So the Champions League comes to an end as well, capping off a decidedly enthralling European season! There's plenty of action coming up this year, and Europe's club football giants will take a well-deserved break before the start of the new season. This is your host for the evening, Aditya Hosangadi, bidding you adieu! Cheers!
Of all Real Madrid's successes in the Champions League, this may well be one of the most special. They were written off against three massive teams in the competition, and they've come back to win it in some style!
Liverpool played their hearts out tonight and had Los Blancos on the ropes in the first half. You cannot afford lapses of concentration in finals, however, and Vinicius Junior's name will forever be etched in Champions League history for his decisive strike tonight.
Real Madrid should’ve been eliminated in every single round before this, yet they’re the Champions. Probably the most insane Champions League run I’ve ever seen.
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) May 28, 2022
Real Madrid are Europe's biggest team - make no mistake. Liverpool threw everything at them tonight, and Real Madrid were up to the task. A clinical performance from the Spanish champions, and Liverpool - for the second time this month - have come so close, only to finish runners-up.
They've done it! Real Madrid are European champions for a record 14th time. An unfathomable feat for a team that has been built to achieve exactly that.
The final whistle!
Liverpool 0-1 Real Madrid
90 + 5' Courtois! Rather poetically, Thibaut Courtois - for possibly the final time tonight, flies off his line to snuff out Liverpool's final chance.
90 + 2' Real Madrid's hero for the night - Vinicius Junior - goes off for Rodrygo Goes.
90+1' Dani Ceballos is through on goal for Real Madrid this time, but Alisson does hie part to keep Real Madrid from doubling their lead.
Five minutes of added time..
87' Liverpool's high line nearly backfires, with Vinicius bending his run. He's marginally offisde, however, and Liverpool push ahead to win a corner.
85' Real Madrid make a change, as Federico Valverde is replaced by Eduardo Camavinga.
83' COURTOIS AGAIN! One of his best saves tonight, this. Keeps Real Madrid alive with another stunning save, and denies Mohamed Salah the equaliser.
81' Jota nearly scores, as a shot from Salah deflects into his path. Courtois does well to get a hand to it and keeps it out.
78' Another chance for Liverpool! Alexander-Arnold in plenty of space on the right, but his cross meets a wall of Real Madrid defenders.
77' An attacking change for Liverpool, as Roberto Firmino comes on for Thiago.
74' JOTA! Nearly gets his shot on target, but it cleflects past Courtois' goal.
69' COURTOIS AGAIN! Another save, moving across the goal this time. Winning his battle with Salah, is the Belgian goalkeeper!
66' Real Madrid clear their lines from the free-kick quite easily. Liverpool need to step up in the final third.
Liverpool, meanwhile, have a promising free-kick.
65' DIogo Jota on for Luis DIaz, for Liverpool
64' Courtois with another save! Salah cuts in on to his left foot and curls his effort towards the far post, but Courtois dives to his right to pull off an impressive save.
Vini Jr. That's it. that's the tweet.
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) May 28, 2022
62' Yellow Card for Fabinho. The Brazilian midfielder has been rattled in the last few minutes and takes his frustrations out on Fede Valverde.
Great ball in from Federico Valverde to the far post, and it caught Alexander-Arnold napping. Vinicius beats Liverpool's defensive line and taps the ball into the net to give Real Madrid a massive goal!
59' VINICIUS WITH THE GOAL! REAL MADRID 1-0!
56' A brief stoppage here as Luis Diaz bundles over Eder Militao, who is now receiving medical attention.
54' Another important save from Courtois! Inviting cross from Liverpool's right-back, but Courtois nips the chance in the bud again.
49' Casemiro is bullied off the ball by Trent Alexander-Arnold, but the referee calls play back for a foul. An impressive start to the second half for Liverpool
47' LUIS DIAZ THIS TIME! Real Madrid carelessly give the ball away, and Alexander-Arnold whips in an impressive cross to the far post. Real Madrid do just about enough to clear their lines.
Right, so we're back with the second half. Real Madrid get things started, attacking from right to left.
Both teams have plenty of talent on the bench, and we could be in for a long night here. Real Madrid have a wealth of experience on this particular stage, and Liverpool's nervy end to the first half bodes well for Carlo Ancelotti.
A goalless first half, and we still had plenty of action! Thibaut Courtois singlehandedly kept Salah and Mane at bay, before Karim Benzema nearly snatched the lead for Real Madrid at the stroke of half-time. Liverpool started well, but allowed Real Madrid to take control towards the end of the half.
HALF-TIME: Liverpool 0-0 Real Madrid
45 + 3' Real Madrid have a spring in their step and are dominating the ball at the moment. Liverpool will need to play out the half here..
Three minutes of added time..
No goal! Benzema's strike is ruled out, and Liverpool survive a massive scare. Real Madrid's best chance so far.
A VAR check for the offside call..
Chaotic defending from Liverpool, for the first time tonight. Benzema is through on goal and wrong-foots his man, but Alisson gets big on his shot. Valverde nearly pounces on the rebound, and Benzema - the poacher that he is - is on to the loose ball.
43' OFFSIDE!!! Utter panic from Liverpool! Benzema finds the back of the net but is in an offside position.
40' Mane with a chance! Robertson feeds a short pass into his feet in the penalty area, but Militao does just enough to throw him off balance.
36' Vinicius Junior finally gets his chance and dribbles into the Liverpool penalty box. Takes on one too many defenders though, and concedes a goal-kick.
