Vinicius Junior scored the winning goal as Real Madrid beat Liverpool 1–0 in the Champions League final at the Stade de France in Paris to claim a record-long 14th title. The Brazilian striker went home one Fede Valverde shot from close range in the 59th minute to put Los Blancos ahead and Thibaut Courtois ensured that Jurgen Klopp’s side never found a way back, denying several Liverpool scoring attempts throughout the game.
It was a sad end to a fruitful season for Liverpool, where they finished every game they could. They have won two Domestic Cups (the League Cup and the FA Cup) and finished a difficult second against Manchester City in the Premier League with a single point.
Liverpool had more than 20 attempts and nine of them turned into goals, but failed to make them a Real Madrid goalkeeper, Courtois was a prodigy of the night.
On the other hand, Real Madrid have won La Liga and added another European crown to their cupboard. It was a season that saw Real Madrid face a tough test in all of the Champions League knockout rounds. It started with a win from behind against Paris St Germain in the round of 16, followed by a final second leg win, overall, against Chelsea in the quarter-finals. The scenario remained unchanged, and reality became even more dramatic, as Los Blancos scored two extremely late goals to see off Manchester City in the semi-final to advance to the climactic clash.
A story of missed opportunities for Liverpool
Liverpool started the game with a high pressing style and almost caught Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois from the third minute of the match.
Madrid tried to play fiercely with Benzema and Vinicius Jr playing hard. Liverpool despite being the first team to join a rhythm when the trio of Jordan Henderson, Thiago and Fabinho were steady in their passing game.
Liverpool continued to probe and made many breakthroughs into the Madrid box in the first 15 minutes, but could not threaten Courtois’ goal.
Madrid as expected are sitting deep and looking to break the counter-attack, depending on the aggressive pace of Vinicius and Benzema.
And it was the Red Devils who got the first goal in the round of 16order minutes when Alexander Arnold’s square ball from inside the Madrid penalty area finds its way past the defenders to approach Mohamed SalahThe weak shot challenged Courtois, who darted to the left to make a vital save.
Thiago and Salah’s two headers were followed, but both shots were easily saved by the Madrid keeper.
Liverpool almost took the lead in the 21st minute when Sadio Mane unleashed a dangerous right-footed shot, only for Courtois to send the ball up the post with his outstretched right arm and then pick the ball up from all the players.
Madrid almost got Vinicius on target in the 30th minuteorder minutes like Toni Kroos unleashed a cross that tore through the defense of the Brazilian in an overlapping position, only for Alexander-Arnold to block in time to finish the ball.
Mo Salah had his best chance in the half when Alexander-Arnold found him inside the Madrid box with a perfect pass from the right, but Egypt’s header went straight into Courtois.
Vinicius Jr has a chance at 36order Second minute, when he dribbled past a couple of Liverpool defenders in the box but Henderson was there to kick the corner before the Brazilian could.
But it was Real Madrid who had the ball in the net before Benzema shot from close range after Liverpool made a save. Long VAR check despite excluding goals and score still 0-0 after one half. That move though only gives a glimpse of how dangerous Madrid can be if they let Benzema score.
Los Blancos started the second half better as they passed the ball better with the midfield dominating but soon after, Liverpool pressed hard for them and once again Alexander-Arnold made Courtois struggle to save.
And it was Real Madrid who made Liverpool pay for missed opportunities when Vinicius Jr scored in the 59th minuteorder minute. Andy Robertson’s out-of-position allowed Fede Valverde to drop down the right and he made a precise pass into the box, Alexander-Arnold couldn’t cut off the far post, and that allowed Vinicius to get the ball. an easy touch of the ball. Spanish giants in the lead.
Courtois was summoned again in 64order minutes when Salah created a bit of personal magic, penetrating inside and unleashing a menacing left-footed cut, only for the Belgian goalkeeper to extend his right hand wide to save.
The game opened after Liverpool raised the goal to find an equalizer. That allows space in the back and Vinicius looks set to break through on the counter on a couple of occasions.
Alexander-Arnold remained at the center of most of Liverpool’s moves but Real Madrid’s players showed the technical acumen to keep the tempo of the game low.
Casemiro Madrid had a great opportunity to increase the lead when he was right in front of goal at the end of a free-kick, but his first touch let him down.
Promote
Liverpool is close to the 80’sorder Second minute, Diogo Jota shot towards goal but Courtois was present to turn around to take the corner.
Mo Salah was excellently close in the 82nd minutend Second minute, when he shot on goal from close range after being superbly grazed on the right flank with a repeat pass, but Courtois brilliantly saved another save.
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