4. Penalty shootout against Atletico Madrid
Many of you are probably wondering why this is an important moment when a penalty kick is something routine for a player of his quality. That is correct, but it is when he stepped up to take a vital penalty while being injured. It is unknown whether the coaching staff knew about it, but he was determined to take a penalty and went on to score it without any issues. In fact, it was not until scoring it that he showed his injury as he limped back to the group.
Along with this, he was fundamental in Real Madrid’s opening goal as his header would find an open Sergio Ramos to give the team the lead. That would finish with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring the game-winning penalty in the shootout and Real Madrid lifting their 11th Champions League title.
3. Champions League Final 2014
The player many remember in Real Madrid’s famous Champions League final victory against Atletico Madrid in Lisbon is Sergio Ramos with his clutch tying goal in stoppage time that sent the game into extra time. However, somebody who at times gets completely forgotten is Gareth Bale who just so happened to score the goal that gave Real Madrid the lead in extra time.
After Di Maria split through some Atletico defenders and had his initial shot saved by the keeper, the ball fell straight to Gareth Bale who headed it in from a difficult angle to give Real Madrid the lead. Real Madrid would eventually go on to the win the game and lift the long-awaited 10th Champions League title.