Real Madrid won their 14th Champions League title after beating Liverpool 1-0 in Paris. Vinicius Jr. (59th) scored the game-winning goal. For David Alaba it is the third triumph in the premier class.
Exactly 1463 days had passed since Liverpool lost the 2018 Champions League final 3-1 to Real Madrid. Revenge is sweet was the motto of the English at the new edition in Paris, which could only be kicked off 36 minutes late. And the team coached by Jürgen Klopp went full throttle. Mohamed Salah failed with a shot from close range (18th) as well as Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois with a header (34th). The Belgian excelled even more in the 21st minute, however, when he deflected a shot from Sadio Mane, who had earlier dizzyed the Whites’ defence, to the post.
But the big excitement happened on the other side – and that with the first real chance of the Spanish champions. Shortly before the break, Karim Benzema was sent on the journey. The Madrilenians’ top scorer found the ball in front of Liverpool goalkeeper Alison Becker. There Federico Valverde tried to get the ball. However, the ball swung like a pinball machine via Valverde to Liverpool players Ibrahima Konate and Fabinho. The latter kneeled the ball back to Benzema, who found the goal. The assistant referee immediately raised the flag and ruled offside. The video assistant referee did not reverse this decision after studying for several minutes. Doubtful as the Frenchman was offside but the ball clearly passed from Fabinho to Benzema.
There were no two opinions in the 59th minute, however, when Valverde put Vinicius Junior in the limelight perfectly and the Brazilian just had to slide in. With the 1-0 win, Real was about to win their 14th title in the premier class. But Liverpool didn’t give up. Salah had four chances to equalize (64′, 69′, 80′, 82′). But Courtois had something against it that evening and made the Reds despair with some sensational saves. It didn’t help the English to have created 23 chances to score. In the eyes of King Felipe, Real proved to be a master of efficiency, as they did throughout the European Cup. Three chances were enough for the handle pot.
Jürgen Klopp failed to become the fourth German coach in a row to win the Champions League. for is Carlo Ancelotti (“We deserved to win”) became the first coach to lead his teams to four triumphs in the club’s most prestigious competition. and David Alaba was able to look forward to his third Champions League title – after a solid game as a defender. “It’s just indescribable. I do not know what to say. i feel amazing It’s all crazy,” said the Viennese, whose entire family cheered at the Stade de France.
