Chaos in Paris as car hits fans after PSG victory over Arsenal

Paris police said there were 43 arrests in incidents around the city

One person is in critical condition and two others in hospital after being hit by a car in Paris amid street partying by PSG fans after the club reached the Champions League final.

A car ploughed into a group of fans close to the Champs Elysée, police said.

At least three supporters were injured, with one left fighting for their life.

Reports suggest the car was then set on fire. Youths were also seen on the street confronting riot police.

Paris police said there were 43 arrests in minor incidents around the city.

Roughly 2,000 Arsenal fans were able to get to the game with many more in the city to watch in bars and pubs.

The night was largely marked by jubilation at PSG’s 2-1 victory — 3-1 on aggregate — over Arsenal in its second-leg semifinal Wednesday night. It’s only the second time the team has made it to the final of Europe’s elite tournament.

Paris Saint-Germain fans celebrate after the Champions League semifinal, second leg soccer match between PSG and Arsenal on the Champs-Elysees avenue in Paris, Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Thomas Padilla) (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Mikel Arteta’s players were already one goal down in the semi-final, and, despite a strong start, they were two behind in the tie when Fabian Ruiz struck for PSG after 27 minutes.

Vitinha missed a penalty – after Myles Lewis-Skelly was adjudged to have handled the ball following a contentious VAR review – before Achraf Hakimi put the match out of sight in the 72nd minute.

Bukayo Saka pulled one back for Arsenal four minutes later, and then blazed over from underneath the PSG crossbar when he should have reduced the deficit to one.

Paris Saint-Germain fans celebrate victory with flares after the final whistle in the UEFA Champions League semi final, second leg match at the Parc des Princes in Paris, France. Picture date: Wednesday May 7, 2025. PA Photo. See PA story SOCCER Arsenal. Photo credit should read: Adam Davy/PA Wire.RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder. (Adam Davy/PA Wire)

But it is PSG, who have now beaten three Premier League sides in a row, with Arsenal following Liverpool and Aston Villa in succumbing to the French champions, that will play Inter Milan in the final on May 31 after a 3-1 aggregate success.

Arsenal’s sole appearance in a Champions League final came here in Paris in 2006 where they suffered a late defeat to Barcelona, and the French capital was the scene of yet more heartbreak for the north Londoners.

Unlike the first leg at the Emirates, Arsenal flew out of the blocks with Declan Rice’s header falling just wide of Gianluigi Donnarumma’s post inside three minutes.