Real Madrid defeats Liverpool to win the European Cup for the 14th time

Real Madrid won their 14th European Cup when they defeated Liverpool 1-0 in a Champions League final that was delayed for more than half an hour after police attempted to stop individuals trying to push their way into the Stade de France on Saturday.

Real’s first shot on goal was scored by Vinicius Junior shortly before the hour mark, and their goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois produced several superb saves to deny Liverpool, who finished the season with two domestic cups but failed to win the Premier League.

In a clash of European giants, Juergen Klopp’s side had more chances but lacked sharpness when it mattered, as Carlo Ancelotti became the first coach to win the Champions League twice with two different teams with AC Milan.

Real’s fourth Champions League championship in seven years was added to their remarkable record in the competition, as they won their eighth final in as many years.

The final was supposed to be held in St Petersburg, but after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which Moscow describes as a “special operation,” UEFA moved it to Paris.

The game began after a 36-minute delay due to riot police tear-gassing spectators outside the stadium as others without tickets attempted to force their way in.

In the previous European Cup final between the two teams, Liverpool had won 1-0 at the Parc des Princes in 1981, which was Real’s last defeat in a final.

It was supposed to be a different result this time, with Liverpool being minor favorites, but they defeated the Merseyside club for the second time in Paris, following their 3-1 win in 2018.

Liverpool surged high in the Real half, hoping to feed their fullbacks immediately, and the pressure mounted swiftly.

Trent Alexander-Arnold picked out Mo Salah in the box, but Courtois extended to deny the Egyptian.

Sadio Mane came considerably closer after another effort by Liverpool’s Thiago Alcantara when he ghosted past Eder Militao and Casemiro in the area but Courtois tipped his powerful shot onto the post in the 21st minute.

After half an hour, Real were still waiting for their first shot as Virgil van Dijk marshaled the Reds defense.

Liverpool, on the other hand, were not incisive enough in attack, and Salah had another shot with a header 10 minutes before the break, but it went straight at Courtois.

Despite Fabinho’s deflection, Real’s solitary chance of the first half gave Liverpool a worry, but Karim Benzema’s shot was ruled out as the Video Assistant Referee determined that he was offside after being sent in by Federico Valverde.

Liverpool came out firing in the second half, but Real sat back and absorbed the pressure until they scored in the 59th minute.

It began when Luka Modric moved away from Andrew Robertson to create space and ended with Vinicius turning in Valverde’s precise driven pass across the far post.

Salah’s curling shot was then wonderfully tipped away by Courtois, keeping Real ahead.