Half-time reading<\/p>\n
The World Cup starts in less than a fortnight, you know.<\/p>\n
Share<\/a>Half time: Paris Saint-Germain 0-1 Arsenal<\/p>\n That was the first half of Mikel Arteta\u2019s dreams. Kai Havertz, selected ahead of Viktor Gyokeres, scored a superb early goal and Arsenal<\/a> kept PSG at arm\u2019s length for the rest of the first half. Any team in history, even Franco Baresi\u2019s AC Milan, would have been proud of such an immaculate defensive performance. But they have to do it all over again when the second half begins.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 45+7 min Arsenal win a corner on the stroke of half-time\u2026 and the referee blows for the break before they can take it. Somewhere in the world, Clive Thomas nods knowingly.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 45+5 min Fabian Ruiz thrashes an awkward cross-shot from the left wing that is spilled by David Raya. Happily for Arsenal<\/a>, he has enough time to retrieve the loose ball.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>45+3 min: Vital tackle by Marquinhos!<\/p>\n Arsenal work the ball superbly on the right. Mosquera plays a square ball into Odegaard, who slips a lovely first-time pass through to Havertz. He takes a touch and hits a shot from eight yards that is crucially blocked by Marquinhos. Yikes, that was so close to 2-0. I\u2019d like to see it again to see whether Havertz\u2019s first touch was too heavy.<\/p>\n Marquinhos earns his corn. Photograph: Andreea Alexandru\/APShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a012.56 EDT<\/p>\n 45+1 min PSG continue to trust the process, with few signs of impatience when they have the ball. It\u2019s fascinating to watch, even if there have been no clear chances at either end.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 45 min There will be six minutes of added time, mainly because of the drinks break and the Safonov injury.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 45 min PSG are starting to look more dangerous as we approach half-time. Dembele turns Trossard neatly just outside the area before slapping a curler into orbit.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 44 min \u201cMy favourite of the genre was Batigol at Wembley,\u201d writes Niall Mullen. \u201cA collector\u2019s item as well, the ball somehow going over Seaman\u2019s head.\u201d<\/p>\n A veritable Batigolazo.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 43 min Mendes gets round the back and hammers a cross that is only partially cleared by Hincapie. Fabian Ruiz lunges for the loose ball, six yards out, but heads wide. Half a chance, which makes it PSG\u2019s best so far.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 42 min \u201cIt may just be me,\u201d writes Gary, \u201cbut Fabian Ruiz looks like a confused banker after a few pints wandering around the city in his gilet suddenly remembering he\u2019s playing in the Champions League<\/a> final.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 41 min Mendes tries an imaginative pass around the Arsenal defence towards Dembele. He doesn\u2019t quite get it right, however, and it\u2019s cut out on the edge of the area by you-know-who<\/a>.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 40 min \u201cThat Havertz strike reminded me of the one on one method favoured by former Arsenal<\/a> centre forward Malcolm Macdonald,\u201d writes Brian Withington. \u201cHe was apparently coached to put his laces through the ball aimed directly at the keeper\u2019s throat – the theory being that the latter would instinctively flinch and get out of the way or need urgent replacement.<\/p>\n \u201dI saw him put theory into practice at Upton Park against Bobby Ferguson who just managed to get his head down and hands up but could only partially arrest the ball\u2019s progress into the net.\u201d<\/p>\n Are you saying goalkeepers don\u2019t like it up \u2018em?<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 38 min Arsenal\u2019s defensive performance so far is about as good as it gets. PSG, the best attacking team in the world, have had 76 per cent possession and no shots on target.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 37 min Dembele whacks a curler from the edge of the box that is superbly blocked by the stretching Gabriel. He\u2019s in John Terry mode, throwing himself in front of everything and everyone.<\/p>\n Ousmane Dembele\u2019s shot is blocked by Gabriel. Photograph: Richard Heathcote\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a012.48 EDT<\/p>\n 36 min Saka is barged over by Nuno Mendes, a needless foul that reflects PSG\u2019s burgeoning frustration. Rice swings the free-kick into the box and Havertz is penalised for something or other.<\/p>\n Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka is felled by Paris St Germain’s Nuno Mendes. Photograph: M\u00e1rton M\u00f3nus\/ReutersShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a012.45 EDT<\/p>\n 35 min \u201cA drinks break in 24C weather?!