Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice has publicly shared his thoughts on the painful penalty misses by Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Magalhaes during the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain, describing the experience as harsh but emphasizing unwavering support for his teammates.
The high-stakes match concluded with a 1-1 draw after extra time, following early goals from Kai Havertz and Ousmane Dembele. The title was eventually decided by a penalty shootout, where Eze and Gabriel failed to convert their attempts, allowing PSG to successfully defend their crown.
In his reflection, Rice acknowledged the difficulty of the moment, stating, “Watching a penalty miss in a Champions League final is genuinely tough. However, we remain fully behind them. That’s football—it happens.” He further highlighted the broader perspective, noting that many players have faced similar setbacks in finals. “They certainly won’t be the final players to endure such misfortune in a championship decider.”
Rice also underscored the crucial contributions both players made throughout the season, which enabled Arsenal to clinch the Premier League title. “Without their efforts earlier in the campaign, lifting the league trophy wouldn’t have been possible. Football can be heartbreaking, but we choose to focus on the positives.”