SAT, 28 MAY, 2022-theGBJournal| At half time it remained Liverpool 0-0 Real Madrid in the Champions League Final in Paris, France, Saturday. But not without nail-biting drama in the dying minute of the half.
Karim Benzema trashed home a goal mouth scramble after he was played in from deep in his own half, and after Liverpool’s Ibrahim Konate and goalkeeper Alison made a mess of holding off Benzema.
On first view, it looked like Fabinho got the last touch before Benzema slotted home but after a long VAR check, the goal was disallowed.
Pulsating game, lived up to expectation, the familiar story, teams working so hard to restrain each other. Liverpool dominated possession in the half, striking the post through Sadio Mane and forcing Thibaut Courtois into great saves.
Liverpool the second half as they ended the first, on the front foot. Mo Salah thought he saw a penalty in the 58th minute after his shot from Trent Alexander-Arnold hit David Alaba. The referee waved his appeal off. Then on a fast counter attack, Real Madrid struck in a compelling fashion a minute later.
Quick passes played from back finds Federico Velverde on the right far side, a short burst forward and fires the ball fast across Liverpool’s 18yard box, Vinicius Jr, defender’s nightmare, met it and coolly slots into empty net from close range. It’s Liverpool 0-1 Real Madrid.
75th minute, Klopp made two changes in trying to dig deep. They gave it all. But Real Madrid was brilliant holding off the rampaging Liverpool. Thibaut Courtois, our Man-Of-the-Match, stood resolute in goal for Madrid, making breathtaking saves- nine close saves in all.
In the end it was Real Madrid’s day, lifting the UEFA Champions League trophy for the 14th times and the fifth for Carlo Ancelotti.
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