The euphoria was palpable the moment Gabriel’s penalty soared into the Budapest night sky. Chants of “Sa-fo-nov, Sa-fo-nov, Sa-fo-nov” echoed through the Grands Boulevards as early as the first successful spot-kick by Gonçalo Ramos. In packed bars, only the tallest of fans—often over 1.80 meters—had a clear view of the penalty shootout drama on television screens, while the rest relied on the growing intensity of each subsequent attempt.

131 arrests recorded as celebrations turn chaotic

The victory triggered a wave of jubilation that spilled onto the Champs-Élysées, where 20,000 supporters gathered despite heightened security. Police conducted thorough checks, yet fireworks and pyrotechnics still found their way into the crowd. Chanting sessions for new anthem-like refrains—“After so many years” and “And Ousmane Ballon d’Or”—were repeatedly interrupted by riot police dispersing the revelers with tear gas.

The standoff between law enforcement and fans persisted throughout the evening. By 11 p.m., authorities reported 131 arrests and one injured officer. This figure marked a significant drop from the previous year’s final, when 559 arrests were recorded after the club’s win against Inter Milan. “There’s less chaos this time around, sure. But it’s not over yet—let’s see how the night unfolds,” commented a riot officer stationed near Rue du Colisée.

Security tightens as festivities continue

The oppressive 37°C heat and familiarity with such scenes may have dulled the usual tension. “I’ve seen this before—not much to stress about now,” shared Benji, a lifelong supporter. From honking car horns on Rue La Boétie to the Grand Boulevards littered with spent fireworks, the remnants of the celebration were undeniable. Yet the presence of a police motorcade at 11 p.m. on Boulevard Montmartre underscored the lingering tensions post-victory.

For hours before the match, tens of thousands had already filled Paris’s sweltering streets, draped in PSG jerseys. Conversations everywhere revolved around the game, with some older fans joking, “I’ll watch it at home—no way I’m ending up in custody over nothing!” The availability of fireworks, even marketed on social media platforms ahead of kickoff, hinted at the night’s anticipated chaos.

As the night wore on, residents navigating the streets—rubbing their tear-gas-irritated eyes—couldn’t help but notice the cause of the commotion. One elderly man turned to his companion and remarked, “I suppose it’s the PSG who won.” And indeed, it was.