Paris: Wild celebrations erupted across Paris on Saturday as thousands of soccer fans descended on the boutique-lined Champs Elysees after Paris St Germain crushed Italian rivals Inter Milan 5-0 to win the Champions League for the first time.
Inside the club’s Parc des Princes stadium, transformed into a giant fan-zone for the night, 48,000 people let out a roar of ecstasy at the final whistle.
PSG players celebrate with the trophy after winning the Champions League final soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan in Munich. Credit: AP
“Total euphoria, crazy atmosphere,” said Gilles Gaillot, who had been watching the game in the Paris stadium. “It made up for the wait and the years of disappointment. Finally Paris and its supporters have been rewarded,” Gaillot added.
Supporters in the French capital set off fireworks and hung out of moving cars waving PSG scarves, delighting in their side’s first victory in European soccer’s top tournament.
Nearby, the Eiffel Tour was lit up in PSG’s blue and red colours. On the Rue de Rivoli, which runs past the Louvre museum, joyful crowds thronged the street.
Some 5400 police were deployed across the city to keep an eye on post-match celebrations.
Police on the Champs Elysees used tear gas and pepper spray to maintain order. A police spokesman said a car was set alight near the Parc des Princes and that several dozen had arrests had been made by the time the match ended.
“I couldn’t dream of a better night,” said 18-year-old Amine. “Let’s spare a thought for Mbappe.”
France striker Kylian Mbappe left PSG for Spanish club Real Madrid last year in pursuit of Champions League glory.
French President Emmanuel Macron, an ardent supporter of Olympique Marseille, tweeted: “A glorious day for PSG! Bravo, we are all proud. Paris, the capital of Europe this evening.”
Macron’s office said the president would receive the players at the Elysee Palace on Sunday. The team are also expected to parade down the Champs Elysees.
