Paris Saint-Germain captain Marquinhos has been lauded for rushing to comfort Arsenal defender Gabriel following his crucial penalty miss in the Champions League final shootout. The Gunners suffered a heartbreaking defeat after the two sides couldn’t be separated over 120 minutes, with PSG triumphing 4-3 on spot-kicks.
The match ended 1-1 after 90 minutes, with Kai Havertz scoring in the opening exchanges before Ousmane Dembele levelled for PSG from twelve yards just past the hour mark.
The showpiece ultimately went to a penalty shootout, with PSG winning 4-3 after Gabriel and Eberechi Eze both failed to convert their attempts.
Gabriel’s miss proved the decisive blow in the shootout, and the Arsenal defender was swiftly surrounded by his teammates offering their support. Marquinhos, his Brazilian international teammate, also made his way over to offer words of comfort to the Gunners star.
TNT Sports commentator Ally McCoist was quick to heap praise on the Brazilian for his gesture of solidarity towards Gabriel.
“I’m gutted for him [Gabriel], absolutely gutted for him,” McCoist said while on commentary for TNT Sports.
“I mention something that we saw there that was absolutely fantastic, as soon as he missed it, do you know who the first person was up to him? Marquinhos, his Brazilian centre-back pal and gave him the biggest cuddle you’ve ever seen.
“It’ll mean nothing to him at this moment in time, but what a touch it was.”
Arsenal icon Martin Keown spoke out following the penalty shootout defeat, expressing his firm belief that the Gunners have what it takes to recover and go on to taste success.
View 2 ImagesMarquinhos of Paris Saint-Germain (L) comforts Gabriel of Arsenal (R)(Image: Getty Images)
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“Arsenal will be back bigger, better and stronger,” Keown said on TNT Sports. “They’ll be in the transfer market, and this is just the start for Arteta, with the confidence of winning a Premier League.
“They were just one penalty kick away from becoming European champions, so I think that’s great place to build from.
“This will have really whetted the appetite of Josh Kroenke, watching him give out the medals.
“Thinking of all the fans out in Africa, we know this is a huge football club and they’ve gone toe-to-toe with the best in the world.
“Arsenal will build upon this, maybe the attractive football will come back, the focus will always be on trying to win.”
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