Honestly, if you had told me at the start of the 2024-25 season that Paris Saint-Germain would finally win the Champions League by putting five goals past an Italian defense, I would’ve probably asked what you were drinking.
We all know the narrative. PSG spends billions, buys every superstar on the planet, and then collapses the moment a breeze hits them in the knockout stages. But May 31, 2025, changed everything. The PSG vs Inter Milan final wasn't just a football match; it was a total demolition that felt like the end of one era and the violent birth of another.
The Allianz Arena in Munich has a weird habit of crowning first-time winners—think Chelsea in 2012 or Marseille in '93—and the Parisians kept that streak alive in the most ruthless way imaginable.
The Night Inter's Wall Crumbled
Inter Milan fans arrived in Munich expecting a tactical masterclass. Simone Inzaghi had built a machine. They’d just survived a 7-6 aggregate heart-stopper against Barcelona in the semis, and let's be real, the Nerazzurri are usually the ones doing the suffocating.
But from the 12th minute, it was clear this wasn't the usual Inter.
Achraf Hakimi, playing against his former club, didn't just score the opener; he dismantled their left flank. He didn't celebrate, out of respect or whatever, but the damage was done. Vitinha was basically telepathic that night, finding gaps in Inter's 3-5-2 that didn't even exist on the tactical board.
By the time Désiré Doué made it 2-0 at the 20-minute mark, the Inter supporters were already looking at the exits. Doué is only 19. Imagine being a teenager and making Francesco Acerbi, a guy who’s seen it all, look like he was running through quicksand. It was kinda painful to watch.
Why This Wasn't the "Old" PSG
For years, PSG was the "Mbappé, Neymar, and Messi" show. It was flashy, but it was fragile.
Luis Enrique changed that. This team that faced Inter didn't have a massive ego at the center. Instead, they had:
- Khvicha Kvaratskhelia causing absolute chaos on the wing.
- Ousmane Dembélé actually staying fit and providing two assists.
- Willian Pacho making goal-line clearances that felt as important as the goals themselves.
They weren't playing for the cameras. They were playing like a bunch of hungry kids who didn't know they were supposed to be nervous. The average age of the PSG starting eleven was 24.8 years. Compare that to Inter's 30.2, and you see why the second half looked like a track meet.
Inter tried to fight back. Marcus Thuram had a header that missed by an inch. If that goes in, maybe we have a different game. But it didn't.
The 5-0 Scoreline: Breaking the History Books
Most Champions League finals are cagey. A 1-0 or a 2-1 is the norm.
But a 5-0? That’s unprecedented. It’s officially the most lopsided final in the history of the competition.
- Achraf Hakimi (12’) – The clinical start.
- Désiré Doué (20’) – The deflected shot that broke Inter's spirit.
- Désiré Doué (63’) – A brace for the kid, assisted by a Vitinha backheel.
- Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (73’) – A breakaway goal that felt like a funeral bell.
- Senny Mayulu (86’) – Another 19-year-old coming off the bench to rub salt in the wound.
When the whistle blew, it wasn't just a win. It was a treble. PSG took Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, and the big ears all in one go. Luis Enrique joined the elite club of managers with two trebles, right next to Pep Guardiola.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Result
Some critics say Inter just "bottled it." That's a bit lazy, honestly.
Inter was exhausted. They were chasing the Scudetto and the Coppa Italia until the final weeks, and their "veteran" status finally caught up to them. Federico Dimarco had a nightmare game, but it wasn't for lack of trying—he was just being pulled out of position by Dembélé and Hakimi constantly.
Also, can we talk about the "rebuilding year" myth? Everyone said PSG would suck after Mbappé left for Real Madrid. Instead, they became a coherent team. They traded individual brilliance for tactical discipline. It turns out, when you don't have one guy taking 30% of the touches, everyone else actually steps up.
Key Takeaways for the Future of European Football
The PSG vs Inter Milan final proved that the power dynamic is shifting.
First, the "French Curse" is dead. Since Marseille in 1993, French teams were 0-6 in finals. That monkey is off their back now.
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Second, age matters more than we think. In a high-pressing system like Enrique's, older teams like Inter will eventually gape. The physical gap between the two sides in the final 20 minutes was staggering.
Lastly, Inter needs a reset. This loss was Simone Inzaghi's last game before leaving by mutual consent. They’re a great club, but that specific group of players reached their ceiling in Munich.
What to watch for next:
- Keep an eye on Désiré Doué’s market value; it’s basically gone through the roof.
- Watch how Inter rebuilds their aging midfield this summer.
- Expect PSG to be the favorites for the 2026 title now that the "mental block" is gone.
The 2025 final wasn't a fluke. It was a warning. If you’re a football fan, you’ll be talking about that 5-0 scoreline for the next decade.