7.55 AM Tuesday, 19 March 2024
  • City Fajr Shuruq Duhr Asr Magrib Isha
  • Dubai 05:07 06:20 12:29 15:54 18:33 19:47
19 March 2024

Ronaldo pride as Real crowned European champions again

Published
By Football Correspondent and Agencies

Cristiano Ronaldo could not contain his pride after firing Real Madrid to their 11th Champions League success on Saturday with a decisive, and pre-planned, penalty in a 5-3 shoot-out over Atletico Madrid.

After two scoreless periods of extra time following a 1-1 draw, the city rivals were forced to spot-kicks.

And after Atletico defender Juanfran's penalty came off the post, Ronaldo sparked wild celebrations at Milan's San Siro stadium after stepping up to confidently sweep his effort past Jan Oblak.

With 16 goals in the competition, Ronaldo has finished the top scorer for the second time after his 17-goal haul in 2014.

Although he missed out on matching his previous record, his pride was plain to see.

"An unbelievable night, to win my third Champions League on penalties again, to be the top scorer in the competition again, I'm so proud," said the Portuguese star, who won the trophy with Manchester United in 2008 - when he missed a penalty in the shoot-out - and with Real in 2014 when Atletico crashed to a 4-1 extra-time defeat.

"We work hard during the season to win this amazing trophy, so I'm so proud of my teammates, of the fans, families, of the coach.

"It's my second year I scored more than 15 goals. The person with the season scoring record in this competition is me, with 17 goals (in 2014).

"And this year 16; or 17 with the penalty. What more can I ask for ?"

Two years after reviving Real's bid for a 10th title, Real captain Sergio Ramos bundled home a close-range opener after just 15 minutes only for Yannick Carrasco to force extra time when he came off the bench to level for Atletico 11 minutes from the end.

Real spurned chances to secure the trophy in both periods of extra time, but kept their composure throughout a tense penalty shoot-out that went their way when Juanfran hit the post.

Ronaldo, he appeared to suggest, was never likely to miss.

"To be honest, I was confident I would score, I said to Zidane before the penalties, 'put me the last one because I feel I'm going to score the winning goal, and this is what happened," he said.

"I'm so proud to score the winning goal and to win the Champions League again."

Ronaldo capped the celebrations with the trademark removal of his shirt, revealing a still muscular and toned physique, although after spurning a couple of real chances, the 31-year-old admitted his performance was far from perfect.

"It maybe wasn't the best one, but who played unbelievable tonight? No one. It's tough. It's the end of the season, you don't have power in your legs that you have at the beginning of the season."

Zidane becomes just the seventh footballer to win the trophy as coach and player. In 2002, the Frenchman's stunning volley was the match-winner in a 2-1 defeat of Bayer Leverkusen in Glasgow.

"I'm so proud to be part of this great club. It's the club of my life, the one that made me who I am," said Zidane.

Ronaldo, meanwhile, says there's plenty more to come.

"I'm always there, in the top level. I still feel good, I still feel fresh, not tonight though!" he said.

"I showed the team that I'm there. For the good moments and the bad. This is what makes me feel proud."

PENALTY

Cristiano Ronaldo scored the winning penalty in a shootout to give Real Madrid victory over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League final which finished 1-1 after extra time on Saturday.

Ronaldo sent Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak the wrong way from the penalty spot, sealing a 5-3 shootout win, then stripped off his shirt to celebrate with Madrid fans behind the goal.

Ronaldo's spot-kick was decisive after Atletico defender Juanfran struck the post with his team's fourth kick.

Real Madrid's record-extending 11th European title also denied its city rival the most coveted trophy in club soccer for the second time in three years.
 
Atletico was left with bitter memories of its third loss in a European Cup or Champions League final.

Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane became just the seventh man to both coach and play for European champion teams.

Just like the 2014 final, a Madrid derby finished 1-1 after 90 minutes. This time, it was Real Madrid instead of Atletico in the role of long-time leader giving up a late equalizer.

Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos, who struck in stoppage time two years ago, showed a forward's hunger to score in the 15th by forcing the ball past Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak from close range.

Atletico substitute Yannick Carrasco showed the same desire to level in the 79th, outmuscling Lucas Vazquez to shoot Juanfran's pass across goal high into the net.

Atletico missed a penalty kick in the 48th, given for Pepe's clumsy tackle through Fernando Torres.

Antoine Griezmann's kick struck the cross bar, repeating his failure to beat goalkeeper Keylor Navas from the spot in a league match this season. The France forward scored in the shootout.

Atletico raised its game after Griezmann's miss but the clearest shooting chance for defender Stefan Savic also failed to force a save from Navas.

Ramos showed how a defender, tough and often cynical, should finish. As noted for his red cards as goals, he has now scored in two Champions League finals to stand with Real Madrid stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Raul in the competition's history book.

Atletico's defence had fair warning of Real Madrid's threat, and its own weakness on the night, from free kicks as early as the sixth minute.

