Champions Real Madrid recover to win 10th European title - 'La Decima'

Real Madrid secured a 10th European Cup when they snatched a stoppage-time equaliser before extra-time goals by Gareth Bale, Marcelo and Cristiano Ronaldo gave them a 4-1 win over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League final on Saturday.

Atletico, who won the Spanish league title a week ago, looked set to complete an amazing double after Diego Godin’s 36th-minute header, helped by a blunder from Real keeper Iker Casillas, put them in control of the first European final between teams from the same city.

Real attacked relentlessly in the second half but had to wait until the third minute of stoppage time for their equaliser when Sergio Ramos headed in powerfully from a corner.
 
Atletico looked a spent force in extra time and Real completed the comeback win when Bale headed them into the lead in the 110th minute before Marcelo slammed in the third and Ronaldo put the icing on the cake by slotting home a penalty.

Ronaldo, the Portugal captain playing in his own capital city, scored the fourth from the penalty spot to clinch an astonishing turnaround and a double of Champions League and King's Cup after Real could only finish third in La Liga.

"Incredible, what can I say? It was our aim from the start of the season," said Real coach Carlo Ancelotti. "It was difficult but I think we deserved it in the end."

Ramos added: "I think we are all heroes, it is a team effort and we can all now celebrate together. We have lived through a lot together and then we had to wait until the final minute to equalise. Now Lisbon is our home."

"It is a reward for all the sacrifice and the fight we have shown over the years."

Atletico took the lead when their city rivals failed to clear a corner and they hooked the ball back into the box.

CASILLAS STRANDED

Casillas, who came rushing out of his goal, was left stranded in no man's land as Godin beat him to the ball and headed towards goal. The keeper rushed back and attempted to scoop the ball out but it had already crossed the line.

It was a notable double for Godin who headed the goal in last week's 1-1 draw at Barcelona that secured Atletico's first league title since 1996.

Real then applied the pressure and it finally paid off when Ramos headed the equaliser to force extra time.

The first period of that ended without another goal, but Real finally took control of the game in the last 15 minutes when Bale headed them in front in the 110th minute before Marcelo fired home the third and Ronaldo scored from the spot.

"It was a sad moment, tragic when they got the 1-1," said Atletico midfielder Gabi. "They had few chances but they did better in extra time. We were very close but they were very strong."

Atletico defender Juanfran added: "We fought to the end but then Sergio caused problems with the goal. We will return. They won so they are the just winners but still we have won the league and got to the final of the Champions League."

Ronaldo's goal was his 17th of the campaign, an all-time record for the competition, and meant Ancelotti became only the second man after Bob Paisley of Liverpool to win three European Cups as a coach after the Italian's triumphs with AC Milan in 2003 and 2007.

FULL TIIME

Real Madrid are kings of Europe after 12 years winning the UEFA Champions League for the 10th time.

What an incredible comeback by Real Madrid to claim their 'La Decima' defeating La Liga champion Atletico 4-1 after extra time.

A howler by Casillas saw a Godin header put Atletico in front at half time before sealing victory with goals from Bale, Marcelo and Ronaldo after Ramos' header took the final into extra-time.

Zinedine Zidane embraces Carlo Ancelotti as Real Madrid celebrate a famous win. Iker Casillas is the third captain in football history to lift the World Cup, the European Cup and the European Championships after Franz Beckenbauer and Didier Deschamps.

Real Madrid's Carlo Ancelotti is only the second manager to win three European Cup/Champions Leagues titles after Liverpool's Bob Paisley.

Real Madrid 1 (Ramos 90+3, Bale 110", Marcelo 118", Ronaldo 120") Atletico Madrid 1 (Godin 36")

The final descends into chaos with Diego Simeone has run onto the pitch and berating at a Real player before being sent off.

120" GOAL! Local boy Ronaldo finally gets on the score sheet slotting home a penalty after being brought down by Godin.

Real Madrid 1 (Ramos 90+3, Bale 110", Marcelo 118", Ronaldo 120") Atletico Madrid 1 (Godin 36")

118" GOAL! Marcelo puts the icing on the cake with a left footed shot.

Real Madrid 1 (Ramos 90+3, Bale 110", Marcelo 118") Atletico Madrid 1 (Godin 36")

114" Casillas concedes another goal after coming out of the box and fails to gather with Tiago firing wide.

110" GOAL! Bales heads into the top corner following a rebound after Courtois parries a shot from Di Maris who made a great run into the left side of the box.

Real Madrid 1 (Ramos 90+3, Bale 110") Atletico Madrid 1 (Godin 36")

108" Modric's shot at goal is deflected by a deflected and gather by the Atletico stopper.

106" Atletico get the second period of extra-time underway.

EXTRA TIME BREAK

Real Madrid 1 (Ramos 90+3) Atletico Madrid 1 (Godin 36")

105+1" Di Maria takes a corner and Modric hits the ball at goal but Gourtois collects.

