Real Madrid were outplayed by Liverpool in the Champions League final at least statistically, yet they scored and then grinded out the victory.
That is precisely what they do, particularly in this competition.
As in the extra-time periods against Chelsea and Manchester City, once Madrid was ahead, they maintained a vice-like grasp on the lead. Liverpool buzzed around their area, but Thibaut Courtois never seemed like he was going to be defeated.
The Madrid kings of Europe lifted a record 14th European Cup in Paris, doubling the number of their nearest rival, AC Milan, who has seven. Carlo Ancelotti, the coach, has won the competition four times, the most of any manager.
A familiar sight. Madrid kings of Europe! 👑#UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/GOK8us5u09
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 28, 2022
Real Madrid has won five Champions League trophies in nine seasons, a record unrivaled by any team – save Real Madrid, which also won the first five editions of the event from 1956 to 1960.
Los Blancos have ruled European football since its inception, and no one can stop them now that they’ve decided this is their year.
Starting in early March, when Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma gave the ball away to Karim Benzema inside his own six-yard box, this was a miraculous run to the final.
With less than half an hour remaining in the match, the French side led 2-0 on aggregate, with Kylian Mbappe and his teammates dominating the first 150 minutes.
However, after Donnarumma gave Madrid an inch, they took a mile, then a few thousand more, from London to Manchester, and then to Paris. Finally, they return to the Spanish capital, Plaza de Cibeles, to celebrate their victory with tens of thousands of supporters.
They had a miracle to force extra time against Chelsea, as they were 3-0 down in the second leg and needed an unrepeatable, mind-bending assist from Luka Modric to Rodrygo.
Then there was the game against Manchester City, when Rodrygo scored two goals in just over a minute at the death to send the game to extra time.
But they didn’t need Rodrygo or another miracle in the final, unless you want to call Courtois’ performance that.
Stop it, Thibaut Courtois! 🥵
Joke of a save! #UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/3KunsBBN9G
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) May 28, 2022
COURTOIS. BEAST MODE. 😤 pic.twitter.com/zACTW8ncyM
— Champions League final on CBS & Paramount+ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 28, 2022
Courtois came up big for Real Madrid in Paris, denying an early Mohamed Salah attempt and delivering a masterful save to deny Sadio Mane in between.
Mane made a Champions League-winning save by tipping the ball against his right-hand post. Courtois simply didn’t realize it at the time.
Before halftime, Madrid felt they had grabbed the lead through Karim Benzema, but the goal was ruled out for an exceedingly debatable offside call against the forward, which rested on whether Fabinho had deflected the ball into his path purposefully or unintentionally.
Vinicius Junior, who tucked home following a beautiful ball from the rampaging Fede Valverde, gave them the lead in the 59th minute.
REAL MADRID LEAD! 🔥
Vinícius Júnior steals in at the back post to tap home from close range ⚽️#UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/owgAzrA75V
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) May 28, 2022
VINICIUS JR. BREAKTHROUGH FOR REAL MADRID. 💥 pic.twitter.com/GVzH0BsgvZ
— Champions League final on CBS & Paramount+ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 28, 2022
Following that, Courtois and Madrid ceased operations. Salah had the finest chance for Liverpool, but the goalkeeper blocked his shot with his forearm.
Salah would not be able to redeem himself this time, as Courtois ensured.
The Belgium goalkeeper, who has had a fantastic season and is finally living up to the expectations he set at Atletico Madrid but didn’t quite meet at Chelsea, was a rock in goal.
Courtois made nine saves in the Champions League final, a new record since Opta began collecting data, and he now has 59 saves in a single season, more than any other goalkeeper.
“I said in yesterday’s press conference that when Madrid plays finals, they win.” “I was on the right side of history now,” Courtois said to BT Sport.
“I noticed a lot of tweets saying I’d be humbled today, but it was the exact opposite.”
“I wanted to win a final for my career, for all the hard work I’ve put in to earn respect for my name, which I don’t think I get enough of, especially in England.” Even after a fantastic season, I received a lot of criticism.”
After losing in the 2014 final with Atletico Madrid against Real Madrid, Courtois thought to himself, “If you can’t beat them, join them.”
Los Blancos needed another incredible comeback at the time; this time, Courtois made sure they didn’t.
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