Champions League
Flickr photo by Daniel shared under a Creative Commons (BY 2.0) license.

A Champions League final riddled with hearbreak

Sarosh Ahmad·
LiverpoolReal Madrid
·6 Comments·

The most anticipated game of the season had plenty of drama to offer…

More than 60,000 people were present at the NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium in Kiev to witness the Champions League final. Both teams began playing at a very high temp from the outset, with Liverpool appearing the more confident side in the opening stages. There was a certain rhythm among Klopp’s players, who continued to force themselves into dangerous positions and unsettled the Madrid defence. It took less than 10 minutes for The Reds to test their opposition’s goalkeeper, but Keylor Navas was up to the task.

Jurgen Klopp urged his players to keep up their inhuman intensity as Liverpool looked determined to score the opening goal. Alexander-Arnold had a couple of brilliant strikes parried by the keeper, and it seemed like only a matter of time before one found the back of the net. However, in the 31st minute, Salah was taken down by a cynical challenge from Sergio Ramos, and the Egyptian seemed to be writhing in agony. After treatment from the physios, he tried his best to carry on and Liverpool supporters were hopeful that their star man would be able to continue on such a momentous occasion – but it wasn’t to be. Still hindered by the excruciating pain, Salah was forced to walk off the pitch in tears.

It was a heartbreaking moment for the Premier League icon and all his fans across the globe, and his place was taken by Adam Lallana. Salah had just become the first Egyptian player to play in a Champions League final, but now he was on the verge of missing his nation’s World Cup campaign. There was another injury to taint the game as well, with Dani Carvajal landing awkwardly and tweaking his hamstring. He was replaced by Nacho in the 37th minute, and is also in danger of missing the upcoming World Cup. By the time the first half was over, a more gloomy atmosphere began permeating throughout the stadium as fans understood the magnitude of what had taken place.

Soon after the restart, Benzema had the ball in the back of the net – only for it to be given offside. Ronaldo’s header was saved by Loris Karius and Benzema was on hand to convert the rebound, but he was marginally ahead of the last defender. More drama followed, and a comical error from Liverpool’s goalkeeper gifted Benzema the opener. Karius had comfortably collected a long ball and tried to distribute it quickly, but the Frenchman instinctively stuck a foot out and diverted the ball back into his own net. It was a calamitous error under such circumstances, and everyone watching was momentarily in a state of shock.

Senegal international Sadio Mane eventually forced the equalizer by poking home Lovren’s dangerous flick-on, rejuvenating Liverpool’s lost energy to some extent. Isco was replaced by Bale, and the substitution proved to be a master-stroke by Zidane as the Welshman scored an unstoppable bicycle kick just moments after his introduction. Marcelo passed the ball towards Bale, who leaped high and wrapped his left-foot around the ball, leaving Karius with absolutely no chance. The whole crowd was on their feet as they may never witness a moment of such brilliance again; with the goal likely to be replayed for decades to come.

An excellent shot by Mane struck Keylor Navas’ post and ricocheted away from goal, lacking the movement necessary to curl into the bottom corner. On the other end, Ronaldo was being given tough time by Andy Robertson and a terrific challenge by the Scottish full-back denied the forward an almost certain goal. Just as the game began to open up, Gareth Bale let fly with a speculative effort which Karius failed to punch away, deflecting the ball into the back of his own net instead. It was the German keeper’s second woeful error of the night, and he knew what both mishaps meant in the grand scheme of things. Real Madrid edged closer to winning three consecutive Champions League trophies, and four in the past five years, but Ronaldo was still aching for a celebratory goal. Just when it looked like the Portuguese legend would get his goal, he was thwarted by a pitch-invader, much to his frustration.

The final-whistle blew and Real Madrid had completed their 3-1 triumph over Liverpool. Players and fans around the stadium were overwhelmed with emotions – and Karius, in particular, was distraught given his role in the result. Despite being consoled by his teammates, the German was seen crying and apologizing to the Liverpool supporters. For Real Madrid faithful, the feeling was one of utter jubilation as the club had made Champions League history once more, and essentially redefined what was deemed possible in the modern footballing era. The club accomplished a feat unlikely to replicated in the near future, and the resulting moments will be etched into their history forever.