The Final showpiece of Europe's elites was finely poised between the most solid defending and one of the most lethal attacking sides in the competition, but it was Zinedine Zidane's men who wore their glass slippers to the ball, as they showed class to enforce the famous saying "the best form of defence is attack" in a fairy tale Finale. Allegri's Bianconeri had conceeded just 3 goals, while the Los Blancos racked up an amazing 32 goals enroute the final showpiece. The build up to the game had both fans expectations over the roof, as there was going to be no big name absentees due to injuries or suspensions, although Real's Gareth Bale had just made a speedy recovery in time to be fit for the piece, not fully fit. Many of the Italian fans waited to applaud the runners-up at the National Stadium of Wales, where the roof was closed due to safety and security reasons as vigilance increased in the wake of the Manchester attack.
The opening ceremony of the UEFA Champions League Final 2017 was intended to be lit up by a "fergie-less" black eyed peas to the dismay of many in the fully packed millenium stadium. They did though perform their hit track "i gotta feeling", amongst other songs, and indeed the night went on to be a "good night" for both the Madrid fans and the neutrals.
Smoke from the pyrotechnics hung high when play finally got under way, with the Old Lady flying out of the blocks and moving the ball around with confidence and authority.
Ex-Madrid star Gonzalo Higuain led the lines early on for Juve, asking questions of Keylor Navas in the Madrid goal with an early header and long-range strike that surprised Keylor Navas, with the goalkeeper soon producing a one-handed save as stunning as Miralem Pjanic's volleyed effort.
A Superb play saw the ball moved from left to right where Dani Carvajal collected a pass from Ronaldo, with marauding full-back playing it first time straight back to the Portuguese, who swept home a sublime right-footed strike via a slight deflection off Leonardo Bonucci past Gigi Buffon in the Juve goal to open the scoring.
The speed and quality of the move was outstanding, with Ronaldo celebrating in front of the Juve fans with typical flamboyance.
Massimiliano Allegri's side rallied impressively and soon levelled in the most emphatic fashion.
Higuain controlled a first-time cross from Alex Sandro and directed onto the Croatian, who cushioned the ball with his chest and produced an effort that left the footballing world open-mouthed.
Mandzukic's wonderful overhead kick from just inside the box looped home past a fully stretched Navas to give Juventus a deserved leveller - a goal they were unable to add to before a breathless first half came to an end.
Real came back blazing from the break, and from their on, their French maestro of a manager had worked his magic. The defending champions started the second period far better than the first, with Luka Modric and Marcelo having efforts as they pushed forwards in numbers. Isco directed wide as the Spaniards continued to threaten to score a goal that arrived in the 61st minute.
Casemiro ran onto the loose ball after a shot was blocked, hitting a thundering 40-yard screamer that deflected off Sami Khedira's heels and out of Buffon's reach to put the resilient Madrid back in front.
Things only got worse for the Bianconeri and pretty quickly too, as they fell further behind.
Fine build up play down the right unleashed Modric who hooked the ball back from the byline with outstanding precision, with Ronaldo getting ahead of his man to direct home at the near post for his second of the night, Juve had been dealt the killer blow.
Higuain controlled a first-time cross from Alex Sandro and directed onto the Croatian, who cushioned the ball with his chest and produced an effort that left the footballing world open-mouthed.
Mandzukic's wonderful overhead kick from just inside the box looped home past a fully stretched Navas to give Juventus a deserved leveller - a goal they were unable to add to before a breathless first half came to an end.
Real came back blazing from the break, and from their on, their French maestro of a manager had worked his magic. The defending champions started the second period far better than the first, with Luka Modric and Marcelo having efforts as they pushed forwards in numbers. Isco directed wide as the Spaniards continued to threaten to score a goal that arrived in the 61st minute.
Casemiro ran onto the loose ball after a shot was blocked, hitting a thundering 40-yard screamer that deflected off Sami Khedira's heels and out of Buffon's reach to put the resilient Madrid back in front.
Things only got worse for the Bianconeri and pretty quickly too, as they fell further behind.
Fine build up play down the right unleashed Modric who hooked the ball back from the byline with outstanding precision, with Ronaldo getting ahead of his man to direct home at the near post for his second of the night, Juve had been dealt the killer blow.
Ronaldo attempted to complete his
hat-trick before Marcelo missed the target, with Zidane bringing on Bale
to the delight of the Welsh contingent inside the ground.
A last-ditch challenge prevented him getting on the end of a Ronaldo cross, with Sandro heading wide at the other end.
Matters went from bad to worse for the Italians as Juan Cuadrado picked up a second booking in quick succession. Tempers frayed after Ramos' theatrical reaction on a night that ended with him lifting the Champions League.
Marcelo then went on to set up substitute Marco Asensio who swept in their fourth goal in the last minute to add gloss to a mouth-watering performance by the men from the Spanish capital. As manager Zinedine Zidane joined Brian Clough, Sir Alex Ferguson, Pep Guardiola and José Mourinho among others on the list of managers who have won the European Cup twice.
A last-ditch challenge prevented him getting on the end of a Ronaldo cross, with Sandro heading wide at the other end.
Matters went from bad to worse for the Italians as Juan Cuadrado picked up a second booking in quick succession. Tempers frayed after Ramos' theatrical reaction on a night that ended with him lifting the Champions League.
Marcelo then went on to set up substitute Marco Asensio who swept in their fourth goal in the last minute to add gloss to a mouth-watering performance by the men from the Spanish capital. As manager Zinedine Zidane joined Brian Clough, Sir Alex Ferguson, Pep Guardiola and José Mourinho among others on the list of managers who have won the European Cup twice.
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