Vinicius goal gives Real Madrid 14th Champions League win at Liverpool's expense

Vinicius tapped in at the far post in the 59th minute to secure Real's fourth European crown in the last seven years.

Published : May 29, 2022 03:13 IST

Marcelo of Real Madrid lifts the UEFA Champions League Trophy after their sides victory in the UEFA Champions League final match between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid at Stade de France on May 28, 2022 in Paris, France.
Marcelo of Real Madrid lifts the UEFA Champions League Trophy after their sides victory in the UEFA Champions League final match between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid at Stade de France on May 28, 2022 in Paris, France.
lightbox-info

Marcelo of Real Madrid lifts the UEFA Champions League Trophy after their sides victory in the UEFA Champions League final match between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid at Stade de France on May 28, 2022 in Paris, France.

Real Madrid secured a record-extending 14th European Cup when it beat Liverpool 1-0 in a Champions League final delayed for more than half an hour after police tried to stop people trying to force their way into the Stade de France on Saturday.

Vinicius Junior scored just before the hour with Real's first attempt on goal and their goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois made several fine saves to deny Liverpool, who end the season with two domestic cups having also failed to win the Premier League.

In a battle of European heavyweights, Jurgen Klopp's side had more opportunities but lacked sharpness when it mattered as Carlo Ancelotti became the first coach to enjoy double Champions League success with two clubs having triumphed with AC Milan.

It was LaLiga titleholder Real's fourth Champions League crown in seven years as it improved its impressive record in the competition with its eighth victory in as many finals.

The game started after a 36-minute delay following incidents outside the stadium when fans were tear-gassed by riot police as people without tickets tried to force their way in.

stade-de-francejpg
A fan climbs on the fence in front of the Stade de France before the Champions League final match between Liverpool and Real Madrid.
 

Liverpool had won the previous European Cup final both teams had played in Paris, winning 1-0 at the Parc des Princes in 1981, which was Real's last defeat in a final.

It was meant to be a different outcome this time with Liverpool slight favourites but it beat the Merseyside club for the second time in Paris after their 3-1 victory in 2018.

Two United fans look back at Liverpool's UCL final loss

 

Liverpool Press

Liverpool pushed high looking to quickly feed their full-backs and the pressure quickly became immense in the Real half.

Mo Salah was picked out by Trent Alexander-Arnold in the box but Courtois stretched to deny the Egyptian.

After another effort by Liverpool's Thiago Alcantara, Sadio Mane came much closer when he ghosted past Eder Militao and Casemiro in the box before his fierce attempt was tipped onto the post by the excellent Courtois in the 21st minute.

Real was still waiting for its first shot after half an hour as Virgil van Dijk marshalled the Reds defence.

Liverpool, however, was not incisive enough in attack and Salah had another attempt with a header but it went straight at Courtois 10 minutes before the break.

Real's only chance of the first half gave Liverpool a huge scare but Karim Benzema's effort was ruled out after the Video Assistant Referee ruled that he was offside, being played in by Federico Valverde despite Fabinho's deflection.

RELATED |

Liverpool was back at it early in the second half but Real soaked up the pressure until they struck in the 59th minute.

It started when Luka Modric turned away from Andrew Robertson to create space and ended with Valverde's pinpoint driven pass across to the far post being turned in by Vinicius.

Courtois then dived to superbly tip Salah's curled attempt away to keep Real ahead.

READ: Courtois creates Champions League record in final win

The Belgian keeper was impeccable again to deny Salah 10 minutes from time before his delighted teammates jumped into his arms to show their gratitude at the final whistle.

 

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment