Real Madrid now has 14, which is more than the next two most successful clubs in Europe combined (AC Milan has seven, Liverpool has six).
Liverpool’s effort to win the Champions League for the eighth time came up short in Paris, as Real Madrid won thanks to a second-half winner from Vinicius Jr.
Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois delivered one of the great individual performances to frustrate Liverpool time and time again, as Jurgen Klopp’s side ran into a one-man wall of defiance. Mohamed Salah, seeking retribution for his early exit from the 2018 final against Real Madrid due to injury, was denied six times by Courtois, who was simply untouchable.
Carlo Ancelotti also makes history by becoming the first coach to win the Champions League four times. Real was always a threat, and Vinicius scored the game-winning goal after 59 minutes when he snuck in unnoticed at the far post.
The final was also overshadowed by tumultuous scenes outside Stade de France, with hundreds of Liverpool fans unable to enter the stadium, some of whom were pepper sprayed by French police, leading the kick-off to be delayed by more than 30 minutes.
🗣 Thibaut Courtois: “When Real Madrid play finals they win them." 🏆
— SPORF (@Sporf) May 28, 2022
👏 And he made sure of that! pic.twitter.com/CHK40vwhhy
Liverpool’s fantastic season saw them win the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup, both on penalties against Chelsea, but the season ended in a double disappointment in the last week. The Champions League might have alleviated the pain of missing out on the Premier League by one point to Manchester City, only for Liverpool to be on the receiving end of Courtois’ goalkeeping masterclass.
Nine saves.
— B/R Football (@brfootball) May 28, 2022
Thibaut Courtois EARNED that first Champions League title 😘 pic.twitter.com/DAlppxMYny
The Belgian was immaculate in his handling and was a continuous thorn in Salah’s side. He superbly diverted Sadio Mane’s attempt on to the post and commanded his penalty area. As Courtois manned the barricade for Real, Salah held his head in astonishment on numerous times, leaving the Egyptian to nurse the anguish of yet another Champions League final defeat by the Spanish giants.
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