CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL
Liverpool vs Real Madrid
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Karim Benzema - 51’
Gareth Bale - 64’ 83’
Sadio Mane - 55’
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FIRST HALF
Mane and Salah were frustrated with hardly a pause in between amid a mixed section of play before a free pass sent Cristiano Ronaldo driving goalwards down the correct flank, just for the five-time Ballon d'Or victor to waste over from a tight point.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, hitting neatly with the bands, penetrated directly at Keylor Navas as the odds kept on falling Liverpool's direction however then came the blow. Salah's arm tangled in a tussle with Sergio Ramos and the Egyptian wobbled off in tears. Dani Carvajal saw his own night finished rashly subsequent to being gotten by Andrew Robertson - Nacho on in his place - yet Real seized on the state of mind move as their adversaries grieved their driving goal scorers’ departure. Karius beat away Ronaldo's header, before Benzema was denied on the bounce back by an offside banner, and the French striker soon conveyed a sublime corner to corner ball that Nacho met yet could just volley into the side-netting.
SECOND HALF
A tumble from Salah's substitution, Adam Lallana, enabled Isco to swivel and split a volley that hit the woodwork. However, Real took the lead in unusual design six minutes after the restart with Liverpool goalkeeper Karius, unaware of Benzema lurking just behind him, carelessly tossed the ball to the striker who converted it into the bottom corner . Zinedine Zidane called for Bale with Liverpool floated and only two minutes go before his unequivocal minute. Marcelo slice inside to twist in and Bale, inconceivably athletic, moved his body to locate the best corner with left boot. It was an objective for the ages yet Mane, Liverpool's main risk, could have reestablished equality again in the 71st moment, just to pound against the post. Rather, Real extended their lead when Bale got a ball in space and focused, Karius having a easy delivery to punch away. Instead, Karius’ butterfingers proved to be of little hope against the powerful strike of the Welsh striker. The man whose Bernabeu future has more than once been addressed negatively once more, helped Real celebrate yet another European achievement, one that left both Zizou's XI and Karius in tears. Real being the favourites to have a consecutive European treble, lived up to their grabs, but only due to the errors made by Liverpool keeper Karius. Regardless of the mistake that costed Liverpool their only chance at a trophy this season, fans applauded their humbled goalkeeper as he weeped and apologised to the travelling fans, receiving a standing ovation at the bitter end of Klopp's fairytale on the pursuit of European dominance.
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MOTM: Gareth Bale
