Real Madrid won the Champions League final against Liverpool FC with 1:0. In the entertaining match, one player in particular made the difference, along with Vinicius Junior: Thibaut Courtois.
Jürgen Klopp on Liverpool’s side relied on the recently injured Fabinho and Thiago. The latter had to take a break during the warm-up, but was then able to play. The trio of Salah, Mané and Luis Diaz started up front. In defence, lucky charm Konaté, who had not lost any of his 28 competitive games for LFC, was preferred to Matip.
At Real, Alaba reported fit in time after a month out with injury. With Fede Valverde replacing Rodrygo, Carlo Ancelotti opted for the more defensive starting line-up, with Benzema and Vinicius Junior again expected to do the job up front.
Whistle delayed – Courtois and post save
After chaotic conditions at the entrance to the Stade de France in Paris St. Denis, referee Clement Turpin did not blow the whistle for the final of the royal class until after a 37-minute delay.
On the pitch, too, a little patience was needed at first – then Liverpool got going. Once Thiago failed to beat Courtois (16th), twice Salah found his master in the goalkeeper of Real (16th, 18th), who only a little later directed a strong shot of Mané to the post (21st). The energetic Reds failed to take a deserved lead, but Vinicius Junior did not pose any problems for compatriot Alisson (25th).
Benzema’s goal doesn’t count
Afterwards, LFC continued to dominate the game in the duel of the “comeback kings against the mentality monsters”, as Klopp had called it before kick-off, but took their foot off the gas a little. This allowed Real to visibly feel their way into the game. And suddenly the ball was in the net of the English vice-champion: Benzema had pushed in after a failed clearance (43rd). However, the flag went up and the offside decision was upheld even after the VAR check, so the game went into the dressing rooms goalless.
After Real lead: Courtois invincible
After the restart, the game looked more balanced. Liverpool continued to attack, but could not find a solution against a venomous Real – who at the same time were insanely efficient. Vinicius Junior gilded a quick attack after a pass from Fede Valverde to take the lead (59th). Liverpool, spurred on by Salah, started to run frantically. But once again the Egyptian could not overcome the outstanding Courtois from second row and close range (64th, 69th).
In the final phase, Liverpool continued to press for an equaliser and repeatedly found the net. But as often as not a Real player stood in between – and when not, the almost unbeatable Courtois was on the spot, brilliantly saved several top-class chances and brought the Reds to despair. As the Spanish champions were also unable to profitably exploit their counterattacks, the final score remained 1:0.
After a four-year break, Real Madrid win the biggest trophy in European club football again and for the 14th time overall – still the only record. Liverpool are once again beaten by the royals, as they were in 2018, and end the season with “only” two titles.
