By Sulaimon Jamiu
Liverpool’s bid to claim the UEFA Champions League trophy for the seventh time ended in bitter disappointment as Vinicius Jr’s second-half winner gave Real Madrid victory in Paris, on Saturday night.
Jurgen Klopp’s side ran into a one-man wall of defiance as Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois produced the greatest individual performance in a UCL final by a goalkeeper, to thwart Liverpool time and again.
Mohamed Salah, seeking revenge for his early departure through injury in the 2018 final against The Galaticos, was denied three 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. The Italian tactician having previously won it twice with AC Milan in 2003 & 2007 and once with Real Madrid in 2014.
The Spanish outfit were always a threat and the decisive moment came after 59 minutes when Vinicius stole in unmarked at the far post to score the lone goal in the dramatic game.
Meanwhile, this final was 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.
