Historic Hakimi Strike Sees PSG Pioneer Goal for French Club in UCL Final
Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi etched his name into football folklore on Saturday, becoming the first player to score for a French club in a UEFA Champions League Final. In the 12th minute of PSG’s encounter with Inter Milan, the 26-year-old Moroccan international thundered home a finish that will be remembered for decades.
According to L’Équipe, Hakimi’s strike broke a 29-year drought since Daniel Dutuel netted for Bordeaux in the 1996 UEFA Cup Final. In that match, Dutuel’s free-kick had beaten Oliver Kahn, but no French club had ever found the back of the net in a Champions League or European Cup final—until Hakimi’s historic moment this season.
Having played a pivotal role all season, Hakimi’s contributions for PSG helped secure the French Ligue 1 title. Known for his explosive pace, defensive solidity, and incisive attacking runs from the right flank, Hakimi has been a standout performer throughout the campaign.
PSG’s head coach praised Hakimi after the game, noting: “Achraf has been exceptional all season. Scoring in a Champions League final for a French side is a monumental achievement and testament to his growth.” While PSG ultimately fell short against Inter Milan, Hakimi’s goal stands as a silver lining and a milestone for French football.
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The significance of this achievement extends beyond PSG. French clubs have historically struggled to make deep runs in Europe’s premier competition. Hakimi’s goal underscores the growing competitiveness of Ligue 1 squads on the continental stage and offers hope that a French team can aim for future finals without being mere finalists.
Inter Milan, boasting a rich European pedigree themselves, managed to claw back into the contest after conceding early. However, football pundits will long remember the moment Hakimi powered past defenders and found the bottom corner—shattering a barrier that supporters of French football have awaited for nearly three decades.
As European competitions continue to evolve—with Ligue 1 clubs investing heavily in talent—Hakimi’s milestone could mark the beginning of a new era. Moroccan stars are already making waves across top European leagues, and Hakimi’s breakthrough may inspire a generation of players from North Africa and France to dream bigger.
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