105" Ronaldo goes down under a challenge of Juanfran who is not booked.

104" Real clear away a corner conceded by Carvajal.

102" Varane heads away a free kick from Atletico./

100" Ronaldo's free kick hits the wall to win a corner which is cleared by Lopez.

99" YELLOW! Gabi is the sixth Atletico player to be booked for tripping Marcelo.

98" Gabi tackles Modric who tries to run into the Atletico box.

97" Real are pinning Atletico in their half.

95" Juanfran is down after a challenge by Morata.

94" Sosa makes a couple of one-twos before his pass into the box is intercepted by Varane.

93" Ronaldo's pass is intercepted and Atletico clear.

91" Real get the first period of extra time underway.

SECOND HALF

Ramos has now scored six goals in his last seven games.

90+5" A grateful Real skipper Casillas kisses Ramos for saving their blushes with just two minutes of regulation time remaining to take the final into extra time.

90+3" GOAL! Ramos heads home the equaliser from a Modric corner in the bottom left.

Real Madrid 1 (Ramos 90+3) Atletico Madrid 1 (Godin 36")

90" Carvajal fouls Villa with Casillas fielding the free kick.

90" Simeone is asking Atletico fans to begin celebrating.

87" Di Maria's free kick is cleared away by Tiago.

86" YELLOW! Koke is booked for kicking the ball away after a free kick is awarded to Rea.

84" Real go agonisingly close again after Marcelo crosses from the left and Carvajal puts the ball back into the centre which is caught by Courtois.

81" Atletico clear a free kick from Modric before Gabi goes down under a challenge from Morata.

79" Morata replaces Benzema.

78" Bale slices another chance with the outside of his left after breaking into the box after shrugging off the last defencer.

75" Ronaldo fires over the bar after a Di Maria free kick.

74" YELLOW! Juanfran is booked for a tackle on Di Maria

73" Bale shoot wide of the near post after a one-two with Modric.

72" YELLOW! Villa is booked for colliding into Casillas.

71" Marcelo crosses again but Bales controls the ball with his arm.

70" Di Maria plays a one-two with Marcelo but Atletico clear.

67" Benzema shoots wide after a mazy run by Modric with Ronaldo flicking back a pass.

66" Garcia makes way for Sosa.

64" Koke wins another corner for Atletico which is cleared.

62" Ronaldo fails to latch onto a superb cross from Ramos with Benzema lurking at the post.

59" Real make a double switch as Marcelo is on for Coentrao and Isco for Khedira.

57" Lopez shoots at goal from 15 yards on the left but Khedira deflects it out.

56" Carvajhal recovers after a great run by Lopez.

55" Ronaldo heads wide from close range.

54" Ronaldo's free kick from 23 metres is punched over by Courtois and from the resultant corner Ronaldo's low shot is deflected away.

52" YELLOW! Miranda is booked after stopping Di Maria in his tracks.

50" Garcia volleys over the bar after Koke crosses from the left.

49" Luis makes a good tackle after Bale tries to run at the Atletico box.

48" Modric wins a free kick and Di Maria's kick is cleared away easily.

47" Atletico are ramping up the pressure.

46" Atletico get the second half under way. There are no changes at the break.

HALF TIME

Real Madrid 0 Atletico Madrid 1 (Godin 36")

45" YELLOW! Khedira is booked for a nasty tackle on Vila.

43" Ramos heads out taken by Gabi on the right.

41" Lopez heads just wide at the near post from a Gabi corner.

36" GOAL! Godin puts Atletico in front after a misjudgement by Casillas following a corner being caught out of his box despite his valiant attempt to flick the header out.

Real Madrid 0 Atletico Madrid 1 (Godin 36")

33" Bale shoots wide to his left after a breakaway beging gifted a pass by Tiago only to waste Real's first chance at goal.

32" Lopez hits a shot from 12 yards but Real clear after some anxious moments.

29" Carvajal is fouled by Koke.

28" Ronaldo hits the free kick straight to Courtois who gathers easily.

26" Koke puts a corner into the box but Varane heads away.

27" YELLOW! Ramos is also booked for getting involved in an off the ball incident.

27" YELLOW! Garcia is booked for a tackle from behind on Di Maria.

24" Ronaldo leads a counter attack with Benzema but Bale is tackled on the edge of the box.

23" Modric floats the free-kick into the box but Courtois who gathers easily.

22" Di Maria is fouled by Gabi.

21" Ronaldo tries a long ball from the left into the box but Courtois is catches it.

19" Khedira fails to find Benzema in the box after floating a cross into the box.

17" Fabio Coentrao and Atletico captain Gabi eyeball each other after a tussle on the touchline.

16" Casillas is quickly out of his box to clear as Gabi tries to release Lopez into the Real box.

15" Courtois comes off his line to gather after Di Maria tries to release Benzema into the box.

