In an extraordinary culmination of the European football season, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) claimed their place in history by dominating Inter Milan 5-0 in the UEFA Champions League final held in Munich. This remarkable victory not only secured PSG a historic treble but also set a record for the largest margin in a major international football final. While Ajax’s 6-0 win against AC Milan in the 1974 UEFA Super Cup is sometimes mentioned, it’s not universally categorized as a major title. PSG’s triumph represents a long-awaited achievement in the Champions League, marking a 31-year journey since their inaugural appearance in the competition—a record for the longest gap between a team’s first match and their first championship title. Furthermore, PSG’s recent performance demonstrated their offensive prowess, as they became the only team to feature seven distinct goalscorers in a single Champions League match, highlighted by their 7-0 victory over Brest.
Despite their heavy defeat in the final, Inter Milan’s remarkable campaign throughout the tournament should not be overlooked. True to their storied defensive legacy, Inter set a new record by not conceding a single goal for 539 minutes—the previous record held by Manchester United at 481 minutes during their run to the final in the 2010-11 season. Inter’s formidable defense was pivotal as they navigated through tough matches against elite teams like Manchester City and Arsenal, demonstrating resilience that culminated in their appearance in the championship match.
Barcelona, while not reaching the final, showcased individual brilliance from their players that provided noteworthy highlights throughout the tournament. Raphinha matched a longstanding record by contributing the most goal involvements in a single Champions League season, achieving 22 total points through 13 goals and 9 assists. Young talent Lamine Yamal also made headlines by becoming the youngest player ever to score in a Champions League semi-final at just 17 years old, surpassing Kylian Mbappe’s previous record. These accolades highlight Barcelona’s potential as they rebuild for future competitions, even as they faced early elimination.
The Champions League season also saw significant achievements from established teams like Bayern Munich and Real Madrid. Thomas Müller further solidified his legacy by becoming the player with the most appearances for a single club in the Champions League era, now reaching a total of 163 matches. Meanwhile, Harry Kane made headlines with his unprecedented feat of scoring a hat-trick of penalties in a single match against Dinamo Zagreb. On the endurance front, Real Madrid extended their streak to 28 consecutive seasons in the Champions League, continuing their record of reaching the knockout stages each year.
Carlo Ancelotti, with his extensive managerial experience, added to his legacy by extending his record for the most managerial appearances in the competition to 218, not to mention his substantial number of Champions League victories at 124. Such achievements underline the consistency and sustained excellence that have characterized both Bayern and Real Madrid in recent years, further enriching the competition’s history.
Meanwhile, Girona and Feyenoord made headlines for different reasons. Both clubs collectively established a new record for the most own goals in a single Champions League season, with four own goals each, eclipsing Fenerbahçe’s 2007-08 record. Feyenoord’s Gernot Trauner even became the first player to score two own goals in a single UCL match during a 6-1 defeat to Lille. These unusual occurrences serve as a reminder of the competition’s unpredictability, ensuring that while skill and talent shine through, the element of chance plays a critical role in shaping the tournament’s narratives.
