Internet Desk: Cristiano Ronaldo struck the winning penalty as Real Madrid sealed an 11th UEFA Champions League triumph in a gripping final in Milan.
Sergio Ramos opened the scoring for Los Blancos with a controversial goal in the 15th minute, where he looked slightly off-side. Atletico weren’t in the game, but burst out of the blocks after the break. Antoine Griezmann missed a penalty within minutes of the second half, but late in the contest, impressive sub Yannick Carrasco levelled proceedings.
Neither side could find the equaliser in extra-time, and Juanfran, who had supplied the equalising goal, was the unlucky man to see his penalty rebound off the post. Ronaldo, who had had a quiet game, stepped up to slot home the winning strike.
Real’s victory means they are now 11-time European champions with Zinedine Zidane becoming the seventh man to win the tournament as both player and coach after only five months at the helm.
Atletico, meanwhile, suffered their third heartbreaking defeat in a European Cup final, with Diego Simeone missing out on the opportunity to win every major honour available since taking charge of the club.
The breakthrough arrived in the 15th minute, though, with Toni Kroos’ free-kick flicked on by Bale before Ramos prodded his effort under Oblak from close range. Despite Ramos appearing to have strayed narrowly offside, the goal stood to make him the first defender to score in two Champions League finals.
At the other end, Griezmann shot straight at Keylor Navas twice before sending another effort narrowly wide as he attempted to lift Atletico from what was a flat first-half performance.
A tearful Dani Carvajal had to be withdrawn through injury for Zidane’s men, who continued to come under pressure with Stefan Savic somehow missing the target from six yards after Diego Godin and Griezmann had kept a corner alive.
But for all of Atletico’s improvement, they were not testing Navas and Real should have made sure of victory when Benzema was thwarted by Oblak after Luka Modric had impressively sent him through on goal.
They came even closer when the otherwise quiet Ronaldo was denied by Oblak twice in quick succession, with Bale’s attempt from the rebound cleared off the line by Savic.
And that missed opportunity proved costly as Atletico went up the other end and equalised, with Juanfran’s brilliant volleyed cross after Gabi’s chipped pass emphatically converted by Carrasco.
Ramos’ cynical challenge on Carrasco thwarted a stoppage-time Atletico breakaway to send the match to extra-time, where Ronaldo completely misjudged a headed chance having been found by substitute Isco in the best opening.
The first seven penalties – including Griezmann’s effort – were all scored, until Juanfran hit the foot of the post, allowing Ronaldo to seal European glory.