\u201d sniffs Peter Oh. \u201cThe game\u2019s gone. And in any case, the players are more Hungary than thirsty.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 34 min A cute-looking chip into the area from Dembele is claimed easily by Raya. Arsenal<\/a> are defending immaculately.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 32 min \u201cThat was a Giggsesque finish by Havertz,<\/a>\u201d says Justin Kavanagh. \u201cShame it was too early in the game for a hairy-chested shirt twirl. But then the German seems a bit more circumspect than that.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a012.38 EDT<\/p>\n 31 min Doue plays a give-and-go, moves into the area and is expertly tackled by Gabriel. There\u2019s no eye in the Arsenal<\/a> needle, not even for PSG.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 29 min \u201cI\u2019m still scarred by that unwatchable 1994 final between Arsenal<\/a> and Parma,\u201d says Niall Mullen. \u201cAt least I know that next year Raya will be beaten from the halfway line by a former Spurs player.\u201d<\/p>\n Harold Kane esq.?<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 28 min Safonov is okay to continue.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 26 min Lewis-Skelly surges through midfield and finds Odegaard. He gives the ball to Saka, whose dangerous right-foot cross is pawed away bravely by Safonov, diving in front of Trossard. He was accidentally caught on the head, either by Trossard or Marquinhos, and needs treatment.<\/p>\n That was a vital piece of goalkeeping, without which Trossard may well have scored.<\/p>\n PSG keeper Matvey Safonov claws the ball away from Arsenal\u2019s Leandro Trossard. Photograph: Phil Noble\/ReutersBut his head is caught by the knee of teammate Marquinhos. Ouch. Photograph: Maxim Thore\/BILDBYR\u00c5N\/ShutterstockShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a012.43 EDT<\/p>\n 24 min Play resumes. In terms of chances it was a dull first quarter, not that Arsenal<\/a> should or will care.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 23 min Time for a drinks break. What happened to all those Arsenal-branded water bottles?<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 22 min \u201cWith Arteta at Arsenal<\/a> and the rumours about this afternoon\u2019s managerial merry-go-round, it\u2019s astonishing to think that contemporaneous Basques could be running leading great British football institutions (and Chelsea) at the start of next season,\u201d says Paul Griffin. \u201cI imagine they may be some concerns about this in the Basque region and my only advice would be that they should leave the EU. Our likely future PM has explained that there are only sunlit uplands to this.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 20 min Arsenal are defending with their usual expertise and authority. Whether you can do that for 90 minutes against PSG I\u2019m not sure, but right now they are relatively comfortable.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 18 min Saka tried to clear the ball, missed his kick and the ball hit the top of his chest before deflecting onto his arm. You never know in the Champions League<\/a> but on this occasion it\u2019s been cleared.<\/p>\n PSG have had 80 per cent possession but no shots on target.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 16 min PSG appeal for a penalty when the ball hits the arm of Saka in the Arsenal<\/a> area. Nothing given on the field but I assume it will be checked.<\/p>\n The Paris St Germain players claim handball as Bukayo Saka clears. Photograph: M\u00e1rton M\u00f3nus\/ReutersShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a012.31 EDT<\/p>\n 14 min \u201cI\u2019m still trying to work out why the PSG goalkeeper kept his arms pinned to his side like a defender trying to avoid a handball shout,\u201d says Adam Roberts.<\/p>\n I assume it was the 0.021 seconds of reaction time. (I don\u2019t think he\u2019s a great keeper, mind.)<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 13 min Fabian Ruiz makes a good run into space on the left but drags an indeterminate cross-shot well off target.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 12 min Fun fact: the chant \u201c1-0 to the Arsenal\u201d began in Paris in 1994.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 11 min A loose ball almost breaks for Kvaratskhelia in the Arsenal<\/a> area. He\u2019s about to shoot from eight yards when Gabriel stretches a leg around him to make a brilliant challenge.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 10 min The last team to come from behind to win a Champions League<\/a> final was Real Madrid in 2014. Before that it was Chelsea in 2012 and then Barcelona in 2006, against Arsenal.