25. It changes how we view "group stage" success.
The 2025 Champions League final wasn't just a game; it was the end of one era and the violent beginning of another. Paris has its crown.