PSG hold off Arsenal to set up clash with Inter Milan in UEFA Champions League final

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) weathered one attack after another, and showed remarkable adaptability at home on Wednesday to hold off and defeat an inspired Arsenal 2-1 to reach the UEFA Champions League final, earning another shot at a title the team desperately craves.

Deprived of the ball possession they usually enjoy, PSG looked shaky early in the second leg of the semifinal showdown. But the hosts found answers by relying on counterattacks, and goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, to advance 3-1 on aggregate.

PSG reached the final of Europe's top club tournament for just the second time ever – they were runners-up five years ago – and did so in the first season following superstar striker Kylian Mbappe's departure to Real Madrid.

The huge hole left by Mbappe was not filled by yet another superstar, a major change on a side where, for more than a decade, owners had spent lavishly to attract big names such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Lionel Messi, and Neymar.

The club's new approach allowed coach Luis Enrique to build a rejuvenated, rock-solid squad playing some of the best football in Europe.

"I said from the first day that our goal was to work hard enough to be in a position to make history – and that remains our goal, to be the first to win the long-awaited trophy," Enrique said. "This is a project that has evolved since last year, and I feel very comfortable here as a coach because I have the freedom and support from the president to build what we want, adapting to the market to put together a team that improves every day."

On the other side, Arsenal bowed out with disappointment after failing to overturn a 1-0 overall deficit from last week's first leg in London.

"It gives me so much pride, but at the same time I'm so upset, so annoyed that we didn't manage to do it," Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said. "Today I see how much the players want it, because they were in tears [at the end]."

PSG will try again for their first Champions League title when they face Inter Milan on May 31 in Munich.

"We believe in our coach and we believe in our players – in our talented, young, hungry players," PSG president Nasser al-Khelaifi told CBS Sports. "They fight for the team, they die for the jersey, that's the most important, for the city, for the club. There's still one match to go."

The French home side broke the deadlock in the 27th minute from a set piece, after Arsenal's defense cleared a free kick toward the edge of the area. The ball bounced back into the path of Fabian Ruiz, who smashed a stunning half-volley into the back of the net.

Achraf Hakimi curled in a precise finish in the 72nd minute to make it 2-0 on the night, before Bukayo Saka pulled one back for the Gunners.

Arsenal had struggled in the early minutes last week in London – unable to cope with PSG's intensity at midfield – and lost 1-0.

This time, boosted by the return of midfielder Thomas Partey, the Gunners mustered 61 attacks, compared to 26 for the Parisians.

The visiting side's early dominance was not rewarded though, as Declan Rice rose high but missed his header, and Gabriel Martinelli saw his effort saved by Donnarumma.

Arsenal overwhelmed PSG on the flanks, and went close again in the eighth minute when Martin Odegaard unleashed a low drive from outside the area, forcing Donnarumma into another fine save.

PSG had little choice but to wait for counterattack opportunities.

An opening finally came in the 17th minute. With a bit of space on the left, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia came inside on his right foot and curled one of his trademark pinpoint shots that rattled the post.

Arsenal had another excellent opportunity soon after the hour mark, when Saka curled a precise shot that seemed headed for the top corner, only for Donnarumma to stretch his lanky body and parry the ball away.

Vitinha then missed a penalty kick after a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) check ruled a handball on Myles Lewis-Skelly. It was not long though, before PSG doubled their lead as Hakimi swept the ball into the corner, assisted by substitute Ousmane Dembélé.

Arsenal kept attacking until the end and cut the deficit through Saka in the 76th minute.

But it wasn't enough, and PSG are headed to their second final as they look to go one step further than five years ago.