Weekend Review: PSG crowned Champions League winners in one-sided affair

PSG (11/10 to win in 90 minutes) lifted the UEFA Champions League for the first time after convincingly beating Inter Milan 5-0 in the final on Saturday night.

In what was billed as a tight affair prior to kick off, PSG found themselves 2-0 up after 20 minutes thanks to goals from Achraf Hakimi and Désiré Doué.

Doué put the game to bed 10 minutes after half time with his second of the game and PSG’s third, with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Senny Mayulu confirming the win in Munich.

The match capped off a European campaign that produced some surprising results, including Arsenal’s 5-1 win over two legs against Real Madrid, and the high-scoring semi-final second leg, which saw Inter Milan beat Barcelona 4-3 in extra time.

PSG became the first French club to be crowned Champions League winners since Marseille in 1993 and the 24^th different side to win the competition.

Commenting on the final, Betfred’s Alan Firkins said: “PSG illuminated the football season quite spectacularly, especially in its initial months, but they surpassed even themselves on Saturday night. Poor Inter, so close to Champions League final glory against Manchester City two years ago, were simply blown away by a side several heady levels above.

“For coach Luis Enrique, it was a second, highly emotional win in Europe’s premier club competition, expanded this term to embrace 36 teams and a new league-based format. He lifted the giant trophy in 2015 with Barca, and again Italian opposition (Juve) were on the receiving end.

“His late daughter Xana was a very visible element of that previous success and her cherished memory was very much front and centre for this 5-0 demolition at Munich’s Allianz Arena.”

Firkins added: “The result was a popular one with punters, with PSG around a 6/5 chance to win in 90 minutes, and over 2.5 match goals was also backed off the boards.”

The one-sided encounter was a positive for bet365, with Steve Freeth highlighting it was a profitable night thanks to customers taking both teams to score or Inter Milan at 13/10 to lift the trophy.

Freeth also noted that 103 punters backed PSG to win 5-0 at 66/1.

He said: “Five goals in such a high-profile match are not normally to our liking. However, the fact that both teams did not score was our saviour, with the added extra of laying more of 13/10 Inter Milan than 8/13 PSG making it a profitable night in Munich.

“PSG were once again quick out of the blocks […] however, it became apparent that one team looked extremely tired after some recent disappointments, while the other looked refreshed and capable of scoring at will.

“Many punters were also grateful for our ‘Sub On Play On’ offer when a well-backed Federico Dimarco was hooked on 52 minutes, with his replacement Nicola Zalewski carded just minutes later.”

Looking ahead to next season’s competition, Betfred has the French and European champions priced at 13/2 to retain their title.

However, England’s title holders, Liverpool, are narrow favourites at 6/1 to add to their impressive collection of six European cups.

Firkins added: “It was the French side’s first win in the competition, and they are a 13/2 chance with Betfred to go back-to-back.”

“Of England’s six representatives for next season’s renewal, Liverpool are actually tournament favourites with us at 6/1 but after what we saw at the weekend, I’d be loath to bet against a Parisian repeat in 2026.”

For bet365, PSG’s odds of repeating their success have been cut from 9/1 to 7/1, while Ousmane Dembele, who did not find the back of the net in Munich, is now 1/3 to claim the coveted Ballon d’Or, having been treble figures a few months ago.

Freeth noted: “After some false dawns, this young and exciting side could also be the team to beat in 2025-26.

“This potential hasn’t gone unnoticed by our customers who have supported PSG from 9/1 into 7/1 to win it again next season, with Ousmane Dembele now at 1/3 to win the Ballon d’Or having been 150/1 in February.”

This weekend sees the Betfred Derby Festival at Epsom, kicking off with the Oaks on Friday.

Taking a look at Saturday’s Derby, Delacroix is currently the favourite at 5/2 in places, having won at Leopardstown in May and in March.

Behind Delacroix, Ruling Court and Pride Of Arras are priced at around 4/1, followed by Lion In Winter at 6/1.  

Firkins said: “The picture for the big one has been ever evolving, with Aidan O’Brien’s Dubawi colt Delacroix now heading the market at 5/2.

“Aidan’s son of 2009 Derby and Guineas superstar Sea The Stars, The Lion In Winter, finds himself now an easy-to-back 6/1 chance after attracting plenty of early support despite an ordinary showing in York’s Dante Stakes trial a couple of weeks ago.

“Betfred 2000 Guineas winner Ruling Court is 4/1 for Godolphin and Charlie Appleby, the same price as the Dante winner Pride Of Arras, for trainer Ralph Beckett and jockey Rossa Ryan.

“The son of French Derby winner New Bay, only seen twice so far on the racecourse and surely a potential massive improver, bids to emulate fellow Knavesmire scorers like Motivator, Golden Horn and Authorized in going on to take Epsom glory.

“If Pride Of Arras can overcome his obvious lack of experience around this most demanding of racecourses, that turn of foot so evident in Yorkshire could prove to be the deciding factor in Surrey. It should be a sensational two days – it’s an honour to be involved, and we can’t wait.”