Real Madrid won their 10th European Cup in emphatic fashion after a superb 4-1 win against Atletico Madrid in Lisbon this evening.
Goals from Sergio Ramos, Gareth Bale, Marcelo and Cristiano Ronaldo followed a Diego Godin opener, as Madrid came from behind to win their title.
Team news wise, Cristiano Ronaldo was declared fit to start, as well as Gareth Bale also made a full recovery heading into the game, Xabi Alonso was suspended for the Lisbon show-piece, therefore Luka Modric came in for the Spanish international.
Atletico went into the game will a full strength team, with Diego Costa also declared fit for the game, despite having suffered an injury a few days before.
The game started with both sides looking to stake a claim early on in the sun-kissed Lisbon back drop, with Atletico looking to hit Real on the counter.
With both sides looking to take a strong hold in the game, Atletico were forced into a substitution after nine minutes, as Diego Costa limped off, and he would be replaced by David Villa.
Ronaldo went close after 15 minutes, as he saw his effort go over Courtois’ crossbar.
Real had a lot of the ball it seemed, with Bale dragging an effort wide of the post after 18 minutes or so, from the edge of the area.
Sergio Ramos had a nervy moment after 26 minutes, as he headed an Atletico corner over his own bar, as Simeone’s side were coming into the game more.
Atletico were tight at the back, forcing Madrid into efforts along way from goal, as the half hour ticked over.
After 32 minutes, Gareth Bale missed a glorious chance for Ancelotti’s side.
The Welsh winger intercepted Tiago’s dreadful pass, before sprinting towards goal, Bale beat two defender’s before stabbing an effort just wide of Courtois far post.
Two minutes later, Atletico had the lead.
Sergio Ramos headed away a corner, which was pumped back into the box, before being flicked towards goal by defender Godin, with Casillas scampering back towards the goal, the keeperfailed to keep out the looping header out, and Atletico had the lead.
Real huffed and puffed before the break, however they couldn’t break Atletico down.
The second half started the way it ended, with Real having chances at will, with Luka Modric, Isco, and Bale all dragging shots wide with the hour mark approaching.
Defender Varane then had to make a crucial interception from Gabi’s teasing cross.
Bale was then denied by Courtios, with the keeper standing tall to block the winger’s effort, with 65 minutes on the clock.
David Villa went close with twenty to play, however, his looping header was well saved by Casillas.
With 10 to play, Bale raced past Godin, and lashed his left footed effort wide of the post, in what was turning out to be a tough night for the former Tottenham man.
Real were still pressing, and found their goal that they had craved in the fourth minute of injury time at the end of the 90 minutes.
Luka Modric whipped in an out swinging corner, which was met by a sweat header by Ramos, who powered a header past Courtois to send the game to extra time.
And it was during extra time that Real really stepped things up.
Both sides looked tired during the first half of it, with Casillas keeping out Godin’s effort with 103 minutes played.
With 110 minutes played, Real had their second, thanks to Gareth Bale.
Di Maria skipped past Juanfran and Miranda, before seeing his shot superbly saved by Courtois, with the re-bound which was met by the head of Gareth Bale, who netted home into an open goal, sparking wild celebrations.
Atletico pressed for an equaliser though they could not find one, and after 118 minutes, Marcelo found a third.
The Brazilian fullback skipped past his man, before drilling a low driven effort into the far corner past the desparing dive of Courtois to wrap up the European Cup title.
And Real had a fourth two minutes later after Ronaldo’s penalty.
He was tripped by Miranda, in what was a cruel end to Atletico’s evening, with Ronaldo stepping up and placed his penalty the opposite side of the diving Courtois, before whipping off his shirt in celebration.
So that’s that, it was left to captain Casillas and Ronaldo to lift the trophy on an emotional evening.
By Ben Reardon
@BenReardon1
