Real Madrid are Kings of Europe once again, with Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo helping Los Blancos to come from behind against a desperately unlucky Atletico Madrid, and achieve their tenth Champions League triumph, La Decima, in a fully packed Estádio da Luz.
Atletico Madrid, who had already pipped Real to the 2013/14 La Liga title last weekend, took the lead in the first half through Uruguayan defender Diego Godin, and Diego Simeone’s side looked set to claim their first ever European Cup, but Sergio Ramos’s injury time header dragged Real back into contention, with Carlo Ancelotti’s side doing the damage in extra-time.
Gareth Bale, who had squandered a number of good chances for Real during the 90, headed Real in front on minute 109, the Welshman steering in a header after Angel di Maria’s initial effort was saved by the once again impressive Thibaut Courtois.
Real were then in the ascendancy, and further goals from Marcelo and the irrepressible Cristiano Ronaldo finally killed off Ateltico, with Los Blancos finally getting their hands on their tenth triumph in club football’s premier competition.
It was cruel on Atletico, who were formidable at the back throughout, with left-back Filipe Luis and the aforementioned Godin particularly impressive, but the sheer determination of the Real attack, typified by the relentless running from Angel di Maria, saw Ancelotti’s side through.
The match was peppered with a number of unsavoury incidents, particularly in the first half, with the two rivals looking stamp their authority on the other. This was often taken a step too far, with Fabio Coentrao, Gabi and even Simeone on the touchline overstepping the mark a number of times.
But the match will be remembered for the quality of football, with extra-time a superb advertisement for the sport. Real will now party into the night, with so many new heroes to be remembered for all time, with a tenth trophy finally heading back to Madrid.
la decima pic.twitter.com/wIo9dOQ8fs
— Gareth Bale (@GarethBale11) May 24, 2014
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