The UEFA Champions League staged the first final between teams from the same city on Saturday. Cristiano Ronaldo led his Real Madrid against rivals Atletico Madrid at the Stadium of Light in Lisbon. Real, looking to clinch a record tenth trophy in the elite competition of Europe, while Atletico would ride the momentum of winning the Spanish La Liga just a week ago.
Ronaldo could enjoy some home advantage. The Portuguese was back to Lisbon, where he ever played before moving to Manchester United and rising to a big star.
Atletico looked set to complete a trophy double, but suffered a huge blow when having their top striker Diego Costa replaced due to injury. It could be good news for Real who got rid of the biggest threat of their opponents. Adrian Lopez would be the stand-in.
Real were showing great power up front. Gareth Bale cuts into the box, but his effort is wide off the target. The Welshman looked unstoppable but was affected by the Atletico defenders while unleashing the shot.
Real paid the price of wasting such a precious chance and fell behind in the 36th. Iker Casillas comes rushing out of his goal but is left stranded in no man’s land. Diego Godin beats him for a header. Atletico took control in the final. Casillas rushed back but the ball had already crossed the line. Real were 1-0 behind at half-time.
Real then applied the pressure after the break. Bale looks desperate to salvage the situation. But the most expensive player of the world failed to turn chances into goals. Xavi Alonso, missing out due to injury, looked anxious on the stands.
It wasn’t until the stoppage time when Real found the equalizer. Sergio Ramos comes to the rescue for header. It’s 1-all. Ranos saves his team in almost the last chance of the game. Costa sees Atletico let the title slip away. The match is back on level and will see extra time coming.
The equalizer proved to be the turning point of the showpiece and larged boosted the morale of Real. In the 110th minute, Angel Di Maria’s low shot is denied by the keeper, but the ball falls to Bale. The Real winger heads in the empty net. It was 2-1.
Juanfran has to stay on the pitch with a slight injury without substitute chances. Atletico’s players went short of energy. Marcelo fires home and almost seals the victory for Real. It was 3-1.
Ronaldo completes the wonder night for his team with a penalty. Ronaldo’s goal was his 17th of the campaign, an all-time record for the competition. Real finally beat Atletico 4-1 for their tenth European title. Real players’ celebration would continue into the press conference.
"I am very happy. From the very first day I went to the trophy room in the Bernabeu I said to the president ’There is one missing here. Let’s try to get it this year.’ And we did it. So I think to get a title like that one you need to work altogether. So thank you very much all the players and the club, who made a fantastic effort," said Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid coach.
"It is not sadness, but bitterness, because we didn’t make the target that a lot of people were waiting for. Yes, it isn’t sadness, I do feel bitter. Bitterness because I didn’t win like I wished. But I feel calm, I’ll get over it. Once you have given your all, there’s another game. In life you have everything then nothing. It is a life lesson. Life is like soccer. One day you have everything the next nothing. You just have to keep going," said Diego Simeone, Atletico Madrid coach.