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 8 min Since you asked, Alan Smith\u2019s goal against Parma in 1994 was scored in the 20th minute.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n What a finish from Havertz! A ricochet on the halfway line allowed him to gallop into space on the left. He kept going, all the way into the area, realised there was no support and lashed a rising drive past Safonov from a very tight angle.<\/p>\n Perhaps Safonov could have done better \u2013 he was starting to crouch and the ball went straight above his head \u2013 but it was a brilliant strike.<\/p>\n Arsenal\u2019s Kai Havertz shoots \u2026 Photograph: Phil Noble\/ReutersThe ball flies above PSG keeper Matvey Safonov and Arsenal have the lead. Photograph: David Price\/Arsenal FC\/Getty ImagesHavertz (centre) celebrates with teammates Martin Odegaard (left) and Piero Hincapie. Photograph: Nick Potts\/PAThere\u2019s joy amongst the Arsenal fans too. Photograph: Mike Egerton\/PAShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a012.26 EDT<\/p>\n GOAL! PSG 0-1 Arsenal (Havertz 6)<\/p>\n Kai Havertz has scored in another Champions League<\/a> final!<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 5 min Fabian Ruiz fouls Saka, throws the ball away and is a bit fortunate to escape a yellow card.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 3 min A pretty quiet start, with PSG popping the ball around in their own half.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 1 min Peep peep!<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cWas that Jurgen Klopp on bass in The Killers?\u201d asks Simon McMahon. \u201cIn any event, Uefa missed a trick not getting Nathan \u2018The Asp\u2019 Aspinall to come out during Mr Brightside wearing a half and half scarf<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n Arf! Talking of darts, I invite any lovers of empathy to watch this clip<\/a> and not shed a tear or fifty.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cEveryone thinks Arsenal<\/a> could be on for a real hiding tonight, so perhaps we should ask how Chelsea managed to beat them in the Club World Cup final,\u201d writes Philip West. \u201cMany probably expected PSG to roll them over too, but somehow they lost. Can we clutch straws from any of this?\u201d<\/p>\n You betcha<\/a>.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n The players are about to emerge from the tunnel. PSG beat Arsenal<\/a> 3-1 on aggregate in last year\u2019s semi-final \u2013 but that scoreline was slightly flattering, and Gianluigi Donnarumma made three awesome saves across the two legs. Arsenal know they can hurt PSG; now they just have to beat them.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI like The Killers,\u201d says Andrew Goudie. \u201cBbut come on, not now.\u201d<\/p>\n Agreed. They should be on at half-time, surely.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cSitting in my local sports club bar in near solitude,\u201d writes Andy Gordon. \u201cI\u2019m wondering if either Arsenal<\/a> are even more unpopular than I thought, a lot of people are assuming that kick off is the usual 8pm or I\u2019m missing a cracking episode of Location, Location, Location?\u201d<\/p>\n Do you live in the Kerguelen Islands?<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not against an earlier kick off, and I noted Ceferin\u2019s comment on more time for \u2018reflecting on the game of the season\u2019,\u201d begins Rob Knap. \u201cThose words conjure images of turtle-neck sweaters, chin scratching and wise discussion at cafe tables. If Arsenal<\/a> win, I would like to think their fans will find an altogether more appropriate way to \u2018reflect\u2019 on their victory (fortunately, Budapest caters for both approaches).\u201d<\/p>\n I hope your friend and mine, Barry Ferst<\/a>, is at the game and can be picked out in the crowd.<\/p>\n Share<\/a> Before the Champions League<\/a> final, I want to spare a thought for one of the eliminated semi-finalists. Diego Simeone impresses me. For 15 years, he has had to push the boulder up the mountain again and again with Atl\u00e9tico Madrid. We at Bayern Munich were knocked out by him during our peak phase in 2016. Now I read somewhere that Simeone should question himself. Yet he asserts himself time and again with inferior means. It is a pity, Sisyphus Simeone has long deserved a Champions League title.<\/p>\n Two other clubs remain whose coaches take a similar approach. Resembling conductors, they pedantically practise distances, sequences, passes, choreograph their defence and orchestrate their attack. Their operating system, ball-oriented zonal marking, is state of the art. Their team behaves like a swarm. Last year, Paris Saint-Germain against Arsenal was the semi-final<\/a>; this year, they are determining the winner. The right teams are in the final.<\/p>\n![\"Philipp](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/philipp_lahm.png\")
Philipp Lahm<\/p>\n