The young forward might have been left to rue his missed chances, but ultimately, joy prevailed. Bradley Barcola entered the UEFA Champions League final in the 83rd minute, a thrilling encounter where Paris Saint-Germain triumphed over Arsenal in Budapest with a 1-1 draw, followed by a decisive 4-3 penalty shootout. Despite the ultimate victory, Barcola himself had two significant opportunities that could have secured the capital club’s win before the tension of the penalty kicks.

The 23-year-old striker first found himself thwarted by Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya in the 85th minute. Then, in the dying moments of second-half stoppage time (90th + 7), Barcola had another golden opportunity. Having broken through the Gunners’ defense, the former Lyon player unleashed a powerful shot from a tight angle, but it sailed wide of the target following a somewhat erratic dribble.

Fortunately for PSG, these misses proved inconsequential as the team ultimately secured the prestigious Champions League trophy for the second consecutive year. Relishing the victory and able to laugh at his own near-misses, Barcola took to his Instagram account later that evening to share a lighthearted reaction.

“ma3lich, we won”

Accompanying a photograph of himself alongside teammate Ousmane Dembélé, both holding the gleaming trophy, the French international penned a candid caption: “I should have killed the match but ma3lich (which means “it’s okay” in Arabic) we won.”

It is worth noting that the winger did not step up to the penalty spot during the shootout, a decision that ultimately proved unnecessary. Paris Saint-Germain secured their victory with only one missed penalty, clinching another title in Europe’s most prestigious club competition.