Vinícius Júnior scored the goal that beat Liverpool in the final but the Belgian keeper was Real Madrid’s matchwinner.
There was no comeback this time, as there had been against Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Manchester City, but Real had to survive almost an entire game of Liverpool dominance. The night, though, was unfortunately marred by security issues outside of the stadium, which led to fans clambering over gates and others being targeted by tear gas in scenes that will be spoken about for days to come.
To say Courtois enjoyed a world class performance in Paris would be an understatement. The Belgian was at his imperious best, making nine saves in the game, including outstanding stops to deny Sadio Mané and Mohamed Salah.
Vinícius Júnior scored the only goal of the game, but Courtois was the match winner. Courtois lost his previous Champions League final – against Real Madrid in 2014, when he was playing for Atlético – so he was determined to become a European champion on Saturday.
Liverpool and Real Madrid have met eight times in competitive fixtures in the past and the Reds have won just once, in the Champions League final of 1981, which also took place in Paris. Real Madrid has won four times, while the remaining three matches have been draws.
For much of the match it wasn’t pretty; white shirts, it seemed, were constantly strewn across the penalty area as they desperately attempted to repel wave after wave of Liverpool attacks.
Chances were few and far between for Carlo Ancelotti’s side, but it only needed one. Vinicius Junior appeared completely unmarked at the far post on the hour mark to turn home Federico Valverde’s low cross and secure the 1-0 win and Real’s 14th European crown.
In this sense the comeback stuff has been misleading. What Madrid really want is control. That was what they found in Paris. By the end Liverpool had taken 24 shots at goal, only four of them on target; Madrid had four shots in total. Liverpool had more possession and three times as many corners.
But Madrid were always more precise. The front three lost the ball eight times between them all game. Mo Salah lost the ball eight times all on his own. In midfield, Madrid seemed to be playing in more vivid colours. Toni Kroos didn’t run or hustle or press much, but completed 93% of his 83 passes.
Kroos and Luka Modric lost control of the ball in possession once all game between them. This is simply a supreme group of players, governed by the ice-cold intelligence of that all‑time midfield, plus of course the deceptively precise light touch style of Carlo Ancelotti.
Once again, it was Real Madrid’s night.
My Goat Sports 