Real Madrid 3-1 Liverpool: Brilliant Bale goal, Karius nightmare bloopers see Madrid win third straight Champions League
This game will be remembered for key injuries, a magical goal and two historic blunders
For the 13th time in history and by far most all time, Real Madrid is once again king of the Champions League. On Saturday, Los Blancos beat Liverpool 3-1 on an absolutely magical, baffling bicycle kick goal from Gareth Bale to win a third straight Champions League crown. Two very bad bloopers from Liverpool's goalkeeper also proved to be the difference.
It all happened in the second half, as Real took advantage of momentum in a match that saw Liverpool lose superstar Mohamed Salah to a shoulder injury in the first half. Real Madrid manager and legendary soccer figure Zinedine Zidane became the first manager to win three consecutive Champions League titles.
Real opened the scoring with Karim Benzema taking advantage of an stunning gaffe from Loris Karius in goal early in the second half, but Sadio Mane equalized moments later to give the Reds some life back. But it was all undone with Bale's knockout kick. Real added a late goal from Bale that was another gaffe from the goalkeeper.
Here's Benzema's opener on 51 minutes, which is just one of the most unbelievable goals in history:
What a mistake from Karius as his throw gets blocked by Benzema and ends up in the back of the net! pic.twitter.com/F5KsQ8ts1Y
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) May 26, 2018
But Liverpool fought back without Salah, grabbing the equalizer shortly after:
The perfect response! Sadio Mane nets his 10 UCL goal of the season to bring Liverpool level. #UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/SRp6y073rM
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) May 26, 2018
Here's the winner 64 minutes in, as Bale shows off his unbelievable agility:
ARE YOU SERIOUS! Gareth Bale scores one of the best goals you'll EVER see to give Real Madrid a 2-1 lead! #UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/SCqFozk6qx
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) May 26, 2018
And then, another gaffe for poor Karius:
Karius AGAIN with the mistake in net!
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) May 26, 2018
This time he gifts Gareth Bale his second goal of the night, putting Real Madrid up 3-1. pic.twitter.com/iZEA7RnZMr
Real hasn't lost a Champions League final since 1981, and they become the first team to win three in a row since Bayern Munich in the mid 70s.
Liverpool loses the final, loses Salah to injury finishes the season empty handed with one of their own suffering one of the most cruel fates in the sports, carrying guilt he may have a hard time letting go of for some time.
Karius in tears, apologizes to Liverpool fans pic.twitter.com/sU3za6UaIu
— Ahmed Al Omran (@ahmed) May 26, 2018
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