Kagame congratulates PSG on back-to-back Champions League triumph

Africa, Sports

KIGALI, Rwanda (NPA) — Rwandan President Paul Kagame has congratulated Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on winning the 2026 UEFA Champions League title after the French club defeated Arsenal 4-3 on penalties in the final in Budapest.

The match ended 1-1 after regulation and extra time before PSG prevailed in the shootout to retain the European crown.

In a statement posted on Saturday, Kagame praised PSG, one of Rwanda’s tourism partners through the #VisitRwanda campaign, for securing a second consecutive Champions League title.

“Congratulations to our #VisitRwanda partner Paris Saint-Germain on their well-deserved UEFA Champions League title and on being crowned champions for the second consecutive year,” Kagame wrote.

He also commended Arsenal for reaching the final and their performance throughout the competition.

“Congratulations as well to Arsenal on reaching the final and fighting with determination until the very end.

“Both clubs have made their supporters proud, but tonight, PSG proved to be the better team,” he added.

Arsenal took the lead in the fifth minute through Kai Havertz before PSG equalised in the 65th minute when Ousmane Dembélé converted from the penalty spot after a foul on Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

Both sides created opportunities to secure victory in normal and extra time, but neither could find a decisive goal.

The match was eventually settled by penalties, where Arsenal suffered a setback after Eberechi Eze missed his spot-kick.

Morocco international Achraf Hakimi converted the decisive penalty to hand PSG a historic victory.

The triumph made PSG only the second club in the modern UEFA Champions League era, after Real Madrid, to successfully defend the title.

For Arsenal, the defeat extended the club’s wait for a first Champions League crown despite reaching their first final in 20 years.