Hakimi hails 'genius' Luis Enrique as PSG secure Champions League final spot

Achraf Hakimi saluted "genius" Luis Enrique after Paris Saint-Germain booked their place in the Champions League final with a 3-1 aggregate victory over Arsenal.

The treble-chasing Ligue 1 champions will play Inter in the showpiece on May 31, as they finally look to get their hands on the trophy that has notoriously eluded them over the years, following a 2-1 win over the Gunners on the night on Wednesday.

PSG, who were 1-0 to the good from last week's first leg, extended their advantage in the tie thanks to Fabian Ruiz's superb 27th-minute strike at Parc des Princes.

Despite David Raya saving Vitinha's penalty and allowing 3.14 expected goals – the highest xGA they have conceded in a game in this season's Champions League – the hosts ultimately put the tie beyond Arsenal in the 72nd minute, when Hakimi brilliantly curled home.

Bukayo Saka made matters interesting but then squandered a great chance to set up a grandstand finale.

Luis Enrique, who turns 55 on Thursday, will be aiming to lift the trophy for the second time, 10 years after guiding Barcelona to glory in Berlin. That is despite losing the likes of Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe in recent seasons.

"It's incredible. When you see the atmosphere, we worked hard for this moment," Hakimi told Canal+.

"Many didn't believe in us, but we worked hard. We're a family, we deserve this moment. All the fans, the Parisians, our families, everyone who supported us.

"We're very proud of this match. Luis Enrique did an incredible job. Since he arrived at PSG, it's taken him a year to build a great team. There's a lot of work behind all that. He's a genius."

PSG are only the third side to reach a Champions League final after losing five games en route, along with Bayer Leverkusen in 2001-02 and Juventus in 2002-03.

It will be their fourth major European final, having also featured in the showpiece match of the 1995-96 and 1996-97 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, as well as the 2019-20 Champions League final, which was played behind closed doors.

Marquinhos, who was part of the side beaten by Bayern Munich in Lisbon five years ago, is keeping his feet on the ground, as he and his team-mates aim to go one better this time around.

"It's a great feeling. We did a great job," he told Canal+. "The road was hard, slow, we had some very difficult matches.

"We have to make the most of it and prepare for the match in the best possible way. The road to the final is clear, but it's not over yet."