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The clash between the reigning champions and the most successful English side in Champions League history to be crowned the Champions of Europe was full of emotions and controversies. At the very beginning, it was Liverpool who was dominating the game by putting a tremendous amount of pressure on the opposition, forcing them to play a wrong pass in order to capitalize over it through lightning-fast counter-attacks.
The reds were doing it very well that each time Real were forced to play a wrong pass, they accelerated towards the box but thanks to exceptional defending by Los Blancos, they failed to register shots on target. However, to defend your heart out couldn’t be the strategy to counter opposition in a Champions League final!.
Sadly, before Real made a breakthrough, a dream was shattered! The Egyptian prodigy Muhammed Salah got injured in initial minutes of the game after being brought down by the opposition defender Sergio Ramos. Reactions across the globe over this incident were mixed. Some accused Ramos of intentionally bringing down the Liverpool forward and claimed it to be a filthy strategy of him to hand Liverpool a major blow ahead.
While some were of the opinion that the injury was purely accidental, the challenge made on Salah by Ramos was considered a clear ball tackle with no intention of injuring the Egyptian, claiming the premier league golden boot winner to lock his hands first with the Spanish Captain.
Following the incident, another heartbreaking injury ended Daniel Carvajal’s dream of playing full ninety minutes and possibly keeping him out of action for the World Cup Russia 2018 ahead. He was injured in the 2016 Champions League final and went on to miss Euro 2016.
However, the first goal of the game came through a blunder from Lauris Karius. The Liverpool goalkeeper tried to throw the ball to his teammate failing to realize the possible damage Benzema could do, Benzema being Benzema just had to bring his foot in his way and the ball as a result of deflection went back into the net resulting in a bizarre goal for 12 time (then) champions league winners. A one nil lead didn’t last long for the whites as the reds equalized sooner with Sadio Mane on the score sheet.
It was the 61st minute that turned out to be the crucial turning point for the reigning champions!. Exhausted Isco getting his job effectively done makes his way for energetic, enthusiastic and ever passionate Welshman to step on the field. It can be said that Zidane used Isco to control the midfield in first 60 minutes and then subbed him off for Gareth Bale after Liverpool players were exhausted enough to make little mistakes and allow Real Madrid to attack more frequently.
Never forget the fullbacks in modern football, especially in Real Madrid side! Marcelo and Carvajal are equally crucial for the game as Kroos and Modric. Carvajal couldn’t continue after suffering from injury, Marcelo kept overlapping on the left wing and finally, his cross was unbelievably converted into a fantastic, superb, astonishing and very significant goal from none other than Gareth Bale. Just three minutes after entering the field, former Spurs winger scored a remarkable bicycle kick to make it 2-1 for Real Madrid.
He didn’t stop here though, another goal followed up to extend the lead, resulting from a powerful shot from him Karius couldn’t keep out. It was Bale’s night, his remarkable brace was the difference between the two sides. He did his job in absolute style, one of the best performances ever in a Champions League final from Gareth Bale won Real Madrid their incredible thirteenth champions league title.
Liverpool played really well, they kept fighting till the end but we have to say it was a deserved victory for Real Madrid, as former Real Madrid and Spain national coach Vincente del Bosque said earlier ” No Liverpool player would make Real Madrid’s team”, he predicted a 4-1 win for Real Madrid.
Two out of three goals were scored due to the costly errors made by Karius, but I would go with the opinion most people are of that he just had a bad night! After Salah and Carvajal’s injury what broke my heart was him apologizing to the fans with tears in his eyes, Gareth Bale did console him after the final whistle. However, this was a night for him to forget but it will continue haunting him for years to come.
Last but not the least, the man behind Liverpool’s journey Jurgen Klopp can be seen in a video made around 6 am when he was spotted with some Liverpool fans singing a few stanzas which expressed the mentality of him and Liverpool supporters claiming that the goal isn’t achieved yet but determination is still high!.
