Michael
Liverpool’s bid to claim the Champions League trophy for the seventh time ended in bitter disappointment as Vinicius Jr’s second-half winner gave Real Madrid victory in Paris.
Vinicius Jr scored the only goal as Real Madrid beat Liverpool 1-0 in the Champions League final to become European champions for the 14th time.
Kickoff was delayed by more than half an hour amid security issues and organisational disarray outside the ground. Jurgen Klopp’s side started the brighter, with Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois brilliantly tipping Sadio Mane’s 21st-minute strike against the post.
Shortly before half-time, Karim Benzema had the ball in the net for Los Blancos but a lengthy VAR check adjudged him to be offside.
Vinicius held his position perfectly at the back post, though, to survive a VAR examination and tap in Federico Valverde’s cross.
For the third cup final this season, Liverpool were unable to find the net, largely as a result of a performance for the ages from the magnificent Courtois.
Thes Reds had a host of chances throughout the match but came up against an inspired performance from ex-Chelsea star Courtois.
The Belgium number one had already thwarted Mohamed Salah at close quarters from Trent Alexander-Arnold’s early cutback and he excelled himself midway through the first half when he tipped Mane’s shot against the upright at full-stretch and earned the good fortune of the ball rolling across his goalline and back into his grasp.
The Liverpool defence breathed a sigh of relief as half-time approached when Benzema capitalised upon a penalty box scramble. Even though Fabinho got the final touch of the ball before the France striker scored from an offside position, the Liverpool midfielder was ruled not to have played the ball intentionally.
A cagey start to the second period appeared to be to Madrid’s advantage and, after Salah had a couple of snapshots blocked, the tireless Valverde caught Alexander-Arnold napping at the back post and Vinicius completed a simple finish to send the Madrid fans behind the goal wild.
Klopp sent on Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino, the former on after Dani Carvajal unblinkingly stifled Luis Diaz, but a Madrid defensive unit that looked ragged at other times during the knockout rounds held firm.
It should be said Liverpool still managed to fire off 24 attempts on goal, but Courtois would not be denied his stupendous 83rd-minute stop after Salah powered past Ferland Mendy and ripped a right-footed shot towards the top corner bringing a familiar finishing line into sight for Europe’s most successful club.
The match in Paris was marred by ugly pre-match scenes outside the Stade de France as Liverpool fans were pepper-sprayed and tear-gassed in incidents the club have called ‘unacceptable’.
