What a match!
Real Madrid have defeated Liverpool FC 1-0 in the UEFA Champions League final. Vinícius Jr. scored the deciding goal in the 59th minute, becoming the fifth-youngest player to score in a UCL final. Madrid goalkeeper Thibault Courtois was the hero for Madrid, recording nine saves and turning away a scary chance from Mohamed Salah in the waning minutes. It’s Madrid’s record 14th UEFA Champions League/European Cup title and their first since 2018.
Madrid had a strong UCL season, winning five times and losing only once against Manchester City. They avenged that loss soon enough, however, engineering an incredible comeback by scoring twice after the 90th minute — just enough to win 6-5 on aggregate.
This game wasn’t quite as dramatic as their victory against Manchester City, but it wasn’t entirely without controversy. In the first half, Karim Benzema took advantage of a chaotic sequence in front of Liverpool’s goal, scoring in the 42nd minute. The goal was disallowed, however, after VAR review determined that he was offside.
Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid, a noted fan of Madrid, was not happy with the decision.
He was behind the GK but the deflection came from the defender so that’s a goal in my books and the rules
— Joel “Troel” Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) May 28, 2022
VARpool paid the refs… that’s a goal
— Joel “Troel” Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) May 28, 2022
Other notable athletes across the sports world reacted to the final, heaping praise on Vinicius Jr. and Courtois.
HALA MADRID
— Joel “Troel” Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) May 28, 2022
Congrats @realmadrid! 👑🤍🔥😍 Champions of Europe! What a season – happy for the club & all the fans!!! #UCL #UCLfinal
— Mesut Özil (@MesutOzil1088) May 28, 2022
Its so nice to be a REAL MADRID fan!😊
— Luka Doncic (@luka7doncic) May 28, 2022
Monstre @thibautcourtois 🔒🔒🔒
— Rudy Gobert (@rudygobert27) May 28, 2022
Vini Jr so cold !! Omg🤯⚽️
— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) May 28, 2022
GOLASOOO!!! 🔵⚪️#ChampionsLeagueFinal ⚽️
— Bogdan Bogdanovic (@LeaderOfHorde) May 28, 2022
Vamos MADRID!!! 🔥
— Willy Hernangómez Geuer (@willyhg94) May 28, 2022
Congrats @RealMadrid for the #UCL-title 2022. Congratulations @ToniKroos & @David_Alaba!
But the best tonight: @thibautcourtois – absolutely world class performance👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 #UCLfinal— Bastian Schweinsteiger (@BSchweinsteiger) May 28, 2022
