Real Madrid have secured a record 11th Champions League crown, winning 5-3 on penalties against cross-town rivals Atletico Madrid at the San Siro in Milan.
The match ended 1-1 after Sergio Ramos’s goal was cancelled out by Yannick Carrasco as nothing could separate the Spanish duo over 120 minutes.
It was Real Madrid’s second title in three seasons courtesy of Cristiano Ronaldo calmly converting the deciding penalty and consign Atletico to a third European Cup Final defeat.
Atletico had Jan Oblak to thank early after producing a reflex save to deny Casemiro’s volley from close range following Gareth Bale’s dipping free-kick.
But Oblak’s goal would soon be breached, after Ramos was quickest to react to Bale’s flicked on header from Toni Kroos’ set piece, despite appearing to be in an offside position. The 30-year-old became the first defender to score in two Champions League finals.
Diego Simeone’s decision to bring on Carrasco at half-time in the hope of grabbing a strangle hold on proceedings was decisive as his goal later ensured extra time.
A clumsy challenge on Fernando Torres by Pepe saw Los Rojiblancos awarded a spot-kick within a minute of the restart.
However, Griezmann would miss the ensuing penalty with his effort smashing the crossbar and bouncing out, to the relief of Zidane’s men.
Atletico continued to dominate the second-half, in the unusual situation of having to take the initiative, rather than absorb pressure and exploit on the counter-attack.
Real had a succession of chances to increase their advantage first with Ronaldo and then with Bale and they would rue those missed opportunities.
Immediately after those chances, Carrasco would prove an inspired substitution netting the equaliser. Juanfran’s brilliant volleyed cross was tapped home by the Belgian to deservedly return parity and force another 30 minutes.
Extra time saw no genuine openings as the players from both sides evidently began to fatigue and cramp.
Zidane joins elite company
Giovanni Trapattoni, Frank Rijkaard, Carlo Ancelotti, Josep Guardiola, Johan Cruyff, Miguel Munoz and now Zinedine Zidane. The Frenchman became just the seventh person to win the famous trophy as both a player and a manager. More remarkably, Zidane has only been at the helm of Los Blancos since January, in what is his first senior managerial role to boot. Not even in his wildest dreams would he have imagined to have made such a massive impact on the squad in such a short space of time and lift the most prestigious club accolade.
However, following the tumultuous period under Rafa Benitez, Zidane has restored a sense of unity around the club with the players buying into his philosophy. On the night, he outsmarted his opposite number Diego Simeone during the first stanza, overloading the midfield with Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Casemiro dictating terms in the centre of the park. Though his naivety did come to the fore during the second-half, over the timing of some of the personnel substitutions. Had Madrid lost, questions would have been raised over his judgement in utilising all three substitutes relatively early. Replacing Isco for Kroos and Lucas Vazquez for Karim Benzema when Los Blancos were 1-0 up, backfired to some extent. And starting what seemed to be an injured Ronaldo, who was less than his usual mobile self would have compounded the Madrid legend.
Atletico Madrid gallant but will feel aggrieved
Not only was it a second final defeat in the three years it was again against their affluent rivals. In 2014, Los Colchoneros suffered a 4-1 loss after extra time in Lisbon and went the distance in Milan, but fell at the ultimate hurdle – yielding on penalties. In the process they boast the unenviable feat of losing their first three European finals. While tactically Simeone had no answers for Zidane in the first-half, Ramos’ strike was offside.
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Nevertheless, he altered his system at the break and was vindicated by the impressive performance of Carrasco. The substitute was a constant threat on the wing and netted the equaliser which was no more, no less than they merited. Simeone proved what an astute manager he is, regardless of losing the clash as his side were impermeable in defence. Diego Godin and Stefan Savic threw their body in front of every strike, illustrating desperation and steadfastness associated with Simeone’s men. They were arguably the superior side over the 120 minutes, especially with fitness concerns blighting Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale.
Was this the easiest Champions League Real have won?
It is a belief regarded by many, given Madrid were out of the conversation as favourites for the trophy known as ‘Big Ears’ under Benitez. Of course any success does not come without hard work and no Champions League honour should be taken for granted. But they certainly had a considerably easier passage to the final than their counterparts. They disposed Roma rather comfortably in the round of 16, overturning a first-leg 2-0 deficit versus Wolfsburg and won 1-0 on aggregate to Manchester City.
Meanwhile, Atletico overcame PSV Eindhoven on penalties, before emphatic aggregate triumphs over favourites Barcelona and Bayern Munich to reach Milan. For the neutral the majority were barracking for the perceived underdog and it would have been fitting to see Simeone and his chargers at last lift the coveted silverware. This was their year and unfortunately they failed.
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