Here’s what happened on Saturday in the UEFA Champions League final between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid at Milan’s San Siro…
READ ALL ABOUT IT
• Match report: Real Madrid 1, Atletico Madrid 1 (Real wins 5-3 on penalties)
• Boxscore: How the game unfolded
• Twitter reaction: Social media responds to Real’s win
THE MAIN STORY
Ronaldo: A man for the big moments
Talk about a Hollywood ending. What happened at San Siro on Saturday night was a pure storybook finale, ripped straight off the pages of a screenwriter’s notebook.
Anonymous through 90 minutes of regulation and 30 minutes of extra time, Cristiano Ronaldo stepped up to the spot as the 10th penalty taker, after Atletico’s Juanfran hit the post, and duly slotted home his shot to deliver Real Madrid its 11th European title.
This was not a vintage performance from the Portuguese superstar. Far from it, in fact. For long stretches he was a complete non-factor, unable to unlock Atletico’s bulwark defence, or even force goalkeeper Jan Oblak into making a difficult save. At times, he looked tired and frustrated. Atletico did an excellent job of shutting him down and cutting off his service. When he did get the ball and have a bit of space in front of him, he was unable to go on one of those attacking runs for which he’s become famous. His free kick attempts were uninspired, hitting Atleteico’s defensive wall or going far off target.
Nobody is going to remember that, though. All of that will be soon forgotten, because he scored the decisive goal that sealed another European crown for los blancos. When his team needed him the most, and after playing a poor game, Ronaldo stepped up—with the world watching—and delivered. That one moment—the ball sailing past Oblak—will be the lasting memory from this Champions League final. Not the 120 unforgettable minutes from the Portuguese that came before that goal.
This is what Ronaldo does. He scores when it matters. He’s a player for the big games, the big moments. It’s part of his genius, what has made him one of the best ever to play the game.
Simeone: “There is no such thing as justice in football. Whoever wins deserves to win. There are no excuses.”
— Dermot Corrigan (@dermotmcorrigan) May 28, 2016
Incredibly harsh on Atletico
Sports aren’t a meritocracy. The best team doesn’t always win. Justice isn’t always done. Soccer is no exception—it can be a very cruel game at times, as Saturday’s final at San Siro reminded us of this.
After an uncharacteristic first half in which they looked like innocent bystanders and trailed going into the break (albeit via an offside goal from Sergio Ramos), Atletico Madrid completely bossed the second half, spurred on by the inspired substitution of Yannick Carrasco, and tied things up in the 78th minute. Real looked a spent force in the dying minutes of regulation, with Gareth Bale and Ronaldo cramping up.
It was more of the same in extra time, with Real spending the majority of time on the back foot and dropping deep against Atletico, before a late surge by los blancos nearly ended things. It was then off to penalties, where both teams converted their first three attempts. Real made it 4-3 via Ramos. Juanfran stepped up to the spot and he didn’t look terribly comfortable. His shot hit the post, setting the stage for Ronaldo’s heroics.
It was cruel on Juanfran, who put in a man-of-the-match effort. He deserved more than to have his fabulous performance marred by a heartbreaking miss. Atletico deserved more, having been the better side overall on the balance of play.
But again, “deserve” has nothing to do with sports.
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BEST GOAL
In the 79th minute, Gabi released Juanfran down the right, and he fired a low cross across into the box that Carrasco fired into the roof of the net while holding off Real defender Danilo.
Gooooooallllllll!!!!!! Game on!!!!!! #Carrasco!!!!! Unquestionably deserved goal for #Atleti. 1-0 | 82' #UCLFinal pic.twitter.com/NtuvAiBOiQ
— Lega Serie A (@SerieAchannel) May 28, 2016
BEST SAVE
In the sixth minute, Bale whipped a dangerous free kick deep into Atletico’s box that Casemiro managed to get a touch on just a few feet in front of goal. Oblak did incredibly well to kick out his leg and make a crucial reflex save.
Oh what an incredible point blank save by Jan #Oblak!!! 0-0 | 8' #UCLFinal pic.twitter.com/A8gXDuC0ZH
— Lega Serie A (@SerieAchannel) May 28, 2016
BEST MOMENT
After scoring the equalizer for Atletico, Carrasco spotted his girlfriend in the stands, went over to her and gave her a big kiss. Now that’s a goal celebration!
Yannick Carrasco's #UCLfinal goal celebration: making out with his girlfriend. https://t.co/hm9D5Z1Yxs pic.twitter.com/eSLiYJEthD
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) May 28, 2016
BEST TWEET
Even by Simeone’s standards this is the face of a man possessed #UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/o7B7uBThWl
— Howler Magazine (@whatahowler) May 28, 2016
SIX PACK OF STATS
• Zinedine Zidane is the seventh person to win the Champions League/European Cup both as a coach and as a player: Miguel Munoz, Giovanni Trapattoni, Johan Cruyff, Carlo Ancelotti, Frank Rijkaard and Pep Guardiola.
• Yannick Carrasco is the first Belgian player to score in a European Cup/Champions League final.
• Sergio Ramos is the fourth defender to score in two different Champions League/European Cup finals (Tommy Gemmel, Phil Neal and Velibor Vasovic).
• Antoine Griezmann is the first player to fail to convert a penalty in a Champions League final since Arjen Robben in 2012.
• Real Madrid have now won the European Cup/Champions League 11 times, four more than any other team.
• This was the 11th European Cup/Champions League final to be decided by a penalty shootout.
Stats courtesy of Opta
BURNING QUESTION
THREE STARS
1) Juanfran: Magnificent in a losing effort for Atletico. Set up the equalizer and was the best player on the pitch.
2) Yannick Carrasco: Atletico was totally revitalized when he came on at the start of the second half.
3) Sergio Ramos: Scored the opening goal and brilliantly anchored a stingy Real defence.
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