Liverpool’s bid to claim the Champions League trophy for the seventh time ended in bitter disappointment as Vinicius Jr’s second-half winner gave Real Madrid victory in Paris.
Jurgen Klopp’s side ran into a one-man wall of defiance as Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois produced one of the great individual performances to thwart Liverpool time and again.
Mohamed Salah, seeking revenge for his early departure through injury in the 2018 final against Real, was denied six times by Courtois who was simply unbeatable.
The victory also sees Carlo Ancelotti make history by becoming the first coach to win a fourth Champions League title.
Real, who have now won the competition for a record fourteen times, were always a threat and the decisive moment came after 59 minutes when Vinicius stole in unmarked at the far post to score.
Real Madrid have been living by the skin of their teeth in the Champions League this season, but any side that beats Paris St- Germain, Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool to reach their goal answers every question.
This was also a final marred by chaotic scenes outside Stade de France with thousands of Liverpool fans, some targeted with pepper spray by French police, unable to get into the stadium, forcing the kick-off to be delayed by more than 30 minutes.
