Until the 90: Real Madrid retain the UEFA Champions League to claim their 13th UCL title!

Real Madrid win their 13th UCL title

Zinadine Zidane made a gamechanging substitution!

Substitute Gareth Bale comes on to score the winning goals

His brace hands Real their 3rd straight UCL crown

Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius endures a nightmare in goal

Sergio Ramos earns his 4th UCL title as Real captain

Real Madrid Vs Liverpool

Match Report

Real Madrid has beaten Liverpool 3-1 in the UCL Final 2018 to win their 13th UCL title which was also their 3rd straight title.

Before beginning with the match analysis, this final has seen one of the strangest goals as well as the most spectacular goals in the history of the UEFA Champions League.

With the attack that both teams possess, the game began at a quick pace with both sides attacking their opposition goals, but there was terrible news for either side after Mohamed Salah and Dani Carvajal were forced off with an injury.

Salah's blow came in the 28th minute when Sergio Ramos was looking to win the ball back took down Salah, pulling his arm in the process. Salah looked fine to continue but just for a couple more minutes after tears came down the eyes of the Egyptian.

Mo Salah exited the game early with an injury

He knew that he couldn't continue further and received moral support from his teammates as well as the opposition players including Cristiano Ronaldo. His involvement in UCL Final made him the first Egyptian player to contest a UCL final but going away in such circumstances was just earthshattering for him.

Just 8 minutes later, Real Madrid fullback Dani Carvajal picked up an injury while attempting to backheel the ball and the Spaniard too began to shed tears as he too realized that his Final is over. If the injury is severe, he could even be a doubt for the upcoming FIFA World Cup.

Carvajal exits the game with an injury

With both teams failing to score in the 1st half, the game opened up much more in the second half, with Liverpool pressing high up the field. But Madrid had the best chances, first through Isco who hit the bar and then through Karim Benzema who found the net through Cristiano Ronaldo's saved effort but was called off-side.

Benzema's goal was ruled off-side

But, what happened in the 51st minute couldn't have been called. Goalkeeper Karius receives the ball and looks to release it early, only for Benzema to put his foot in his path which deflects the goal into the net, giving Liverpool the lead, his 3rd goal in his last two appearances.

Liverpool responded in brilliant fashion as James Milner's corner saw Dejan Lovren get the right amount of contact to put the ball into the path of Sadio Mane to tap in the equalizer.

Zidane made his game-changing substitution as he was looking for the winning goal and brought on Gareth Bale to add pace to the attack. His first came through an absolutely stunning overhead kick, one of the best goals that have been scored in a UCL Final.

By scoring the second goal, Real began controlling the game as Liverpool were determined to find a way to equalize for the second time as Sadio Mane's low drive saw him hit the post.

Bale got possession of the ball yet again and tried his luck by curling in a long distance shot on goal which ultimately went in after Karius yet again made a horrific fumble, to sum up, his night and hand Real their 13th UCL crown.

Gareth Bale's career defying performance:

Bale's international manager and Welsh boss Ryan Giggs had called it that Bale's inclusion at any stage of the game could be a gamechanger and boy were he right. Zidane made a brave call by keeping Bale on the bench and launching him fresh as a substitute to attack a tiring Liverpool defense.

Two of finest ever UCL Final goals may have secured his future as Real Madrid player for the upcoming season and may have also won over the support from the fans.

Bale has stated that he intends to stay at Madrid with his genuine love for the club and after this performance, he will stay put at Madrid and may even be the first choice in the starting XI.

Fans will also be arguing whether Bale was the one with the best overhead kick or was it Ronaldo's overhead kick this season. Ultimately, both goals have won big games so it really doesn't matter whose was the best.

Gareth Bale's goal against Liverpool

Cristiano Ronaldo's goal against Juventus

Loris Karius' horrendous evening:

Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius may have had one of the worst nights any goalkeeper can have in a game as important as a UCL Final and eventually it was his inexperience that cost Liverpool the game.

The first mistake was a simple lack of awareness of the oppositon, something he needs to desparetely improve upon next season.

The second one was a mistake that a goalkeeper of his calibre shouldn't be committing with a shere lack of judgement.

After the match, he went over to apologize to the Liverpool fans as tears started rolling down his cheeks too. The Liverpool fans and his team may have forgiven him but now need to have confidence in his abilities and push him to move on from those errors.

