On August 23, 2020, Paris Holy person Germain (PSG) left a mark on the world by winning the UEFA Champions Association without precedent in club history. This victory was a long-awaited moment for the Parisian club, which had been trying to lift the prestigious trophy for decades.
The last, held at the Estádio da Luz in Lisbon, Portugal, was a conflict between PSG and a German force to be reckoned with Bayern Munich. The game was tightly contested, with both teams creating chances and playing at a high level. However, it was PSG who struck first, with star forward Kylian Mbappé forcing a save from Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, and Neymar Jr. following up to slot the ball into the net in the 18th minute.
Bayern Munich responded with wave after wave of attack, but PSG’s defence, led by captain Thiago Silva, held strong. In the last part, PSG got a few opportunities to expand their lead, yet couldn’t underwrite. Bayern Munich kept pressing, but PSG’s goalkeeper Keylor Navas made several crucial saves to keep the Parisians ahead.
In the end, PSG held on to win 1-0, sparking wild celebrations both in Lisbon and back in Paris. The victory was a culmination of years of investment by the club’s wealthy Qatari owners, who had been building a team capable of winning Europe’s top club competition.
PSG’s victory was especially sweet for their mentor, Thomas Tuchel, who had recently driven Borussia Dortmund to the Heroes Association last in 2013, just to lose to Bayern Munich. Tuchel’s tactical acumen was on full display in the final, as he made several key substitutions and adjustments to keep Bayern Munich at bay.
For PSG’s players, the triumph was the climax of long stretches of difficult work and commitment. A significant number of them had gotten the club together with the express objective of winning the Heroes Association and had come distressingly close in earlier years, just to miss the mark.
The victory also cemented the legacy of PSG’s star players, Neymar Jr. and Kylian Mbappé, who had been brought to the club at great expense to help deliver European success. Both players had exceptional performances in the final, with Neymar Jr. winning the man of the match award for his goal and overall impact on the game.
In general, PSG’s Heroes Association win was a memorable second for the club and for French football overall. It flagged another time of predominance for PSG, who will currently hope to expand on their prosperity and lay down a good foundation for themselves as a European force to be reckoned with long into the future.