14" Garcia's effort from 35 yards on the right sails well over the bar.

13" Di Maria floats a cross from 30 yards out on the left into the box but it is over hit.

11" Ronaldo is at the receiving end of aerial challenge from Garcia protesting to the referee in vain.

9" Costa is replaced by Lopez having trouble with his hamstring.

8" Sami Khedira is linking nicely with Luka Modric in the Real Madrid midfield

7" Atletico get a free kick after Bale catches Garcia with a high boot.

6" Carvajal sets up Benzema after darting down the right, but the French striker's deft flick evades the onrushing Bale.

5" Ronaldo goes down in the box going for a cross from the right after running into Miranda.

3" Ronaldo is clattered into by Miranda on the halfway line.

1" Real get the final underway and make an early foray on the right wing after Bale wins a free-kick on the halfway line.

The opening ceremony is in progress while the two sides have lined up in the tunnel.

Former Real and Barcelona Luis Figo is bringing out the UEFA Champions League trophy.

Ronaldo, Bale and Benzema all start for Real Madrid while Diego Costa has been declared fit for Atletico Madrid.

PLAYING XI

Real Madrid: Casillas, Varane, Ramos, Coentrão, Khedira, Ronaldo, Benzema, Bale, Carvajal, Modric, Di María.

Subs: Diego Lopez, Pepe, Marcelo, Arbeloa, Morata, Isco, Illarramendi

Atletico: Courtois; Juanfran, Godin, Miranda, Filipe Luis; Gabi, Tiago, Koke, Raul Garcia; Villa, Diego Costa.

Subs: Aranzubia, Mario Suarez, Adrian, Rodriguez, Alderweireld, Diego, Sosa.

PROBABLE FORMATIONS

Real Madrid 4-3-3

Atletico Madrid 4-4-2

TEAM NEWS

Real Madrid

Xabi Alonso will miss the final through suspension.

Jesse is Ancelotti's only main injury concern.

Atletico Madrid

Gabi returns from suspension and should take his place alongside Tiago in midfield.

Raúl García could start alongside David Villa in attack.

STAT ATTACK

Real Madrid are undefeated in 29 of their last 30 matches against Atletico in all competitions.    

Atletico are undefeated in their last 12 matches in the Champions League (including qualifiers).

PREVIEW

Real Madrid top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo is fit for Saturday's Champions League final against Atletico Madrid but forward Karim Benzema and centre back Pepe remain doubtful, coach Carlo Ancelotti said on Friday.

Ronaldo, who has a record 16 goals in the latest edition of Europe's elite club competition, has had a series of niggling muscle injuries in recent weeks and has not played since limping out of a La Liga match at Real Valladolid on May 7.

Benzema hurt a thigh muscle in Saturday's 3-1 win at home to Espanyol, while Pepe has been out since damaging a calf in the Valladolid game.

"Cristiano is fine, he has trained well," Ancelotti told a news conference ahead of Real's last training session before the showpiece match at Benfica's Stadium of Light.

"We have to assess the condition of Pepe and Benzema because they have not trained this week," added the Italian, who is seeking to become the second coach after Liverpool's Bob Paisley to win the European Cup three times.

"After tonight's training session we will take the decision on tomorrow's game."

Ancelotti has Alvaro Morata as a potential straight swap for Benzema, while Raphael Varane typically deputises for Pepe or fellow centre back Sergio Ramos if either is unavailable.

The coach's biggest headache is in midfield, however, where he needs to decide who will replace the suspended Xabi Alonso.

Real's success this season has in large part been down to the control Spain international Alonso gives them with his distribution skills and tackling prowess.

Asier Illarramendi, who has failed to convince in his debut season, or Sami Khedira, who only recently returned after knee surgery, are two options.

ONE NIGHT

"I have one more night to think about it and tomorrow I will make a decision," said Ancelotti, who won the European Cup with AC Milan twice as a player and twice as a coach.

He added that his "dream" was to see a performance from his team similar to the one they produced in the semi-final, second leg at Bayern Munich, when Real thrashed the holders 4-0 at the Allianz Arena to go through 5-0 on aggregate.

"If we play like we did against Bayern we have a chance," said Ancelotti.

"A lot goes through your mind before a game like this. What matters is to be calm, train well, to be on top of things and give the team clear instructions.

"Rather than thinking about pre-game speeches, my main focus is just on the tactics and those instructions to the players, how to play the game."

Saturday's clash between the La Liga rivals and cross-town neighbours is the first final featuring two teams from the same city in the 59-year history of the competition.

Atletico are appearing in their second final after they lost to Bayern Munich in 1974 after a replay and are seeking their debut European crown having wrapped up their first La Liga title since 1996 at the weekend.

They will be trying to deny Real, through to their 13th European Cup showpiece match and their first since their last continental triumph in 2002, a record-extending 10th title.

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