Again, Bale was fouled deep in Atletico territory, then fired a dipping cross. Attackers again got in front of defenders and both Karim Benzema and Casemiro seemed to deflect the ball toward Oblak staying on his goal-line. This time, the Slovenia goalkeeper blocked with his left leg.

When Madrid did score nine minutes later, Benzema was again in space but failed to connect on Bale's flick before Ramos pounced.

Benzema could have likely sealed the win in the 70th when sent clear on goal but Oblak blocked the Frenchman's shot with his chest.

Atletico was soon level when Carrasco exploited substitute Vazquez, a midfielder who had just come on for Benzema.

Full-Time

Real Madrid 1 (Ramos 15") Atletico 1 (Carrasco 79")

Real Madrid win 5-3 on penalties
 
Real 5  (Lucas, Marcelo, Bale, Ramos, Ronaldo) Atletico 3 (Griezmann, Gabi, Saul, Juanfran hits post)

Real 4 (Lucas, Marcelo, Bale, Ramos) Atletico 3 (Griezmann, Gabi, Saul, Juanfran hits post)

Real 4 (Lucas, Marcelo, Bale, Ramos) Atletico 3 (Griezmann, Gabi, Saul)

Real 3 (Lucas, Marcelo Bale) Atletico 3 (Griezmann, Gabi, Saul)

Real 3 (Lucas, Marcelo, Bale) Atletico 2 (Griezmann, Gabi)

Real 2 (Lucas, Marcelo) Atletico 2 (Griezmann, Gabi)

Real 2 (Lucas, Marcelo) Atletico 1 Griezmann)

Real 1 (Lucas) Atletico 1 Griezmann)

Real 1 (Lucas) Atletico 0

Full-Time

Real Madrid 1 (Ramos 15") Atletico 1 (Carrasco 79")

120" Two minutes added.

119" Cross from Marcelo but Danilo is slow is making contact.

We are left with a few more minutes for the match to go into penalties.

113" Koke is down with cramp. He's replaced by Thomas Partey.

110" YELLOW! Pepe gets booked for a lunging tackle on Gabi.

107" Filipe Luis is limping off. He is replaced by Lucas Hernandez.

105"  Modric sets up Casemiro and the Brazilian lets fly a shot only to see it sail over the crosspieee.

Extra-Time (first half)

Real Madrid 1 (Ramos 15") Atletico 1 (Carrasco 79")

104" Now Griezmann tries a bicyle kick from a corner but its way above.

101" Ronaldo and Bale find the Atletico defenders hard to break down -- Bale trying a bicycle kick only to land on his backside.

100" Atletico are dictating play here. They've earned a couple of corner but have yet to find the net from them.

98" Great touch by Torres as he dashes ahead in danger only for Danilo to make a timely challenge.

94" Ronaldo's header off a corner strikes a defender and the ball loops into the gloves of Oblak. Ronaldo is annoyed with himself. It was probably his best chance so far.

92" YELLOW! Danilo booked for hauling down Carrasco.

For the second time in three years, the Champions League final between Real and Atletico has gone to extra time.

FULL-TIME

Real Madrid 1 (Ramos 15") Atletico 1 (Carrasco 79")

92" YELLOW! Ramos and Gabi booked.

90" Three minutes added.

88" Ronaldo loks out of sorts, losing possession of the ball very easily after trying his antics. 

86" We are just four minutes away from extra-time.

Real Madrid 1 (Ramos 15") Atletico 1 (Carrasco 79")

79" GOAL! Angel Carrasco makes Real pay the price for missing two chances when the Belgian caught the Real defence napping to tap home a Juanfran cross.

77" Ronaldo shows haste while trying to take a shot on the run and shoots straight into Oblak. Then Bale has a good chance after deceiving Oblak but his right footer is weak and a defender clears.

76" Our of form Benzema makes way for Lucas Vazquez.

74" Pepe fakes a light tap from Filipe Luis. He should have been booked for it but ref Clattenburg just hands him a warning.

72" Kroos is replaced by Isco.

70" Oblak makes a superb save from close against Benzema after the Frencman shoots straight into him although Ronaldo was waiting in the open. 

69" Ronaldo is slowly coming into the match with another sharp run but Savic and Godin block him.

67" Ronaldo earns a free-kick 20 yards out and Bale goes for it but a defender heads it over for a corner which Real have wasted. 

65" Atletico have 25 minutes to make a comeback.

61" YELLOW! Torres goes into the referee's book after catching Ramos from behind.

60" Saul has a great chance to equalise but his wonder strike from the edge of the box is just wide.

59" Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro wants a penalty after he goes down following a clash with Juanfran. But referee Mark Clattenburg gives the decision to Atletico.

56" Stefan Savic misses a sitter after Godin and Griezmann fail to do much with the ball which travels to the defender who is in the box but he shoots it wide.

54" Bale slips out and comes up with a powerful left footer which goes wide.

