Liverpool suffer Champions League agony as Real Madrid win coveted trophy, again

Liverpool suffer Champions League agony as Real Madrid win coveted trophy, again

Rene Otinga
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:03 PM
  • Vinicius Junior emerged as the hero for Real Madrid once again as his goal secured the Champions League for Los Blancos at the expense of Liverpool
  • Liverpool were constantly frustrated by the brilliance of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who was in inspired form
  • The final had to start 36 minutes after the scheduled time due to security reasons outside the Stade de France

Real Madrid won the 2021/2022 Champions League as they sank Liverpool in a pulsating final at the Stade de France on Saturday, May 28.

A solitary goal from Vinicius Junior was enough for Carlo Ancelotti’s side to claim victory at the expense of Liverpool, who will have to settle for two domestic trophies this season.

The Reds were out for blood as they looked to get some revenge over the Merenguez in an on-pitch feud that dates back to 2018.

Real Madrid, Liverpool, Champions League final
Marcelo of Real Madrid lifts the UEFA Champions League Trophy after their sides victory in the UEFA Champions League final at Stade de France on May 28, 2022. Photo by Julian Finney.
Source: Getty Images

But Jurgen Klopp’s side ran into an unlikely problem as Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois turned into a one-man defence, keeping out a string of unrelenting Liverpool attacks.

Liverpool fall short again, how it happened

Prior to kickoff, there was a delay that lasted more than half an hour due to organizational challenges at the Stade de France.

Liverpool fans came by their thousands, and there was a genuine risk of overcrowding from the supporters, who were eager to get into the stadium.

Once the game got underway, it was Liverpool who took the front foot as they played with typical high intensity and pressing from early on.

There were early signs that Courtois was not willing to concede a goal on the evening as he brilliantly adjusted himself to keep out Mohammed Salah’s touch early on.

Vinicius Junior, Real Madrid, Champions League final
Vinicius Junior celebrates with Luka Jovic following their victory in the UEFA Champions League final match between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid at Stade de France. Photo by Marc Atkins.
Source: Getty Images

The Belgian’s best save of the half, however, came when he brilliantly pawed a powerful shot by Sadio Mane, and was lucky to see it come off the post and back into his safe hands.

Thiago, who had an injury scare prior to kick-off, also had attempts at goal but they were fairly routine for the Real Madrid goalkeeper.

Benzema’s disallowed goal

Having weathered down the storm from Liverpool, Real Madrid thought they had gone ahead against the run of play after leading marksman Karim Benzema took advantage of a defensive mix up in the Liverpool box to slot home.

But after a three-minute review by VAR, the goal was eventually chopped off, with fans online left confused to why it was disallowed.

Officials’ main debate was whether Fabinho deliberately played the ball to the path of Benzema, in which case the Frenchman would have been onside.

Liverpool continued with their typical attacking prowess in the second half, but Madrid were patient, and their moment eventually came.

In the 59th minute, Liverpool’s Trent-Alexander Arnold temporarily switched off and Vinicius Junior ghosted in behind to slot in a cross-shot from Valverde to send Real Madrid fans into delirium.

Salah, looking for his first goal or assist in a major final, tried to level things up with several attempts, including a curler that was once again kept out expertly by the Real Madrid shot-stopper.

In the end, it was Liverpool players who collapsed on the pitch in disappointment at full time as they missed out on the chance to claim a seventh European title.

Authors
Rene Otinga photo
Rene Otinga
Rene Otinga is a sports journalist with over eight years of working experience in digital media. Rene's experience includes working as a Copywriter at X News Kenya and TUKO.co.ke.
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Carlo Ancelotti