The euphoria following Paris Saint-Germain’s historic Champions League triumph over Arsenal in a penalty shootout (1-1 a.e.t., 4-3 on penalties) quickly spiraled into chaos. Violent clashes and widespread vandalism erupted in the streets of Paris and other French cities as celebrations turned ugly.

The Parc des Princes stadium, packed with over 48,000 ecstatic fans, became the epicenter of jubilant chants: « Champions d’Europe », « Ici c’est Paris », « Luis Enrique », and « le back-to-back ». Fireworks lit up the pitch while supporters reveled in their team’s second consecutive European title.

Celebrations marred by violence

Despite deploying 22,000 police and gendarmes, including 8,000 dedicated to Paris and its surrounding areas, the night ended with 219 injured, eight of them in critical condition. The Interior Ministry confirmed that 57 law enforcement officers were also hurt, one severely in Agen.

Tragedy struck just after 1:10 AM when a motorcyclist crashed into a barrier of concrete blocks on the Porte Maillot exit ramp of the outer ring road. The blocks, reportedly one meter high and clearly marked, caused a fatal collision. The victim, a man born in 2002, was pronounced dead at 2:20 AM. Authorities have opened an investigation to determine the exact circumstances of the accident.

Around 4:00 AM, a stabbing incident unfolded in Paris’s 16th arrondissement. Four assailants armed with knives attacked a 17-year-old man, inflicting serious wounds to his eye and mouth. The victim, bleeding heavily, fell into a coma and was rushed to a Parisian hospital with life-threatening injuries. The attackers fled the scene.

Nationwide, authorities report 780 arrests, with incidents reported in Grenoble, Dijon, Besançon, and other cities. In Grenoble alone, extensive property damage was recorded during a night of unrest.

Massive public gathering planned for Champ-de-Mars

Near the Parc des Princes, around 150 individuals attempted to force their way into the stadium but were repelled by police. Meanwhile, celebrations are set to continue on Sunday afternoon, with nearly 100,000 fans expected on the Champ-de-Mars to honor the team’s return to Paris before a planned visit to the Élysée Palace and another gathering at the Parc des Princes in the evening.