Viet Nam News KIEV — Gareth Bale came off the bench to score twice, including one of the all-time great goals in a Champions League final, as Real Madrid beat Liverpool 3-1 in Kiev yesterday to take the trophy for the third year running. Bale’s jaw-dropping overhead kick in the 64th minute put Real 2-1 up moments after his introduction, following a dramatic start to the second half in which Karim Benzema gave Real the lead as a result of a Loris Karius howler. Sadio Mane had briefly restored parity, but Bale put Real in front again and then sealed the triumph late on with a long-range strike that the unfortunate Karius could only punch into the net. Jurgen Klopp’s and Liverpool’s own evening was marred by the loss of a distraught Mohamed Salah to injury in the first half, the Egyptian coming off half an hour in having damaged his shoulder. This was not to be Salah’s night, with Real allowing Zinedine Zidane to become the first coach ever to win the … [Read more...] about Brilliant Bale breaks Liverpool hearts as Real Madrid win Champions League
Cristiano ronaldo on real madrid
How Real Madrid won three Champions League finals in four years
Real Madrid will be targeting their fourth Champions League success in five years on Saturday as they go up against Liverpool in the final in Kiev. Former Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti (left) and Real Madrid's then assistant manager Zinedine Zidane. (AFP/GERARD JULIEN) Here, we look at how Real held their nerve at the last stage to lift the cup in 2014, 2016 and 2017. 2013-14: Real Madrid 4-1 Atletico Madrid Real had waited 12 years to win their 10th European crown, "La Decima", a feat that had swelled with importance the longer the delay dragged on. Beating city rivals and La Liga champions Atletico, who themselves had reached their first final since 1974, added some extra spice but the match is perhaps best remembered for the arrival of Gareth Bale, in his first season at the club, both at the back post in extra-time to head Real in front and as a star at the club. It proved a knock-out blow for Atleti, who had come within a whisker of pulling off their dream upset, … [Read more...] about How Real Madrid won three Champions League finals in four years
Liverpool out to end Real Madrid’s dominance in Champions League final
Liverpool fans in Kiev - but getting to the Ukrainian capital is proving too difficult, and too costly, for many supporters. (AFP/Sergei SUPINSKY) Real have seen this as their competition ever since winning the first five European Cups in a row, and this is another golden era for them, in which they are dreaming of making it a fourth Champions League in five years. Neither Atletico Madrid (twice) nor Juventus have been able to stop Cristiano Ronaldo from inflicting pain on them in recent finals. But Liverpool's own attacking quality gives them reason to believe and suggests the Olympic Stadium in the Ukrainian capital could be the scene of an unforgettable encounter. In terms of history alone, this is a dream final. Real's 12 European Cup wins puts them way ahead of the rest, but Liverpool have lifted the famous trophy five times themselves, most recently in 2005, defying all the odds against AC Milan in Istanbul. This time, under Klopp, their adventure started against Hoffenheim in … [Read more...] about Liverpool out to end Real Madrid’s dominance in Champions League final
Real Madrid held to draw at home by Athletic Bilbao
Real Madrid may the favourites for the Champions League but a 1-1 draw against Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday (Apr 18) will hardly have struck fear into Bayern Munich. Athletic Bilbao's Mikel Balenciaga (left), Inigo Cordoba (2nd left) and Inigo Martinez (right) vie with Real Madrid's Marco Asensio (centre) during the Spanish league football match. (JAVIER SORIANO/AFP) Zinedine Zidane's side started complacently at the Santiago Bernabeu and ended frantically, with Cristiano Ronaldo's 87th-minute equaliser cancelling out a delightful early chip from Athletic's Inaki Williams in between. Barcelona's commanding lead at the top of La Liga, which now stands at 12 points over Atletico Madrid and 15 on Real, means these matches carry reduced significance and inevitably lack a certain edge. But Zidane may at least be concerned by a loss of momentum, particularly given this side is likely to be very close to the one that starts the semi-final first leg at the Allianz Arena in a week's … [Read more...] about Real Madrid held to draw at home by Athletic Bilbao
Ronaldo’s magic fires Real Madrid past 10 man Juventus
TURIN, Italy: Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player to score in 10 successive Champions League games as he struck twice for holders Real Madrid in a 3-0 win at Juventus in Tuesday's (Apr 3) quarter-final first leg. Real Madrid's Marcelo (right) celebrates with teammates Lucas Vazquez (centre) and Cristiano Ronaldo (left) after scoring a goal against Juventus during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg football match. (Alberto PIZZOLI/AFP) Ronaldo grabbed the opening goal in Turin after just three minutes and added a second on the hour with a sensational overhead bicycle kick, taking him to 14 goals in this season's competition. Juventus forward Paulo Dybala was sent off on 66 minutes before Ronaldo set up Marcelo to cap the rout and leave Real in complete control of the tie going into the second leg in Madrid on Apr 11. The 33-year-old Portugal star had shared the previous record with former Manchester United team-mate Ruud van Nistelrooy, who scored in … [Read more...] about Ronaldo’s magic fires Real Madrid past 10 man Juventus