Real Madrid Clinch 11th European Title
Real Madrid beat city rivals Atletico for the second time in three
years to win the Champions League for the 11th time yesterday.
Sergio Ramos’ first-half goal was cancelled out by Yannick Carrasco
in the 79th minute, but neither team could find a winner in 120 minutes.
In the shootout, Atletico’s Juanfran hit the post and Cristiano
Ronaldo delivered the clinching penalty for Real to secure their second
Champions League title in three years, and their fifth since 1998.
Real were in control early as Gareth Bale earned a free kick on the
side of the box in the sixth minute. The Welshman played the ball into
the six-yard box, where Karim Benzema and Casemiro converged to redirect
the ball on target, but Jan Oblak made a point-blank save.
The play was physical from the start, though English referee Mark
Clattenburg kept his cards in his pocket until Dani Carvajal forced his
hand with a late tackle on Griezmann in the 11th minute.
Atletico, who were subdued in the opening 45 minutes, had the chance
to level within minutes of the restart from the penalty spot after Pepe
fouled Fernando Torres, but Antoine Griezmann slammed his spot-kick
against the underside of the crossbar.
Karim Benzema ought to have put the game to bed when he shot straight at Oblak before Bale then had his shot cleared off
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