both teams score in champions league final for first time in eight years

The dramatic equalizer by Ousmane Dembélé in the 65th minute for Paris Saint-Germain against Arsenal (1-1) ended an unprecedented eight-year streak in the UEFA Champions League final. This rare occurrence last happened in 2018 when Real Madrid defeated Liverpool 3-1, marking the first time since the 2018 final that both finalists managed to score.

The previous seven finals between 2019 and 2025 had seen one team fail to find the net entirely. This pattern is not unprecedented in the competition’s history; a similar dry spell occurred between 1988 and 1996, with eight consecutive finals featuring only one team scoring.

the seven one-sided champions league finals

• 2019: Liverpool 2-0 Tottenham
• 2020: Bayern Munich 1-0 Paris Saint-Germain
• 2021: Chelsea 1-0 Manchester City
• 2022: Real Madrid 1-0 Liverpool
• 2023: Manchester City 1-0 Inter Milan
• 2024: Real Madrid 2-0 Borussia Dortmund
• 2025: Paris Saint-Germain 5-0 Inter Milan

The 2026 final between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal will be remembered not only for the thrilling 1-1 draw but also for breaking this unusual trend. Dembélé’s crucial intervention came after Khvicha Kvaratskhelia won a penalty, demonstrating PSG’s resilience in high-pressure moments.

While the competition has seen its share of dominant performances, the return of two-way scoring in the final brings a refreshing dynamic to the prestigious tournament, reminding fans of the unpredictable nature of football’s biggest stage.