Real Madrid lifted their 14th UEFA Champions League title after coming out
victorious with a slender victory against Liverpool in Paris on Saturday
night.

A second-half close-range opener from Vinicius Junior was enough to
ensure that Los Blancos deny The Reds' hope to avenge their 2018
Champions League final defeat to Madrid.

The unexpected kick-off delay as a result of chaos outside the Stade de
France eased off the high spirits from both clubs.

The match started off with the first chance in favour of Liverpool when Trent
Alexander-Arnold swung in a cross from the free kick but the ball was
cleared away by the Madrid defenders.

Inside the first 10 minutes, the match was tight with both teams looking to
settle but Liverpool seemed to be gaining confidence later as they were
playing more in the half of the Spanish giants.

The midfield battle was fascinating to watch with Thiago Alcantara,
Fabinho, and Jordan Henderson possess the ball more, forcing Real to
stay behind it.

After the first 20 minutes, Madrid began to play calmly taking the match
back to Liverpool. Vinicius attempted a long-range shot finding Liverpool’s
Allison Becker well positioned and alert to make the save.

Five minutes before halftime, Henderson met a rebound from a corner kick
and unleashed a first-time shot but his attempt flew wide of the right post.

In the 43 rd minute, Karim Benzema found the back of the net but the Video
Assistant Referee (VAR) denied Madrid what was going to be their opener.
The game went to halftime with a 0-0 scoreline on the board.

Liverpool’s front foot continued in the second half with The Reds exerting
pressure on Madrid.

However, it was Los Blancos who broke the deadlocks in the 58th minute when Vinicius tapped the ball into an empty net from Federico Valverde's cross that found him at the far post.

Later after a goal, Fabinho was shown a yellow card following a malicious
challenge on Valverde. In the 65th minute, Liverpool made the first change of the game when they took off Diaz for Diogo Jota. The Portuguese’s first move saw him bringing the cross in the area and found Salah alone at the far post but Courtois denied the Egyptian captain’s shot aimed at the almost impossible angle.

With the La Liga Champions resolute at the back, Jurgen Klopp's troops
started to feel the pressure as they were rushing to find the leveller.

In the 75th minute, Liverpool made a double substitution taking off
Henderson and Thiago for Naby Keita and Roberto Firmino respectively.

In the 80th minute, Salah set up Jota who took a shot but a fingertip from
Courtois was enough to send the ball wide resulting in a corner kick but
Madrid averted the danger. Soon after, the Egyptian forward outpaced
Mendy and placed a shot but it was Courtois’ night as he made another
terrific save. This was followed by a quick counter-attack from Madrid but
Daniel Carvajal's pass aimed at Vinicius was grabbed by Allison.

In the 86 th minute, Madrid made their first substitution when they sacrificed
Valverde for Eduardo Camavinga followed by Daniel Ceballos who came in
for Luca Modric in the 90 th minute. It seemed like Carlo Ancelloti was out to
distract Liverpool’s momentum when he made another change bringing in
Rodrygo for Vinicius in the 92 nd minute inside the 5 minutes stoppage time.
The match finally ended with Madrid marching to lift their 14 th Champions
League title.

Bianca De Jongh

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