Real Madrid secured a record-extending 14th European Cup with their 1-0 win over Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League final at the Stade de France on Saturday evening.
Coming into this game Liverpool saw off Inter Milan, Benfica and Villarreal while Carlo Ancelotti’s side produced a plethora of magnificent comebacks to beat Paris-Saint Germain, Chelsea and then the mighty Manchester City.
The early stages of the game were totally controlled by the Reds, who showed threat but could not create any clear cut chances, while Los Blancos controlled the space and absorbed the pressure.Â
Mo Salah had a shot at goal in the 15th minute that was saved by Thibaut Courtois after a fine assist by Trent Alexander Arnold. In quick succession, Salah had another straight shot that was handled well by Courtois in the 18 yard box.Â
Sadio Mane soon after wiggled through the defence and had a shot that was tipped against the post by Courtois.
Jordan Henderson was the latest candidate to take a volleyed shot outside the box in the 40th minute, that just missed the Left upright.Â
Karim Benzema somehow had the ball in the back of the net via a scramble sequence in the 43rd minute but it was ruled by VAR for offside after a lengthy check.Â
The second segment continued as if it was half one with both teams trying to land that early punch. And the blow landed in the 58th minute by Vinius Junior who converted a drilled cross by Ernesto Valverde, somewhat against the run of play. Salah replied with a nice worked curling shot that was parried away by Courtois again.Â
The Real goalkeeper again made a desperate save to deny Mo Salah from close range in the 68th minute, at the right far post. The Reds continued to push forward creating and a deflected shot was also parried by Courtois in the 80th minute. Right after, another chance is ballooned away over the bar by Naiby Keita.Â
However, in the end it wasn’t to be for Klopp’s men as Courtois produced a display that will go down in Champions League history books. Los Blancos, meanwhile, lifted their 14th European Cup.Â