Real finally seal ‘La Decima’

Real Madrid came from behind to win the Champions League title in extra time at the expense of Atletico Madrid.

Ronaldo's goal was his 17th of the campaign, an all-time record for the competition [Getty Images]

Real Madrid secured a 10th European Cup when they snatched a stoppage-time equaliser before extra-time goals by Gareth Bale, Marcelo and a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty gave them a 4-1 win over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League final.

Ronaldo and Bale were both sent tumbling by tough tackles within three minutes, but it was Atletico’s 36-goal forward Costa who had to quit early.

Costa hobbled off after just nine minutes, making it clear that the gamble by coach Diego Simeone to put him in the starting lineup had backfired. 

Recent Champions League winners

2014 Real Madrid (Spain)

2013 Bayern Munich (Germany)
2012 Chelsea (England)
2011 Barcelona (Spain)
2010 Inter Milan (Italy)
2009 Barcelona (Spain)
2008 Manchester United (England)

Atletico, who won the Spanish league title a week ago, looked set to complete a double after Diego Godin’s 36th-minute header, helped by a blunder from Real keeper Iker Casillas, put them in control of the first European final between teams from the same city. 

Casillas, who came rushing out of his goal, was left stranded in no man’s land as Godin beat him to the ball and headed towards goal. The keeper rushed back and attempted to scoop the ball out but it had already crossed the line.

It was a notable double for Godin who headed the goal in last week’s 1-1 draw at Barcelona that secured Atletico’s first league title since 1996.

The opener came five minutes after Real’s world record signing Gareth Bale had spurned a great opportunity to put his side ahead when he picked up the ball in midfield after Tiago gave possession away cheaply.

In a second half of increasingly hectic Real attacks, Ronaldo tested Thibaut Courtois with a curling free kick but was off target with a pair of headers.

Bale’s early nerves

Bale was guilty of a series of miscued shots with the outside of his left boot, and a handball in the Atletico penalty area that added to Real fans’ frustrations.

That started a surge of Real pressure that finally paid off when Ramos headed the equaliser to force extra time.

The first period of that ended without another goal, but Real finally took control of the game in the last 15 minutes when Bale headed them in front in the 110th minute before Marcelo fired home the third and Ronaldo scored from the spot.

Ronaldo, the Portugal captain playing in his own capital city, scored the fourth from the penalty spot to clinch an astonishing turnaround and a double of Champions League and King’s Cup after Real could only finish third in La Liga.

“Incredible, what can I say? It was our aim from the start of the season,” said Real coach Carlo Ancelotti. “It was difficult but I think we deserved it in the end.”  

Ronaldo’s goal was his 17th of the campaign, an all-time record for the competition, and meant Carlo Ancelotti became only the second man after Bob Paisley of Liverpool to win three European Cups as a coach after the Italian’s earlier successes with AC Milan in 2003 and 2007.

Source: Reuters