Eberechi Eze missed his penalty in the shootout as Arsenal lost 4-3 to PSG after a 1-1 draw; pundits criticised the stutter-step technique and reflected on how one kick decided the final
The Champions League final ended in heartbreak for Arsenal when Eberechi Eze failed to score from the spot during a decisive shootout. After a tense 1-1 draw that required extra time, the match in Budapest moved to penalties. Arsenal had hoped for a memorable double following their Premier League success, but the shootout swung in favour of PSG, finishing 4-3 in the Parisian club’s favour.
The sequence that sealed Arsenal’s fate began in normal time and carried through to the drama of the shootout. The game itself saw goals exchanged, with a goal by Viktor Gyokeres punctuating a sequence of finishes involving PSG players Goncalo Ramos and Desire Doue.
When the match reached the penalty decider, both sides converted several spot-kicks, but Eze’s effort went wide, altering the course of the final minutes and the post-match conversation.
How the penalty unfolded
Stepping up as Arsenal’s second taker, Eberechi Eze tried to unsettle the goalkeeper with a string of rapid stutter steps before striking the ball.
His approach combined short, quick movements that momentarily disrupted the usual rhythm of a penalty run-up. Ultimately, the shot sailed low and wide to the left of the post, missing the target completely, while PSG goalkeeper Matvey Safonov had chosen to stay central and was spared a diving decision.
The tactical choice in a penalty — whether to use a disguise such as a stutter step or to commit to a strong, direct strike — became the centrepiece of pundit debate. Eze’s method, intended to force a goalkeeper into committing early, instead left him without a viable angle when Safonov remained still. The result: a missed opportunity that Arsenal could not recover from in the shootout.
Penalty sequence and immediate aftermath
After Eze’s miss, Arsenal still had chances to stay alive. Goalkeeper David Raya produced a save from Nuno Mendes right after the wide kick, keeping Arsenal within touching distance. But the tension continued to build, and later in the shootout, Gabriel’s attempt went over the bar. That miss proved decisive. Earlier, spot-kicks by Declan Rice, Achraf Hakimi, Gabriel Martinelli and Lucas Beraldo had been converted, while PSG also saw some strong finishes from their takers.
With the shootout scoreline at a tipping point, Gabriel’s miss marked the end of Arsenal’s charge: a final that could have added a Champions League title to the club’s recent domestic success instead ended as a near-miss, leaving PSG to secure back-to-back Champions League victories — a rare achievement in the competition’s modern era.
Pundit reaction and technique debate
On television coverage, former players and pundits dissected Eze’s approach and the broader psychological pressures of a final. Steven Gerrard argued that in a game of such magnitude, simple, decisive execution matters more than complicated routines. He urged players to rely on technique and to “put your foot through it,” stressing that atmosphere and stakes amplify the risks associated with embellishing the run-up.
Owen Hargreaves voiced a similar reservation about the stutter step. He said he has never been a fan of the technique, suggesting it can introduce doubt for the kicker if the goalkeeper remains stationary. Hargreaves contrasted that method with a direct, committed strike — likening it to the approach used by other top takers who aim to pick a corner and execute with power and accuracy. His point was simple: hitting the target gives any taker a chance, while missing the target provides none.
Lessons and perspective
Both pundits and teammates reflected sympathetically on the players involved. The consensus was that these are talented individuals who will learn from the experience. Arsenal’s collective campaign, culminating in a Premier League title and a Champions League final appearance, remains notable, but the final’s story will be remembered for margin and method — the choice to use stutter steps and the resulting missed opportunities.
What this means for Arsenal going forward
The loss prompts reflection on technique, psychology and match-day routines under pressure. Coaches and players will review whether certain penalty strategies are appropriate in high-stakes moments. For the squad, the takeaway is two-fold: celebrate the progress achieved this season while adapting preparation to reduce the chance of a repeat scenario. For fans and analysts, the final will be a case study in how a single missed kick can change sport history.
In summary, Arsenal’s Champions League final defeat was shaped by a narrow margin and tactical micro-decisions: a string of stutter steps, a wide strike from Eberechi Eze, a saved attempt by David Raya, and a decisive miss by Gabriel. Those moments combined to hand PSG a dramatic victory and leave Arsenal to regroup and learn from a dramatic night.
