Cristiano Ronaldo became one of the few to score two goals in the final as Real Madrid beat Juventus 4-1 to lift their second UEFA Champions League title since 1990.
A thrilling season of UEFA Champions League came to an end last night with Real Madrid claiming the prestigious title for a record 12th time. Los Blancos overcame resistance from Juventus and ended up deserved winners after securing a 4-1 win over the Old Lady.
Cristiano Ronaldo, as he so often does, started the party with a sumptuous finish form the edge of the box, which took a slight deflection before going in. Massimiliano Allegri’s side responded through Mario Mandzukic who scored one of the most insane goals scored in a final with an overhead kick from around 15 yards out.
Champions League Final: Real Madrid Players Celebrate After Winning 12th Title, Watch Video
Juventus were the better side in the first half. Although Real Madrid were hogging possession, they were hounded by Juve shirts as soon as they got to the final third. Juventus, for their part, were looking dangerous on the counter. But the presence of Cristiano Ronaldo was always going to be a boost for Real and it proved to be so.
The Portuguese captain played a one two with Dani Carvajal before taking a shot from just inside the box. It took a slight deflection of Leonardo Bonucci and went past Buffon. Real were in front, despite being second best.
In the second-half, Real came out all guns blazing. In the 61st minute, Casemiro took a shot from a distance from where he has no right to score. But, before the ball covers too much distance it took a scrape off the heals of Sami Khedira. That put it past the grip of Buffon and Real were in the lead again. Just over two minutes later, Cristiano Ronaldo slotted the ball past Buffon after some nippy work from Luka Modric and Real were three up.
Juventus looked down and out after that but the result would have been truly confirmed for the hopeless optimist only after Juan Cuadrado was sent off thanks to some very typical Sergio Ramos antics. Juventus fans had found there villain for the night but the game was well and truly lost then. Marco Asensio, who came in for Isco scored another and suddenly, Juventus had lost the match by an even more humiliating margin than what it was in the 2015 final against Barcelona.
Gianluigi Buffon almost had an expression of resignation as he walked around the pitch after the match. This was the third Champions League final for the Italian keeper in his near 22-year career. Depending on the way Juventus play, he may get another crack at the title next year. But what is sure, is that we are living in the era of Real Madrid.
The players celebrated with their families and loved ones in the Millennium Stadium as each player lifted and kissed the trophy that had Real Madrid etched on it.
Here are the Twitter Reactions:
https://twitter.com/Cristiano/status/871152689538899969
Congratulations @realmadrid for winning the trophy in Cardiff
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) June 3, 2017
.@realmadrid See you in the UEFA Super Cup!
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) June 3, 2017
https://twitter.com/GarethBale11/status/871126137610670080
https://twitter.com/ChampionsLeague/status/871116758106742784
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