Saka handball, penalty claims, controversial moments in 2026 UCL final

The UEFA Champions League final has come and gone, with Paris Saint-Germain claiming the trophy for a second successive season at the Puskas Arena in Hungary. The French champions did it the hard way against a defensively stubborn Arsenal side, restoring parity before winning the lottery of penalties to join Real Madrid in an exclusive […]

The UEFA Champions League final has come and gone, with Paris Saint-Germain claiming the trophy for a second successive season at the Puskas Arena in Hungary.

The French champions did it the hard way against a defensively stubborn Arsenal side, restoring parity before winning the lottery of penalties to join Real Madrid in an exclusive group of defending champions in the modern UCL era.

We take a look at the controversial moments of the night in the lead up to deciding the UCL winner.

Saka’s handball:

PSG had a corner kick in the 16th minute, and the delivery was towards Bukayo Saka who did not time his clearance appropriately. The Arsenal vice-captain saw the ball hit his thigh/chest before his miskick turned the ball unto his hand. Shouts for penalty was ignored y the referee Daniel Siebert, and a quick check by VAR aged with the umpire despite fans’ audible groans. According to IFAB rules of the game, ball deflection unto the hand directly from a player’s body is generally not awarded as a penalty, as long as the arm is deemed to be in a natural position.

Saka’s faux corner kick:

Arsenal won their first corner kick of the match deep into added time of a first half the team had defended resolutely, and the corner kick- likely the last kick of the half- was a chance to double the lead. Arsenal scored 19 league goals from corner kicks this season, and it is their most potent weapon.

However, it was shocking that Saka’s poor concentration and unnecessary time-wasting led to a missed opportunity, as referee Siebert blew for halftime as the 24 years old was about to take the kick. We will never know if Arsenal would have doubled their lead from his delivery.

Kvaratskhelia penalty:

PSG continued to probe Arsenal’s almost impenetrable, and cometh the man who would unlock it on 62 minutes. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia had contributed 10 goals and six assists in the UCL this season before the final, and he looked the most likely player to weave the magic if the Gunners would budge.

The 25-year-old Georgian indeed produced the moment of magic, using his direct run and dribbling ability to evade Cristhian Mosquera who took out the winger before the ball, and the referee awarded a penalty kick confirmed by VAR. Ousmane Dembele converted and PSG restored parity to set up a frantic finale.

Madueke penalty claim:

Noni Madueke came on as a second half substitute for Saka and was involved in the most controversial moment of the match in extra-time. The World Cup-bound England international drove into the box, was challenged by Nuno Mendes, and both were in a tangle before going down in the box. The 24-year- old screamed penalty but it received no check from the referee, and both sides had to settle for penalty shootout where PSG triumphed.