51" Carvahal is replaced after he shows some signs of discomfort. Danilo comes in.

46" YELLOW! Priot to the penalty Navas was booked for trying to delay the proceedings. It seemed to have paid off.

46" PENALTY! Atletico get a penalty as Torres is brought down by Pepe but to Atletico's horror Griezmann hits the underside of the crossbar. Great opportunity to level scores has gone abegging.

Atletico make one change for the second half bringing in Yannick Carrasco for Augusto Fernandez.

HALF-TIME

Real Madrid 1 (Ramos 15") Atletico 0

The final has failed to live up to the hype in the first half. Even Sergio Ramos' goal was more of a fluke one would say after it was a scramble in the box with the Spanish defender just managing to get his foot to it to beat a hapless Jan Oblak in the Atletico goal.
Ronaldo, Benzema (for Real) and Fernando Torres and Saul Niguez for Atletico are yet to make their presence felt. Antoine Griezmann has been working tirelessly but his first time misdirected shots are more a waste.

42" Griezmann is trying ever opportunity at goal from far but his shots either lack the power or the direction.

40" With five minutes to go for the half-time whistle, Real seem to have gone on the defensive.

39" Griezmann tries another long range but it's a futile shot. Something's lacking upfront for Atletico.

35" Atletico get their first real sight at the Real goal with Griezmann firing a left-footer but Navas dives and parries it away. However it wouldn't have counted as Griezmann was off side. Late call though.

33" Griezmann runs out of ideas.With Torres and Saul lurking and waiting for a pass, the Frenchman striker preferred to take a weak shot into the gloves of Navas.

31" Good save by Oblak after Real's Casemiro made a 35 yard run and passed to Benzema on the right. The Frenchman hoodwinked his marker and crossed but the Slovenian goalkeeper stretched to palm it away.

29" Good run and ball control by Griezmann but Ramos is quick to block him before he can cross it.

26" Real are dominating. Bale and Benzema work their way on the left. Benzema finds Carvajal who in turn finds Ronaldo on the right flank but the Portuguese star's chip shot lands in the safe hands of Oblak.

23" Juanfran goes for a 25 yard volley, it's totally misdirected.

22" Good ball play by Real with Bale showing some superb footwork.

19" Koke knocks down Bale to concede a free-kick.

Atleti look a little susceptible to free-kicks. They escaped the first one but could not prevent Ramos from becoming the first defender to score in two Champions League finals.

Real Madrid 1 (Ramos 15") Atletico 0

15" GOAL! Ramos taps home from a Kroos free-kick but Bale should take the credit for flicking it with his over the Atleti defenders. 

10" YELLOW! Daniel Carvajal is booked for a reckless sliding tackle on Griezmann..

9" Kroos tries a long range, it deflects off Savic for a corner. Early pressure from Real here.

5" Oblak brings off a good save from a Gareth Bale free-kick. It looked like Casemiro got a foot to it in the box but Oblak managed to keep it away after sticking his left foot out.

3" Koke has the first shot at goal but it was more of a loosener.

1" Early verbal warning from referee Mark Clattenburg to Koke for raising his boot against Casemiro.

We are done with the Champions League anthem and both teams are seen wishing one another.

Alicia Keys is belting out the popular song "This girl is on fire" during the opening ceremony. We are 10 minutes away from kick-off.

We are a few minutes away from kick-off. Ronaldo is seen warming up as the stadio San Siro in Milan reverberates in anticipation of a fitting finale.

TEAM NEWS
Well, the news from the Real Madrid camp is out. They are at full strength. Ronaldo, Benzema are all in so one can look forward to a great final.

Atletico too are going in with an unchanged squad from the final match of the La Liga season. Fernando Torres and Antoine Griezmann will start up front.

TEAMS
Real Madrid:
Navas, Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo, Kroos, Casemiro, Modric, Bale, Ronaldo, Benzema.Subs: Casilla, Nacho, Rodriguez, Vazquez, Jese, Isco, Danilo

Atletico Madrid: Oblak, Luis, Godin, Savic, Juanfran, Gabi, Fernandez, Koke, Saul, Torres, Griezmann. Subs: Moya, Tiago, Correa, Hernandez, Carrasco, Partey, Gimenez.

STAT ATTACK
Real Madrid have kept a clean sheet in 6 of their last 7 matches (UEFA Champions League)
Real Madrid are undefeated in 12 of their last 13 matches (UEFA Champions League)
Ronaldo is Real's top scorer with 16 goals
Zinedine Zidane, who scored Real's winner in the 2002 final, could become the seventh man to win the Cup as both player and coach

Atletico are undefeated in 11 of their last 12 matches against Real Madrid in all competition
Diego Simeone could become only the third non-European coach to win the Champions League -- the first two were also Argentinians
Antoine Giiezmann is Atletico's top scorer with 7 goals

PROBABLE FORMATIONS
Real Madrid: 4-3-3

Atletico: 4-4-2