As Paris Saint-Germain lifted their first-ever UEFA Champions League trophy with a stunning 5–0 victory over Inter Milan at Munich’s Allianz Arena, the celebration wasn’t limited to Europe.

In Nigeria, Heineken delivered a five-star football experience that brought the magic of the final to life for thousands of fans across the nation.

From the Lagos Continental Hotel in Victoria Island to lively viewing parties in Abuja, Port Harcourt, Benin City, and beyond, Heineken stayed true to its campaign promise: “One Night, One Game, One Epic Experience.”

At the Lagos flagship venue, the atmosphere was electric. Fans arrived early, welcomed by cold Heineken beer, delicious meals, interactive games, and the chance to win exciting prizes. 

The energy hit a new level once Achraf Hakimi scored PSG’s opening goal. The venue erupted into thunderous cheers that echoed Munich’s own.

“This is the best way to watch football,” said one of the ecstatic fans enjoying his Heineken beer. 

“We might be in Lagos, but tonight, it feels like we’re in the front row in Germany.”

PSG was writing football history in Munich. In a breathtaking display of dominance, the French champions tore apart Inter Milan with a performance that will be etched into Champions League folklore.

Teenage prodigy Désiré Doué was the undoubted star of the night. He not only provided the assist for the opening goal but went on to score twice himself, becoming the youngest player ever to both score and assist in a Champions League final.

PSG added three more goals in the second half through Doué again, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Senny Mayulu, completing a statement 5–0 win and crowning a treble-winning season under manager Luis Enrique.

As each goal hit the back of the net, roars erupted across Heineken viewing centres nationwide—from Transcorp Hilton in Abuja to Piano Lounge in Port Harcourt, 130 Degrees in Benin City, and Ghosts & Spirit Lounge in Abule Egba.

More than 500 people were arrested by police during the Champions League final celebrations in France, and two people were reported dead and 192 injured, the interior ministry said as further festivities were planned on Sunday.

Wild celebrations erupted across the French capital and beyond on Saturday night after Paris St Germain crushed Italian opponents Inter Milan to win the Champions League for the first time.

The interior ministry’s provisional assessment on Sunday morning was that 559 people had been arrested, including 491 in Paris, which led to 320 people being placed in police custody, 254 of them in Paris.

There was one fatal accident when a young man in his twenties died in a collision with a vehicle, police chief Laurent Nunez told reporters, while in the southwestern city of Dax, a 17-year-old died from stab wounds, French media reported.

“A judicial investigation will determine whether or not it (the fatality in Paris) can be linked to the celebrations. At this stage, it appears to be connected to the festivities,” Nunez said.

On the boutique-lined Champs Elysees avenue, bus shelters were smashed and projectiles hurled at riot police, who fired tear gas and water cannon to push back surging crowds as thousands of supporters who descended on the area.The interior ministry on Sunday reported hundreds of fires, including more than 200 vehicles burned. Some 22 members of the security forces and seven firefighters were harmed.

Nunez warned that more skirmishes could occur on Sunday as PSG will parade on the Champs Elysees before celebrating the title with their fans at the Parc des Princes stadium.

“We’re at halftime, so to speak, as this afternoon we have the parade taking place on the Champs Elysees,” Nunez said.

“Only those attending the parade will be allowed on site. A maxi

“This evening, there will be a celebration at the Parc des Princes as well. We also expect gatherings around the Place de la Porte de Saint Cloud, and we will respond in the same measured but firm way should there be any attempts to block the ring road, attack law enforcement, or cause further damage.”

Paris had deployed 5,400 officers in anticipation of celebrations following a PSG win, Nunez had said on Friday.

-Reuters

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Wild celebrations erupted across the French capital on Saturday after Paris St Germain crushed Italian opponents Inter Milan to win the Champions League for the first time, although skirmishes with police later threatened to spoil the party.

On the Champs Elysees, bus shelters were smashed up and projectiles hurled at riot police, who fired tear gas and water canons to push back surging crowds as thousands of supporters descended on the boutique-lined boulevard.

There were also clashes with police on the Paris ring road and at least two cars were torched near PSG’s Parc des Princes stadium.

Inside the stadium, transformed into a giant fan zone for the night, 48,000 people let out a roar of ecstasy at the final whistle in Munich.

“Total euphoria, crazy atmosphere,” said Gilles Gailliot 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,” Gailliot added.

Parisians set off fireworks and hung out of moving cars waving PSG scarves, delighting in their side’s first victory in European soccer’s top competition.

Nearby, the Eiffel Tower lit up in PSG’s blue and red colours.

“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.

ARRESTS

Some 5,400 police were deployed across Paris in anticipation of raucous celebrations.

Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau urged a zero-tolerance approach to maintaining order amid the celebrations.

“True PSG supporters are enjoying their team’s magnificent match. Meanwhile, barbarians have taken to the streets of Paris to commit crimes and provoke the police,” the minister tweeted.

Police had made more than 130 arrests by shortly after midnight.

PSG playmaker Ousmane Dembele urged supporters to keep the party festive.

“Let’s celebrate this but not tear everything up in Paris,” Dembele told Canal+.

French President Emmanuel Macron, an ardent supporter of Olympique de 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.

PSG lost the final to Bayern Munich in 2020 and had teetered on the brink of elimination in the league phase this season before claiming the trophy their deep-pocketed Qatari owners had craved.

On the streets, fans lauded the exploits of Desire Doue, who scored twice, and manager Luis Enrique.

“What (Doue) did tonight is crazy but it is all thanks to Luis Enrique. The guy came and he changed everything,” supporter Francis Delert said.

-Reuters

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