Historic moments in international football 2025: PSG breaks European curse, Portugal wins Nations League

In 2025, European football saw remarkable milestones, including PSG capturing their inaugural Champions League crown, Chelsea's triumph at the Club World Cup, Portugal securing the Nations League title, and notable feats by Barcelona and the England women's squad, with a host of records being broken.

The year 2025 entered European football history as a dramatic chapter where the giants solidified their status, underdogs caused upsets, and both individual and team records were shattered.

With over 1,200 matches across top competitions such as the Champions League, Europa League, Premier League, La Liga, and Serie A, this year recorded an average of 2.8 goals per game—0.2 higher than the previous year. Below are the standout moments, analyzed with detailed statistics and related records.

1. PSG wins Champions League for the first time

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) finally achieved their European dream by clinching the UEFA Champions League title for the first time in the 2024/25 season. In a thrilling final at Allianz Arena (Munich), PSG defeated Inter Milan 5-0, powered by a brace from Désiré Doué (man of the match, with 2 goals and 1 assist) and goals from Achraf Hakimi, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Senny Mayulu.

PSG had an impressive run with 10 wins, scoring 38 goals and conceding 10, ending the "rich but trophyless" curse and proving that the over €1.5 billion investment from Qatar Sports Investments paid off.

2. Chelsea crowned Club World Cup champions

Chelsea demonstrated their global strength by winning the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup —the first expanded edition featuring 32 teams, held in the USA from June 14 to July 13, 2025. The Blues played 7 matches, winning 6 (only losing to Flamengo in the group stage), scoring 18 goals and conceding 4, setting a new attacking efficiency record for champions under the new format.

In the final at MetLife Stadium on July 13, 2025, Chelsea defeated reigning Champions League winners PSG 3-0. Cole Palmer shone with a double (22nd and 30th minutes), and João Pedro sealed the victory with a third goal (43rd minute). Palmer was named tournament MVP with 5 goals, securing Chelsea’s second Club World Cup title (after 2021) and an approximate $100 million prize from FIFA.

3. England women's team successfully defends Euro title

The England women's team (Lionesses) made history by defending their UEFA Women's Euro 2025 title, becoming only the second team to win consecutive editions (after Germany). The tournament took place in Switzerland, with England beating Spain in a dramatic final.

The final at St. Jakob-Park (Basel) on July 27, 2025, ended 1-1 after 120 minutes (Mariona Caldentey scored first for Spain in the 25th minute, Alessia Russo equalized in the 57th). After a goalless extra time, England won 3-1 on penalties thanks to Hannah Hampton’s excellent saves and Chloe Kelly’s decisive penalty. The tournament set a record attendance of 657,291 spectators (averaging over 21,000 per match), surpassing Euro 2022. This victory further boosted the growth of women’s football in Europe.

4. Barcelona achieves domestic treble

Barcelona returned to the top of Spanish football with a domestic treble: winning La Liga, the Spanish Super Cup, and the Copa del Rey. In the 2024/25 La Liga season, Barça accumulated 88 points from 38 rounds, with 28 wins, 4 draws, 6 losses, scoring 102 goals and conceding 39, finishing as champions.

They defeated Real Madrid in both El Clasico matches with scores of 4-3 (home) and 4-0 (away), totaling 8-3 on aggregate. Robert Lewandowski led Barca’s scoring charts with 27 goals. This treble was the club’s first under coach Hansi Flick, especially significant after financial difficulties, with transfer revenue around €67 million and overall revenue nearing €1 billion.

5. Bologna wins Coppa Italia after 51 years

Bologna FC wrote one of Italian football’s most memorable stories by winning the 2024/25 Coppa Italia after a 51-year wait, their first major domestic trophy since 1974. In the final at the Olimpico stadium, Bologna defeated AC Milan 1-0 thanks to Dan Ndoye’s lone goal, concluding a brave campaign against traditional powerhouses.

This victory was not driven by financial muscle or star power but by disciplined play, resilience, and timely exploitation of opportunities. With limited resources compared to Serie A giants, Bologna demonstrated that Italian football still holds room for surprises, where a well-organized collective can reach the top through its own identity.

6. Newcastle United wins EFL Cup

Newcastle United made history by winning the 2024/25 Carabao Cup (EFL Cup), marking their first major trophy since the 1954/55 FA Cup and the club’s first-ever English League Cup. In the final on March 16, 2025, at Wembley Stadium, the Magpies beat Liverpool 2-1 thanks to Dan Burn’s header late in the first half and Alexander Isak’s early second-half goal, before Federico Chiesa scored a late consolation for Liverpool.

This triumph ended a 70-year domestic trophy drought for the North East club and proved their steady progress under coach Eddie Howe. Newcastle showed consistent form throughout the tournament, overcoming tough opponents before the final, and defeating Liverpool at Wembley became one of the most glorious moments in the modern history of the “Magpies,” reigniting pride among fans after decades without major honors.

7. Kylian Mbappe equals Ronaldo’s Real Madrid goal record

Kylian Mbappé matched the record of 59 goals scored in a calendar year for Real Madrid, a feat previously set by Cristiano Ronaldo in 2013. Ending 2025 with 59 goals in 58 matches, Mbappé maintained an impressive strike rate of nearly one goal per game, marking the most prolific club season of his career.

One memorable moment was his birthday goal against Sevilla, symbolizing the French star’s consistency and explosive performance in the Real Madrid jersey.

8. Ronaldo scores as Portugal wins UEFA Nations League

Portugal had a remarkable 2025 by winning the UEFA Nations League 2025, becoming the first team to claim the title twice. In a tense final, Portugal drew 2-2 with Spain after 120 minutes before winning on penalties, with Cristiano Ronaldo’s crucial equalizer in the second half turning the tide of the match.

This title not only confirmed Portugal’s resilience in big matches but also powerfully concluded a year where national team history was continuously rewritten.

9. Declan Rice’s magical free kicks

Arsenal’s Declan Rice scored two stunning free-kick goals against Real Madrid in the Champions League, contributing to the Gunners’ 3-0 victory over Los Blancos.

These free kicks were voted by UEFA among the top 10 goals of the year, taken from 35 meters with ball speeds reaching 120 km/h, setting a personal record for Rice with 8 career free-kick goals.

10. Manchester United’s comeback in Europa League

Manchester United produced one of the craziest matches in Europa League history by overturning a 2-4 deficit to beat Olympique Lyonnais 5-4, in a game where they seemed on the verge of elimination. The match featured a thrilling chase, with the Red Devils scoring repeatedly late on to completely reverse the situation in a spectacular Old Trafford atmosphere.

The 5-4 victory over Lyon became a symbol of Manchester United’s never-say-die spirit in European competition that season. Despite ongoing issues with tactics and squad, this match showed the Red Devils’ ability to create moments beyond logic, making the 2024/25 Europa League campaign one of their most emotional journeys in recent years.

These moments not only defined 2025 but also promise major changes for the future of European football. With a 15% increase in stadium attendance and total industry revenues exceeding €30 billion, this year truly was an epic chapter for the world’s most popular sport, where records were broken and inspiring stories continued to spread.