The miss hurt. The response? Pure class.
Gabriel Magalhães sent the last kick of the shootout over the bar on Saturday, with PSG winning 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw to claim a second successive Champions League title.
But rather than turning on their defender, Arsenal fans did something remarkable.
The Numbers
According to The Athletic, Arsenal shirts with Gabriel No. 6 on the back increased by 350% since May 30 — the date of the Champions League final.
In the hours after the match, Gabriel’s name was the most popular in Arsenal shirt sales over the weekend — and at one point it was double that of any other name in the squad.
A Season to Be Proud Of
On Sunday, an estimated one million fans packed north London’s streets for the team’s title parade, showing strong support despite the loss. Arsenal had won the Premier League title — and came agonisingly close to the Double.
Eberechi Eze, who joined from Crystal Palace last summer, also missed a penalty in the shootout.
Touching Moment on the Pitch
Right after the miss, Gabriel’s PSG rival but Brazilian international teammate Marquinhos went straight to embrace and comfort him — knowing all too well what it feels like to carry the weight of a shootout defeat.
Gabriel’s Response
Gabriel took to social media after the match, calling the defeat “painful” but saying he was “proud” of the team’s season — thanking fans for their backing and signing off with: “See you next season!”
The Brazilian, capped 17 times for his country, will now turn his attention to the 2026 World Cup, running from June 11 to July 19.
This is what football fandom looks like at its best. Gabriel didn’t just miss a penalty — he became a symbol of Arsenal’s journey, and the fans made sure he knew it.