Real Madrid Overcome Atletico to Win Champions League

Real Madrid Overcome Atletico to Win Champions League

Saturday, May 24, 2014 10:31 pm


Real lift the Champions League trophy [via @ChampionsLeague]

Real Madrid came from a goal down to overcome a resolute Atletico Madrid 4-1 after extra-time in Lisbon to win a record 10th Champions League title with a scoreline that flatters to deceive.

Almost as in the Spanish league title deciding match at Barcelona last weekend, Atletico were dealt an early blow in tonight’s final as striker Diego Costa limped off injured after only eight minutes.

With clear-cut chances scarce, Gareth Bale was presented with an opportunity to put Real ahead on the half hour mark but the Welsh winger shot wide after pouncing on Tiago’s wayward pass.

Atletico players celebrate opening goal [via @ChampionsLeague]

Bale and Real were made to pay for missing that chance just four minutes later as defender Diego Godin reached the ball before an onrushing Iker Casillas and sent a looping header into the Real goal to give Atletico the lead.

The second half saw Real lay siege on Atletico’s goal but Cristiano Ronaldo, Bale and substitute Isco failed to convert any of the numerous chances that came their way.

And with Atletico two minutes away from claiming their first Champions League title, Sergio Ramos struck in the 93rd minute to equalise for Real, spare Casillas’ blushes from the Atletico goal and force the final into extra-time.

Sergio Ramos heads in Real's stoppage time equaliser [via @ChampionsLeague]

The momentum was firmly now on Real’s side as they continued to mount pressure in search of a winner but were unable to find a goal in first half of extra-time.

The goals came for Real in a final 10-minute flurry through Bale in the 110th, substitute Marcelo in the 119th and Ronaldo with a 122nd minute penalty to seal the Champions League title for Real Madrid.

Bale after putting Real ahead [via @ChampionsLeague]

And Ronaldo’s goal was his 17th in this season’s competition, a new record for most goals scored by a player in a single Champions League campaign.

The win for Real Madrid gives manager Carlo Ancelotti a third Champions League title after winning it twice with AC Milan in 2003 and 2007 and makes the Italian only the second manager to win the European Cup three times.

Ancelotti thus ends his first season as Real manager with a double, having guided his side to victory in the Copa Del Rey over Barcelona.


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