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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Oisin Doherty

Real Madrid 1-0 Liverpool: Match report as Madrid claim 14th Champions League title

Vinicius Jr's second half goal was the difference between the two sides as Real Madrid edged out Liverpool to claim a 14th European Cup triumph.

While many expected a barnburner of a contest, the beginning of the game was surprisingly flat. However, much of that had to do with off the field issues.

A 36 minute delay infuriated fans and TV audiences around the world. However, concerns over disrupted viewing schedules was put on the backburner when the true nature of the delay became apparent. Social media footage and journalists reports from in and around the stadium appeared to show many Liverpool fans being pepper sprayed by police and dealt with in a very confrontational manner.

(Getty Images)

When the game finally began, the nerves of both sides were clear to be seen. Madrid looked edgy in the opening few minutes, while Liverpool ran around in a chaotic manner in an attempt to unsettle the likes of Militao and Alaba.

Liverpool settled quicker than Madrid and had the first real chance of the half in the 16th minute. Trent Alexander Arnold darted past a couple of defenders before pulling a ball back to Mo Salah. Salah's shot was saved by Courtois, which became a common story as the match progressed.

The Reds pressure very nearly told mid-way through the first half when Sadio Mane got the ball in some space. Mane drove into the Madrid box, cut inside and unleashed a fearsome strike towards goal. Courtois was up to the task, and stretched every fibre of his being to tip the ball safely onto the post.

It took Madrid until the 45th minute to show any kind of threat. A chaotic bit of defending by Madrid saw Karim Benzema manage to bundle the ball into the back of the net. A long VAR check eventually determined that the Frenchman was offside and the goal was chalked off. Relief for Liverpool, but a clear sign of the threat that Real posed.

While the first half may have been a slow burn, the second half was all action. Madrid settled in the second half and looked a much more cohesive attacking unit. Luka Modric and Toni Kroos, who had looked leggy in the first half, suddenly looked like their old selves and managed to secure some much needed possession for Madrid.

Liverpool still looked the more dangerous side. However, this all changed in the 59th minute.

Casemiro played the ball out to Fede Valverde who, for the first time, managed to find some space and evade the watchful gaze of Andy Robertson. Valverde drove the ball along the ground to the back post where Vinicius was waiting. The Brazilian made no mistake and found the back of the net. Alexander Arnold, however, will be disappointed with the ease in which the winger got into the space behind him at the back post.

And then the onslaught came. Liverpool put Madrid under immense pressure. Keita ballooned one over the bar when it seemed difficult to miss the target, while Jota couldn't quite guide Alexander Arnold's drive towards goal.

But everyone could see that Madrid's name was on the trophy with seven minutes to play. A lovely ball over the top was controlled instantly by Mo Salah. The Egyptian shifted the ball onto his right foot and smashed one at goal, but Courtois was up to the task and produced one of the great Champions League Final saves.

In the end, Liverpool's late surge petered out, with the game fittingly ending with the ball in the hands of Courtois. Amazing scenes of joy for the Madrid players at the end of the game as Karim Benzema and Marcelo lifted the trophy.

All eyes were on Benzema ahead of tonight's game, but Vinicius winds up the hero after securing Madrid a record extending 14th European title. For Liverpool, an historic quadruple becomes a domestic double, and the wait for 'seventh heaven' lingers on for another year.

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