Quick-take Reaction: Real Madrid triumphant for the 13th time
Real Madrid traveled to Kiev as they played yet another Champions League Final. Los Blancos are champions once again as they defeated Liverpool 3-1 Saturday. Here’s a quick recap of the match.
Real Madrid had another chance to write their name in the history books of the Champions League and made no mistake in their efforts. After an incredible run in the competition, Real reached their fourth final in five years. There was a lot of speculation as to who would win the match as Liverpool had some force of their own.
The match started off with a mound of pressure from Liverpool who had plenty of chances. To close out the half, Madrid finally got a hold of the match and applied some pressure of their own. All the goals came in the second-half with a roller coaster of emotions flying. Here’s a quick look at the victory.
First Half
The opening 20 minutes saw a fury of pressure from the Reds as they peppered the defense of Real Madrid. With several blocked shots from Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane, they made Keylor Navas’ job a whole lot easier. Real struggled to get a firm grip on the game and were unable to play the ball out from the back.
In the span of ten minutes, Madrid and Liverpool lost key players from their squad. The 31st minute saw Mohammed Salah come off for Adam Lallana. Salah got tangled up with Sergio Ramos, in turn, falling hard on his shoulder. The Egyptian would try and shake the incident off but left in tears as he was unable to continue.
Dani Carvajal left the game in tears as well after what looks to be a re-injury of his ankle or hamstring. Nacho came on for his fellow Spaniard and held his ground.
With Salah gone, Liverpool’s high press was no more and Madrid started to string together some passes. Real Madrid thought they had taken the lead, but it was called offside. Karim Benzema had started celebrating early only to see the flag by the linesman raised high. The first-half ended with Madrid on the front foot.
Second Half
While the first half was plagued with horrible injuries for both sides, the second half had all the goals. Less than 10 minutes into the half the hard-working Frenchman, Karim Benzema, would score an absurd goal. Benzema’s opening goal is unlike anything you’ve ever seen before, it was something from a video game. Goalkeeper Loris Karius tried rolling the ball to his defender but the oncoming Benzema stuck his boot out, deflecting the ball into the net.
Liverpool bounced back quickly after a set piece finish from Sadio Mane. A cross from James Milner from a corner kick would find it’s way to Mane with Marcelo failing to cover the attacker.
In the 61st minute, Zidane elected to substitute Isco for Gareth Bale. While Isco had some great chances and grew into the game, it was Bale who converted on his chances.
ARE YOU SERIOUS! Gareth Bale scores one of the best goals you'll EVER see to give Real Madrid a 2-1 lead! #UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/SCqFozk6qx
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) May 26, 2018
Just two minutes after coming on the pitch, the Welshman scored an out of this world bicycle kick. Marcelo’s cross from the left flank was met with an acrobatic shot which was a moment of pure brilliance. Bale’s goal would be the brace for Real Madrid.
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Marcelo and Bale would team up once more for another confusing goal scored by Real. Bale would take his chances with a strike from some 30 yards out. His shot dipped and swerved at the last minute with Karius unable to handle the shot.
The 3-1 scoreline would hold with Asensio being the final substitute of the match. Real Madrid has now won three successive Champions League titles with four appearances in the last five years. The Whites have extended their title haul to 13 Champions League titles.