Updated: Bayern Munich wins 6th Champions League title as Kingsley Coman header downs PSG
Bayern Munich have capped off a perfect season by beating Paris Saint-Germain to win the Champions League.
Kingsley Coman’s header on the hour mark proved to be the difference, giving the Germans the famous trophy for a sixth time in their history.
It meant heartbreak for PSG’s superstars of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, who were hoping to win only France’s second European title, following on from Marseille in 1993.
But for Bayern, it was the most poignant end to a post-lockdown run which saw them romp to the Bundesliga title under new boss Hansi Flick, before storming past their Champions League opponents of Chelsea, Barcelona and Lyon.
PSG goalkeeper Keylor Navas returned from a hamstring injury as the French side made one change for the Champions League final against Bayern Munich.
The German team also made a solitary change from the side which overcame Lyon in the semi-finals, as Kingsley Coman replaced Ivan Perisic.
PSG had received a message of good luck from former England midfielder David Beckham as they prepared for their first Champions League final, while Bayern were preparing for their 11th appearance in European football’s showpiece.
Coman wheels away in celebration as Bayern take the lead in the final, Bayern celebrate going ahead in the Champions League final.
PSG were the first to seriously threaten with 17 minutes gone.
Having had two shots of his own blocked, Kylian Mbappe played in Neymar inside the area, but Manuel Neuer was able to divert his low shot.
Moments later Robert Lewandowski rattled the post with Bayern’s first clear chance, spinning in the penalty area before firing beyond the reach of PSG
goalkeeper Navas.
In the 28th minute, PSG could only clear a free-kick as far as Ander Herrera who struck a powerful shot but saw the ball deflect off Leon Goretzka, though a goal-kick was given.
Neymar could not make the difference for PSG in the Champions League final.
At the other end, Lewandowski went close again, brilliantly adjusting himself to get his head on a deflected cross, but his close-range effort was straight at Navas.
Just before the break, a Bayern mistake gifted the ball to Mbappe inside the area but they overplayed it as he exchanged passes with Di Maria before the France striker shot straight at Neuer.
Bayern then wanted a penalty when Coman went down under the attentions of Thilo Kehrer, but the referee was not interested and VAR agreed, with the match goalless at half-time.
Neuer was in fine form to prevent PSG from going ahead in the first half.
The breakthrough came just before the hour as Joshua Kimmich lifted a ball into
the box and picked out Coman at the far post, with his header back across goal
beating Navas.
Needing a response, PSG sent on Marco Verratti and managed to stem the tide of Bayern attacks before Marquinhos brought another fine save from Neuer when he met Di Maria’s cross just in front of goal.
But the break was not to come and Bayern secured their first European title since 2013 – and their sixth in history.
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