Record makers, Real Madrid are the winners of the 2021/22 UEFA Champions League after a goal victory over Liverpool in Paris.
Vinicius Junior scored in the second half as Real Madrid beat Liverpool to claim their 14th European Cup at the Stade de France. The Spanish giants claimed their fifth Champions League trophy in nine seasons. Earlier, the game was evenly poised at 0-0 by the halftime with Liverpool hitting the post and enjoying the possession in the first 45 minutes. There was a 36-minute delay to the kick-off as police tried to hold off people trying to force their way into the stadium. While both teams got off to a cautious start, Sadio Mane came even closer in the 21st minute with a low shot that Madrid goalkeeper Courtois managed to tip onto the post. Liverpool continued with their high-pressing game with Mohamed Salah testing the Spanish goalkeeper twice in search of a lead. Madrid almost scored before the break but Karim Benzema’s effort was ruled offside after a lengthy VAR review. The French striker did rifle the ball home in the 43rd minute.
Thibaut Courtois was the star for Madrid as Liverpool couldn’t find a way past the Spanish giants. He made nine saves to keep Madrid in the game.
It was a heartbreaking result for the Reds, who didn’t manage to claim their third trophy of the season. Vinícius Junior’s goal made the difference. The Brazilian applied a close-range finish in the 59th minute to give Madrid a 1-0 lead, which stayed until the end.
The Los Blancos won it in 2018 after beating same opponent by a 3-1 scoreline.
While Madrid completed a Champions League-La Liga double, Liverpool finished a season that promised so much — a week ago, it was in contention for an unprecedented quadruple of major trophies — with the two domestic cups in England.
