By Samindra Kunti in Kiev
May 29 – Substitute Gareth Bale scored twice for Real Madrid to win the Champions League 3-1 win against much-fancied underdogs Liverpool. Mohamed Salah dislocated his shoulder and Loris Karius was the anti-hero, conceding two astounding goals that led Madrid to glory. Madrid’s win was historic in collecting a 13th European Cup. The victory may also have signified the end of an era.
The English had gone into the final with high hopes. Liverpool had knocked out Premier League champions Manchester City in swashbuckling style before toppling AS Roma in the semi-finals, but in the final in Ukraine Jurgen Klopp’s team were no match for a supreme Real Madrid. Zinedine Zidane’s Real Madrid didn’t play any vintage football – they have never done so – but their experience, craft and cunning were all too much for a Liverpool that in the end seemed to rely too much on their talismanic Egyptian.
Salah had been energetic in the opening exchanges, but Sergio Ramos and his dark arts curtailed Salah’s final and put in jeopardy his World Cup with Egypt in Russia. The Madrid captain wrapped himself around Salah’s shoulder and dragged him to the ground. It was seemingly innocent, but the end product was shocking. Salah limped off the field, weeping, his final over and his World Cup in serious doubt. Ramos offered nothing but a cynical grin.
Liverpool and Klopp were stunned. Ramos and Madrid, however, never looked back. They were almost rampant and seized the initiative. Ultimately, Karius granted Madrid the lead. He simply rolled the ball into Karim Benzema’s path, who, scarcely knowing what had happened, scored after the ball hit his outstretched leg and rebounded into to the goal.
For a moment Sadio Mane, Liverpool’s key presence and best player on the pitch, galvanized the underdogs with an equaliser. Liverpool had recovered from Salah’s premature and heartbreaking exit, but that was just temporary. Madrid sized control, Zidane subbed Isco for Gareth Bale, who with dreamlike overhead kick decided the final.
What Karius did next, was ultimately irrelevant, flapping through a long shot from Gareth Bale. It all mattered little. Real Madrid were champions of Europe again in the most emphatic of styles. In the middle of the celebrations both Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale hinted that they may leave the Spanish capital and look for other challenges.
Zidane didn’t seem bothered. As ever, Madrid don’t measure their success by the talent of their players, but by the silverware the club has lifted. Thirteen European Cups then isn’t a bad return.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1714163169labto1714163169ofdlr1714163169owedi1714163169sni@i1714163169tnuk.1714163169ardnm1714163169as1714163169