He still has the ability to play in goal as Liverpool's No.1, but if needed the club can buy someone who is experienced and can teach him all the necessary traits needed to become a top-class goalkeeper.

Liverpool evaluation:

Liverpool could have delivered a bit more, since it was their first UCL Final in 13 years but failed to rise up to the occasion. If Mohamed Salah would have been on the pitch the story may have been different.

Liverpool has time to put this result behind them and do their players and the manager. But, come the start of a new season, they will have to keep pushing on and look forward to achieving greater things in the future.

Real Madrid evaluation:

Ronaldo did make things happen for the entire game but failed to find a goal and wasn't at his scintillating best. But, he still managed to break a few records, including the one that he is now the first ever player to win 5 UCL titles.

The team was unified for the entire game and that's why they are walking away with the UCL title for a third straight time.

Real Madrid: Champions for a 13th time

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Real Madrid Vs Liverpool
Preview

Date: 26th May 2018

Venue: NSC Olimpiyskiy - Kyiv

Time: 00:15 a.m. [IST]

NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium in Kyiv

The biggest game in European football is set to take center stage this Saturday with a blockbuster UEFA Champions League Final to round off another historic season.

12-time European Champions Real Madrid will defend their title against 5-time European Champions Liverpool and the victors will go down in history as the greatest European club of all time.

Perhaps two of Europe's greatest attacking sides and equally good defensive sides taken on each other and we are all in for a treat!

Real retaining their title last season

Real Madrid is a team who take their football into the UCL onto a whole new level which has led them to their third straight final. But, Liverpool are the Champions League top scorers this season.
and are the first English side to feature in a UCL Final since Chelsea's win back in 2012.

Liverpool's dramatic win in Istanbul in 2005

Both managers have brought immense success to their sides and possess the winning mentality. Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane will be entering his third straight UCL final but Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has had a response for everything that has come in front of him this season and now aims for Champions League success.

UCL Head-to-Head Record:

Played: 6

Liverpool Wins: 3

Real Madrid Wins: 2

Draws: 1

Team News:

Real Madrid is expected to have a fully fit squad with all their big guns set to light up the UCL.

Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that James Milner and Emre Can are both fit to feature this Saturday but the latter may not be included in the starting XI.

However, long-term absentees include Joe Gomez, Joel Matip, and Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain.

Key Battle: Cristiano Ronaldo Vs Mohamed Salah

It's no surprise that this Saturday, Kiev will grace two of the greatest modern-day footballers as Mohamed Salah will take on Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo sets the UCL stage on fire with his presence every single time. This season he has achieved an amazing feat of scoring in 13 successive UCL matches, taking his tally to 15 goals.

Ronaldo's Champions League record speaks for itself

He can finish as the top scorer this UCL season but if he gets two more, he can beat his own record set in the 2013-14 season of 17 goals.

If Ronaldo does win this Saturday, he will go down in history as the only player to win the Champions League title five times.

Ronaldo can also become the first player to score in consecutive UCL finals to add to his four goals.

Mohamed Salah, Liverpool's newest acquisition has taken his football to a whole new level this season in the domestic and well as the European League.

Salah has enjoyed a terrific UCL season with Liverpool

He has scored 44-goals in all competitions this season, 10 of them coming in the UCL as he looks to continue his stunning development.

Both players will be also competing for individual honors including the Ballon d'Or and the forward who manages to find the back of the net will be favorite to pick up the accolade. But, both will be eyeing UCL success first.

Squad Evaluation and Predicted Line-ups

Real Madrid has a fresh squad among which 10 players will be guaranteed a place in the starting XI this Saturday.

Most of the players who begin for Real Madrid this Saturday have big match experience playing in previous UCL finals.

Goalkeepers and Defenders:

Despite the rumors that Real are looking for a new goalkeeper, their current shot-stopper Keylor Navas continues to impress and is heading for his 3rd successive UCL final as the first choice.

Ramos' UCL record

The defensive unit just picks itself every single time with Raphael Varane, Sergio Ramos, Dani Carvajal and Marcelo all set to start.

Ramos can be regarded among Madrid's greatest captains of the modern era fairly because of his presence in central defense, the contribution he brings to the side and his winning record in the UCL.

He only needs to stay away from picking up early bookings and refrain from receiving a red card.

These traits are also replicating within his defensive partner Raphael Varane who is transforming into one of Europe's finest defenders.

