LISBON – Bayern Munich were crowned European football champions for the sixth time by beating Paris St Germain (PSG) 1-0 thanks to a second-half header from former PSG youth academy graduate Kingsley Coman in an absorbing Champions League final on Sunday.
France international Coman appeared at the back post to score the decisive goal in the 59th minute as Bayern became the first team to lift the Champions League with a 100 per cent record.
The victory, deserved after a dogged display once Bayern got in front, secured a second treble for the Germans, including the Bundesliga and German Cup, and completed a remarkable first season for coach Hansi Flick.
He took over a struggling side in November, after a 5-1 hammering by Eintracht Frankfurt led to the sacking of Niko Kovac, with the club fourth in the Bundesliga.
“It feels fantastic, we have a long journey behind us,” said Bayern midfielder Thomas Mueller.
“We came from very low, at least that is what it felt like, in the autumn and put in a sensational run. We had a bit of luck tonight and had (Manuel) Neuer in goal,” he added.
PSG, who were playing in their first Champions League final, paid the price for wastefulness in the first half as Neymar and Kylian Mbappe both failed to beat Neuer from close range.
The club has benefitted from huge investment by Qatari Sports Investments but, while dominant at in the French league, they fell short at the final hurdle.
“We’re sad but we don’t forget all the positive things we did this season,” said PSG’s Qatari president Nasser al Khelaifi. (Reuters)
