Vinicius Strikes As Real Madrid Beat Liverpool To Claim 14th Champions League Crown
Vinicius Junior scored the decisive goal as Real Madrid beat Liverpool 1-0 to lift the Champions League trophy in Paris on Saturday 28.
Madrid got the vital goal in the 59th minute when Vinicius tucked away his fourth of this season’s competition – from one of just four Blancos attempts.
Premier League runners-up Liverpool were denied by a string of superb saves from Thibaut Courtois either side of that strike, and Carlo Ancelotti’s side held on to lift the European Cup for a 14th time – seven more than any other side.
Liverpool had started in confident mood, but failed to take the lead inside the opening 20 minutes courtesy of two fine stops from Courtois.
The Real Madrid goalkeeper got down quickly to keep out Mohamed Salah’s instinctive effort, before he superbly pawed Sadio Mane’s powerful strike onto the post.
Madrid thought they had taken the lead shortly before the interval when Karim Benzema stroked home after some slapstick defending from Liverpool, yet it was ruled out for offside against the France international – the decision confirmed by the VAR after a lengthy review.
They were not to be denied just before the hour mark, however, when Vinicius stole in behind Trent Alexander-Arnold to turn in Federico Valverde’s low ball across the penalty area.
Courtois made three vital saves from Salah inside the final 20 minutes – the last of which really caught the eye – to cap a wonderful individual display and ensure Ancelotti’s men claimed a record-extending triumph.
Liverpool created enough chances but this Madrid side, who overcame Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Manchester City to reach the final in Paris, are made of stern stuff.
Victory meant Ancelotti sealed a fourth Champions League triumph – the most by any coach in the competition’s history (Milan in 2002-03 and 2006-07 and Madrid in 2013-14).
Liverpool are left to lick their wounds after a second consecutive defeat to Los Blancos in the final of this competition, following the 3-1 loss in 2018.