First Russian with Two Finals: Safonov Stops Bayern and Makes History
PSG goalkeeper Matvey Safonov became the first Russian footballer to reach the Champions League final for the second time. In the semi-final against Bayern Munich, he made five saves and helped his team hold on to the aggregate winning score (6-5).
Main Event
Matvey Safonov has etched his name into the history of Russian and European football. The 27-year-old Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper became the first Russian footballer to reach the UEFA Champions League final for the second time in his career. Last season, he already lifted the trophy after Parisians' resounding 5-0 victory over Inter Milan, and now he has a chance to defend the title and cement his status as the most successful Russian player in the history of Europe's premier club competition.
The decisive step toward this historic achievement was taken in the semi-final clash against Bayern Munich. The two-legged tie was extremely high-scoring: the first match at the Parc des Princes on April 28 ended in a 5-4 win for PSG, while the return leg on May 6 in Munich ended in a hard-fought 1-1 draw. On aggregate, Paris prevailed 6-5 and advanced to the final, which will be held on May 30 at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest.
Safonov played all 90 minutes of the return match at the Allianz Arena and made five key saves that allowed Paris to hold on to the necessary result. The visitors took the lead in the third minute when Ousmane Dembélé finished off a pass from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, catching Bayern's defense off guard. Munich pressed throughout the match, but the defense led by the Russian goalkeeper held firm, and only in stoppage time did Harry Kane manage to equalize, which was not enough to reach the final.
Details and Statistics
The return semi-final in Munich tested not only Safonov's skill but also his physical endurance. According to RMC Sport, the Russian goalkeeper took the field despite pain in his calf muscle that had been bothering him since late April — since the first match against Bayern. Journalist Arthur Perrot reported that Safonov barely trained before the return match: "Matvey Safonov's health condition requires attention. The Russian goalkeeper hardly trained before the match in Munich due to persistent pain in his calf muscle."
Because of this injury, the goalkeeper missed the Ligue 1 matchday 32 game against Lorient (2-2), where Renato Marin guarded Paris's goal. At the end of the first semi-final, Safonov suffered cramps, and the coaching staff gave him rest before the decisive match. The fact that the goalkeeper not only took the field in Munich but also performed at a level that contained Bayern's attacking power speaks to his exceptional mental resilience.
In total, in the current 2025/2026 season, Safonov has played 24 matches for PSG in all competitions, conceding 25 goals and keeping 11 clean sheets. In the semi-final tie against Bayern, his goal was breached by players like Harry Kane and Michael Olise, but it was the Russian goalkeeper's actions in crucial moments that prevented Munich from turning the tie around.
The semi-final statistics clearly show why PSG reached the final: the team converted their chances with incredible efficiency. Over two matches, Paris took 27 shots with an expected goals (xG) of 2.9, but scored six goals — a conversion rate of 206.9%. For comparison, Bayern had 28 shots and 4.5 xG, scoring five goals (conversion rate 111.1%). Dembélé and Kvaratskhelia together took 13 shots with a combined xG of 2.3 and scored five goals — a figure close to anomalous.
Context and Significance
Safonov is in his second season at PSG, and during this time he has transformed from a backup for the injured Gianluigi Donnarumma into one of the key players in Luis Enrique's squad. Last season, his contribution to the Champions League victory was significant, but many attributed the success primarily to the strength of the attacking line. Now the situation is different: the Russian goalkeeper has become the factor that allows PSG to win even in matches where the defense falters.
The historical context of Safonov's achievement cannot be overstated. No Russian footballer had ever reached the Champions League final twice. Dmitri Alenichev and Andrey Arshavin played in finals but lost them. Safonov not only won the trophy in 2025 but also returned to the decisive match a year later — an unprecedented case for Russian football.
Former Benfica and Russia national team player Alexander Mostovoy, commenting on the possibility of Safonov missing the final due to injury, showed philosophical calm: "That's a goalkeeper's fate. If Safonov doesn't play, someone else will replace him — nothing tragic will happen." However, it is obvious that for the goalkeeper himself and for Russian fans, his participation in the final is of immense importance.
Harry Kane, whose Bayern lost the final spot to PSG, called Paris slight favorites for the upcoming final against Arsenal: "It's a very even matchup. They are two completely different teams in terms of playing style, but two very strong teams. PSG, as the reigning champion, probably has the right to be a slight favorite, but overall it will be a battle between two top clubs."
What's Next / Next Match Preview
The 2025/2026 UEFA Champions League final between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal will take place on May 30 at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest. The match will kick off at 6:00 PM CET — a UEFA innovation aimed at improving transport logistics for fans and the overall matchday experience.
Before the final, both teams have to finish their domestic leagues. PSG will play against Brest on May 10 in Ligue 1, but due to injuries sustained in the semi-final battles, the team has lost several key players. Besides Safonov, whose condition is questionable, Willian Pacho, Nuno Mendes, and Warren Zaïre-Emery have also picked up injuries — all of them will miss the upcoming game. Defender Achraf Hakimi, who did not play in the return match against Bayern, is expected to recover for the final.
Bookmakers see PSG as favorites for the decisive match with odds ranging from 1.65 to 2.15, while Arsenal is offered at odds from 2.25 to 3.20. However, the Opta supercomputer, which simulated the final 10,000 times, favors the London side with a 55.77% probability of victory.
Arsenal, under Mikel Arteta, have had an impressive season, remaining unbeaten in all 14 matches of the tournament, and reached their first final since 2006 by overcoming Atlético Madrid with an aggregate score of 2-1. For the Gunners, this match is a historic chance to lift the main European trophy for the first time. For Safonov and PSG, it is an opportunity to join an elite club: since the European Cup was rebranded as the Champions League, only Real Madrid has managed to defend the title (three times in a row from 2016 to 2018).
Safonov himself, commenting on the upcoming final and his journey to it, was succinct: "I'm glad to influence the game directly. And just to be where I am now." On May 30, Budapest will witness a historic event — and for the Russian goalkeeper, it will be the biggest match of his career.
— Editorial Team
