Habeeb Akinfegbe
Real Madrid have been crowned the champions of Europe for the 11th time in history. 90 minutes was not enough to separate both sides not even the 30 minutes extra time that was added. Real Madrid later defeated Atletico Madrid 5-3 on penalties in the 2016
UEFA Champions League final, thus booking their place at the 2016 FIFA
Club World Cup Japan in December.
In Milan’s San Siro where the atmosphere was electric, Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos opened the scoring on 15 minutes, before half-time substitute Yannick Carrasco grabbed the leveller for Atleti on 79 minutes, bringing the game to extra time.
After a stalemate, the game went to a shoot-out where Cristiano Ronaldo netted the winner, seeing Los Merengues crowned kings of Europe for a record 11th time.
The second all-Madrid final in three years saw Atletico’s Koke enjoy the first opportunity on five minutes but goalkeeper Keylor Navas was able to hold onto his effort with ease. Moments later at the other end, Jan Oblak pulled off a stunning save to deny Casemiro from close range, who had latched onto the end of Gareth Bale’s free-kick.
Los Merengues took the lead on the 15-minute mark when a Toni Kroos free-kick was flicked on cleverly by Bale’s head into the direction of skipper Ramos, who turned the ball past Oblak. The 2014 winners continued to look confident going forward, but Atleti were not without their chances as Antoine Griezmann tried to catch Navas off-guard with a couple of long range efforts, but the shot-stopper was quick to react each time.
There was drama shortly after the break when Los Rojiblancos were awarded a penalty after Fernando Torres was brought down by Pepe inside the area. France international Griezmann stepped up to take the spot-kick, but he was unable to grab his side an equaliser, with his effort smashing the crossbar.
Atleti continued to press for a leveller, going close on 54 minutes when Stefan Savic hit the side-netting, while Saul Niguez fired narrowly wide shortly before the hour mark. At the other end, Karim Benzema nearly doubled Real's advantage after charging into the box on 70 minutes, but Slovenian shot-stopper Oblak pulled off another strong save.
Cristiano Ronaldo tested Oblak on 78 minutes and Savic made
a last-ditch clearance to deny Bale soon after, but just as it looked
like Los Merengues were piling on the pressure, substitute
Carrasco grabbed the equaliser for Atletico, turning home Juanfran's
cross and becoming the first Belgian to score in a Champions League
final.
In extra time, Casemiro tried his luck from way out, while Oblak again proved reliable for his team by holding onto Ronaldo's 95th-minute header. Five minutes after, Bale, in a dangerous position, launched an effort towards goal, only to be denied by an heroic block from Diego Godin. A tense battle ensued in extra time and while Lucas Vazquez went close late on, seeing his effort blocked by Lucas Hernandez, the tie went to penalties.
After all spot-kicks were converted in the shoot-out with the score poised at 4-3, Atletico's Juanfran whose cross provided the equaliser saw his penalty hit the post - and afterwards, Ronaldo made no mistake from the spot, sending the ball past Oblak and sealing the trophy for Zinedine Zidane's side. Zinedine Zidane now ranks among the likes of Trapattoni, Carlo Ancelloti, Frank Rijkaard and Pep Guardiola who have won the UEFA Champions League as players and coaches.
Diego Simeone admits he is considering his future at Atletico Madrid
following their defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League final.
Simeone has defied expectations to lead Atletico to two Champions League finals in three seasons but admits seeing them fall short on both occasions to Real after “giving everything” is difficult to take.
“It’s a moment for me to think about things." "When you give everything and it’s not enough it’s hard. “These have been three wonderful years but I am not happy tonight. I do not know which hurts more, this final or the last one." Simeone expressed after the defeat to Real Madrid.
FOLLOW US
Twitter: @bizarre_comms
Facebook: Bizarre Communications
Email: bizarrecommunications@gmail.com
Real Madrid have been crowned the champions of Europe for the 11th time in history. 90 minutes was not enough to separate both sides not even the 30 minutes extra time that was added. Real Madrid later defeated Atletico Madrid 5-3 on penalties in the 2016
UEFA Champions League final, thus booking their place at the 2016 FIFA
Club World Cup Japan in December.In Milan’s San Siro where the atmosphere was electric, Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos opened the scoring on 15 minutes, before half-time substitute Yannick Carrasco grabbed the leveller for Atleti on 79 minutes, bringing the game to extra time.
After a stalemate, the game went to a shoot-out where Cristiano Ronaldo netted the winner, seeing Los Merengues crowned kings of Europe for a record 11th time.
The second all-Madrid final in three years saw Atletico’s Koke enjoy the first opportunity on five minutes but goalkeeper Keylor Navas was able to hold onto his effort with ease. Moments later at the other end, Jan Oblak pulled off a stunning save to deny Casemiro from close range, who had latched onto the end of Gareth Bale’s free-kick.
Los Merengues took the lead on the 15-minute mark when a Toni Kroos free-kick was flicked on cleverly by Bale’s head into the direction of skipper Ramos, who turned the ball past Oblak. The 2014 winners continued to look confident going forward, but Atleti were not without their chances as Antoine Griezmann tried to catch Navas off-guard with a couple of long range efforts, but the shot-stopper was quick to react each time.
There was drama shortly after the break when Los Rojiblancos were awarded a penalty after Fernando Torres was brought down by Pepe inside the area. France international Griezmann stepped up to take the spot-kick, but he was unable to grab his side an equaliser, with his effort smashing the crossbar.
Atleti continued to press for a leveller, going close on 54 minutes when Stefan Savic hit the side-netting, while Saul Niguez fired narrowly wide shortly before the hour mark. At the other end, Karim Benzema nearly doubled Real's advantage after charging into the box on 70 minutes, but Slovenian shot-stopper Oblak pulled off another strong save.
Cristiano Ronaldo tested Oblak on 78 minutes and Savic made
a last-ditch clearance to deny Bale soon after, but just as it looked
like Los Merengues were piling on the pressure, substitute
Carrasco grabbed the equaliser for Atletico, turning home Juanfran's
cross and becoming the first Belgian to score in a Champions League
final. In extra time, Casemiro tried his luck from way out, while Oblak again proved reliable for his team by holding onto Ronaldo's 95th-minute header. Five minutes after, Bale, in a dangerous position, launched an effort towards goal, only to be denied by an heroic block from Diego Godin. A tense battle ensued in extra time and while Lucas Vazquez went close late on, seeing his effort blocked by Lucas Hernandez, the tie went to penalties.
After all spot-kicks were converted in the shoot-out with the score poised at 4-3, Atletico's Juanfran whose cross provided the equaliser saw his penalty hit the post - and afterwards, Ronaldo made no mistake from the spot, sending the ball past Oblak and sealing the trophy for Zinedine Zidane's side. Zinedine Zidane now ranks among the likes of Trapattoni, Carlo Ancelloti, Frank Rijkaard and Pep Guardiola who have won the UEFA Champions League as players and coaches.
Simeone has defied expectations to lead Atletico to two Champions League finals in three seasons but admits seeing them fall short on both occasions to Real after “giving everything” is difficult to take.
“It’s a moment for me to think about things." "When you give everything and it’s not enough it’s hard. “These have been three wonderful years but I am not happy tonight. I do not know which hurts more, this final or the last one." Simeone expressed after the defeat to Real Madrid.
FOLLOW US
Twitter: @bizarre_comms
Facebook: Bizarre Communications
Email: bizarrecommunications@gmail.com
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