Marcelo in the UCL

The center backs may not face much of a threat than what Real's fullbacks are set to encounter. Dani Carvajal and Marcelo are both brilliant when they attack and are also fairly decent defenders if they haven't been caught off-guard.

Carvajal will be taking on Sadio Mane who is very quick to counter-attack.

Marcelo will be facing off against Mohamed Salah and he has to be at his scintillating best if he wishes to stop the Egyptian from scoring.

Central Midfield:

Madrid is expected to begin with first choice Casemiro, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos in central midfield.

Casemiro is regarded among the greatest defensive midfielders in Europe and rises to the occasion whenever he plays a UCL final. He has scored in the 4-1 triumph last season against Juventus.

Modric and Kroos will be responsible for keeping Real's midfield in control of the game, something they are very capable of doing. Kroos' dead ball delivery needs to be spot on to create goal scoring chances.

Attack:

We have already spoken about Cristiano Ronaldo and what he brings to the UCL final. He has scored 3 times against Liverpool as a Manchester United player in the past. Ronaldo may start on the left or he can play up front as a No.9.

Despite finding the net 9 times this season, Isco has a long goal drought in the UCL which will stretch to 2 full seasons if he doesn't score this Saturday. But his influence and passing ability have been at its best to justify his inclusion.

Four players are fighting for the final spot in the starting XI. Karim Benzema has scored 11 goals in all competitions and he may be included in the starting line-up based on his last UCL performance, a brace against Bayern Munich.

Bale aims for his 4th UCL title

Gareth Bale is set to face an English side for the first time in this season's UCL. Bale has previously scored just once against Liverpool but comes with momentum into the final. He has scored 5 times in his last four games in La Liga but has scored just once this season in the UCL.

Marco Asensio and Lucas Vazquez are both quick players who can have a good impact from the bench.

With the injury problems that Liverpool are currently facing, many would be able to predict at least 10 players who will be included in the starting XI.

Goalkeeper and Defenders:

Liverpool's goalkeeping crisis has seen them without a first choice No.1 for almost the entire season. But Loris Karius is Liverpool's go-to man for the final.

Virgil Van Dijk's summer arrival is one of the main reasons that Liverpool have made it to the UCL Final this season. He has established a formidable partnership in central defense with Dejan Lovren this season.

The pair faces their biggest test this season when they come up against the likes of Ronaldo, Benzema, and co. They have to be firm on set plays offensively and defensively and avoid getting unnecessary bookings during the match.

Fullbacks Trent Alexander Arnold and Andrew Robertson have had a fairytale season this year. Arnold's first full season with Liverpool has seen him establish himself as the first choice, earn him a spot with England for the World Cup and now he plays a UCL final.

Robertson has had a stunning revival from a player relegated last season with Hull City and now is the first choice for the UCL Final.

Arnold will be up against none other than Cristiano Ronaldo and for that reason, he needs to man-mark him and his runs to have any chance of stopping him.

Robertson will be up against Gareth Bale perhaps, where he too will have to put in a similar role and keep a defensive track of all happenings down Real's right.

Central Midfield:

Liverpool has suffered a big loss with Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain's long-term injury and now have four fit midfielders for this Saturday.

Jordan Henderson and James Milner is the English pair that is likely to begin as holding midfielders

Henderson is next Liverpool captain to step in UCL Final since Steven Gerrard and their victorious campaign. He will be inspired by that performance itself to win the competition.

The player who will be key to creating goals for Liverpool is James Milner. Milner has taken his assist tally to eight this season and is level with Neymar's 2016-17 season tally, second only to Roberto Firmino this season.

He is expected to start down the left of central midfield and will assist Robertson to stop Madrid's attack with his experience as a left back.

Georginio Wijnaldum would be the player to play the box-to-box midfielder role, but he has to play to his strengths this Saturday and not his defensive weaknesses.

Attack:

Mohamed Salah will be up against left fullback Marcelo and will thrive at the opportunity to play against the Brazilian. Salah may be regarded as the best counter-attacking player and if he gets a chance, he can take Marcelo out of almost every equation.

Mane has been in terrific form this season

Sadio Mane is another brilliant counter-attacking player that Liverpool have down the left wing and he too will be facing an offensive fullback in Dani Carvajal.

Roberto Firmino will start as a No.9. He isn't aggressive in front of goal but he has pace and can threaten when Liverpool counter-attack.