Football news today 31/5: Arsenal suffers a painful defeat, PSG makes Champions League history

PSG successfully defended their Champions League crown following a thrilling and disputed final against Arsenal, as Cong Phuong and Truong Tuoi Dong Nai earned promotion to V-League, and Indonesia is anxiously anticipating the showdown with Vietnam in the 2026 ASEAN Championship.

PSG retains the European throne

PSG continues to assert their dominance in Europe by defeating Arsenal 4-3 on penalties in the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League final held at Puskas Arena. Despite conceding an early goal to Kai Havertz, the French side showed the resilience of defending champions by persistently applying pressure and equalizing through a cool penalty from Dembele.

After 120 minutes of play with a 1-1 draw, the teams entered a nerve-wracking penalty shootout. Here, PSG showed greater composure, converting all four of their spot-kicks, while Arsenal fell short due to missed attempts by Eze and Gabriel. The thrilling victory allowed Enrique's squad to successfully defend their championship in the Champions League, while Arsenal once again missed their chance to claim the most prestigious trophy in European club football.

Paris Saint-Germain officially etches their name into Champions League history!

Following Real Madrid, PSG becomes the second club in the Champions League era to successfully defend the European title. From a team once haunted by painful collapses, PSG has now risen to the status of a true powerhouse.

Congratulations to Coach Luis Enrique and his players. A PSG that no longer relies solely on stars, but rather a courageous, tenacious collective that knows how to win at decisive moments.

Paris no longer dreams of history. They are writing their own history.

Referee sparks controversy in Champions League final

One of the most contentious moments of the 2025/26 Champions League final did not come from a goal or penalty shootout, but rather from the whistle of referee Daniel Siebert.

In the final seconds of the first half, Arsenal were awarded a corner kick and were preparing for their last attacking opportunity. However, the official unexpectedly blew the whistle to end the half before the ball was delivered, sparking furious reactions from Arsenal players. Siebert later explained that he deemed Arsenal had taken too long to execute the set piece despite prior warnings.

This decision quickly sparked a wave of debate on social media. Many argued that the referee was overly strict for a Champions League final, while others maintained he was fully entitled to act under the rules. Right or wrong, this will certainly be one of the most talked-about incidents following the night PSG beat Arsenal to defend their European crown.

Luis Enrique: "This title is even more special"

Coach Enrique did not hide his joy after PSG defeated Arsenal on penalties to successfully retain the Champions League title. Notably, the Spanish tactician asserted that this year's trophy holds even greater significance than their historic triumph last season.

"This victory is bigger than last season. Arsenal were a very strong opponent, and winning again is extremely special for PSG and the city of Paris," Enrique shared after the match.

Thanks to the victory in Budapest, PSG became the first team since Real Madrid's 2016-2018 run to successfully defend the Champions League title. Enrique also placed his name among the rare coaches with three Champions League titles in their career.

With five trophies won in the 2025/26 season, PSG is proving they are no longer the "rich club lacking grit" but have truly become a new force in European football.

Arteta heartbroken after defeat:

Arsenal were so close to the pinnacle of Europe, but ultimately fell painfully to PSG in the Champions League final. After losing 3-4 on penalties, Coach Arteta could not hide his disappointment as he watched the championship dream shatter before his eyes.

The Spanish manager admitted this was one of the most painful moments of his coaching career. He also argued that Arsenal were denied a penalty in extra time after Madueke went down in the box, a decision that could have changed the outcome of the match.

Nevertheless, Arteta praised his players for their memorable journey. Arsenal not only ended a 22-year wait to win the Premier League but also reached the Champions League final for the second time in their history. The 44-year-old coach urged the team to turn the current pain into motivation to come back stronger in the future.

Cong Phuong and Xuan Truong lead Dong Nai to V-League promotion

Truong Tuoi Dong Nai officially became the champions of the 2025/26 First Division after a convincing 3-0 victory over Long An, securing promotion to the V-League one round early.

After a goalless first half with several missed chances, the turning point came early in the second half when Sandro converted a penalty to open the scoring. Just over ten minutes later, Xuan Truong rose high to head home from a corner taken by Cong Phuong, before the number 10 striker himself sealed the 3-0 win with a delicate finish.

Notably, this was the third consecutive match in which Cong Phuong scored, contributing significantly to Dong Nai achieving their promotion goal. For Xuan Truong, Minh Vuong, and Cong Phuong, this championship also marks their first club-level team trophy after many years in professional football.

A new chapter is opening for Dong Nai in the 2026/27 V-League.

Indonesia eagerly awaits the big clash with Vietnam

Although the 2026 ASEAN Championship has yet to begin, Indonesian media and fans have already focused their attention on the match against Vietnam on August 3 at Pakansari Stadium. This is seen as a potential decider for Group A standings as well as a spot in the semifinals.

Indonesian football expert Ronny Pangemanan stated that this is the most anticipated match for the archipelago nation's team in the group stage. According to him, the appeal comes not only from the professional aspect but also from the growing rivalry between the two leading football nations in Southeast Asia. He believes that Pakansari Stadium will be packed to capacity on the day Indonesia hosts Vietnam.

Given that Indonesia is likely to field only domestic league players due to the ASEAN Championship not being on the FIFA Days calendar, the encounter with Vietnam is seen as a crucial test for the archipelago nation's ambitions to conquer the regional title.