34' Salah again! Straight into Courtois' hands. Liverpool are pushing the ante up, and it's only the Belgian standing between them and the lead at the moment.
29' Another elaborate Liverpool move that ends up with a comfortable Thibaut Courtois catch. The game has seemed to settle after a fairly frantic early period.
25' Real Madrid enjoy their first spell of possession but remain a step behind Liverpool's shape. A wayward cross into the box ends the move, however, and Alisson comfortably launches another Liverpool foray.
21' MANE HITS THE POST! Courtois with another BLINDER of a save, as he gets a hand to Mane's powerful strike. The ball rattles the post and bounces back into play. The Belgian has already been Real Madrid's saving grace tonight.
19' Trent Alexander-Arnold with a shot this time, but he skies his attempt. Intricate play from Liverpool there - Salah and Mane look threatening tonight.
Liverpool have visibly been the better team so far, and they're upping the tempo as well. Only a matter of time, at this rate.
17' Another attempt! Salah again, with Mane the prime mover this time. Much more comfortable a save for Thibaut Courtois though, and the move breaks down.
16' SALAH! So close to the first goal for Liverpool! Alexander-Arnold squeezes his way into the penalty box and drills his cross into Salah. The Egyptian striker side foots his attempt on goal, and Courtois does brilliantly to get a strong hand on it!
14' Robertson with the cross! But there's no one in red at the far post. Liverpool the better team at the moment, but they cannot afford to take Real Madrid lightly.
12' Trent Alexander-Arnold has occupied a fairly advanced position on the pitch - both in defence and in attack - and wins the ball back at the midfield line. Liverpool have kept the ball well but are yet to create a concrete chance.
Both teams are clicking into gear at the moment, and the fact that they are similarly effective on the counter makes this game an intriguing watch.
7' Sadio Mane is muscled off the ball and Real Madrid look to launch into Liverpool's defence. Valverde showcases his pace down the right but is unable to find a teammate in the final third.
4' Liverpool are implementing an effective high press at the moment, and Real Madrid will have their opportunities on the counter tonight.
1' Mohamed Salah wins the ball high up the pitch and tries to set up an attack, but Militao is in the right place at the right time.
KICK-OFF! Liverpool get things going, attacking from right to left.
And for one last time this season - the Champions League anthem!
Right, stadium chaos aside, the players have started warming up. Kick-off is officially 17 minutes away at this point, and tensions in the stadium are already starting to build.
Finding it impossible to get in the ground. This appears to be very dangerous. Absolute carnage.
Update: Kick-off has been delayed by a few minutes because of issues with fan entries into the stadium. Fairly surprising for a venue as high-profile as the Stade de France!
"Comeback kings and mentality monsters" - Real Madrid's Champions League acumen is clearly not lost on Jurgen Klopp. PSG, Chelsea, and Manchester City have already suffered the wrath of Carlo's machinations. Liverpool may well take the lead tonight, but they aren't going to have a moment's peace - that is the impact Real Madrid have had on their opponents this season.
Right, so both teams have played their cards, at least on paper. Will it count for anything? In Champions League finals, teamsheets generally don't count for much. This is a showpiece event - the pinnacle of club football. Liverpool and Real Madrid - masters of the comeback - up against each other at the Stade de France in less than an hour!
For Liverpool, Luis Diaz gets the nod over Diogo Jota, with Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane completely a lethal front three. Jurgen Klopp's men are better prepared than they were four years ago. But they're up against the most successful team in the UEFA Champions League - by a good country mile.
The lineups are out!
Real Madrid have predictably picked their veteran midfield lynchpins for the Champions League final, with Casemiro, Modric, and Kroos stepping up yet again. Federico Valverde has been preferred to a third forward - could his tenacity prove effective against Liverpool's press?
Real Madrid have enjoyed a magical run to the Champions League final. The Los Blancos have punched above their weight time and again. PSG, Chelsea and Manchester City bore the brunt of dramatic comebacks that have put them within touching distance of European glory.
Liverpool may have missed out on the quadruple, but nobody can deny the quality they've shown to push till the end in all competitions this season. With two trophies already in the bag, sweet revenge over Real Madrid tonight would seal a remarkable cup treble for the Reds!
Liverpool or Real Madrid? Who are you backing to win the big prize tonight?
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 28, 2022
Ahead of the UEFA Champions League final, Paul Merson, speaking exclusively to Sportskeeda has made his prediction for the big game. You can read it here:
The biggest game of club football is here! Liverpool vs Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League final. Will it be number 7 for The Reds or will Los Blancos make it their 14th European Championship? We are only a few hours from finding out
Liverpool played their hearts out tonight and had Los Blancos on the ropes in the first half. You cannot afford lapses of concentration in finals, however, and Vinicius Junior's name will forever be etched in Champions League history for his decisive strike tonight.
Liverpool 0-1 Real Madrid
The Brazilian midfielder has been rattled in the last few minutes and takes his frustrations out on Fede Valverde.
The second half coming up in a few minutes!
Liverpool get things going, attacking from right to left.
Real Madrid have predictably picked their veteran midfield lynchpins for the Champions League final, with Casemiro, Modric, and Kroos stepping up yet again. Federico Valverde has been preferred to a third forward - could his tenacity prove effective against Liverpool's press?
"Team that scores first wins" - Paul Merson predicts the result of the UEFA Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid
https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/news-team-scores-first-wins-paul-merson-predicts-result-uefa-champions-league-final-liverpool-real-madrid