Vinicius Junior scored the only goal of the game as Real Madrid beat Liverpool 1-0 in Saturday's Champions League final in Paris to become kings of Europe for a record-extending 14th time after a night marred by problems outside the ground that led to the kick-off being delayed by over half an hour.
Brazilian winger Vinicius turned in Fede Valverde's enticing low cross in the 59th minute at the Stade de France and Liverpool could not find an equaliser as Jurgen Klopp's side lost to the Spanish giants in a Champions League final for the second time in five seasons.
The Anfield side will wonder what might have been had the outstanding Thibaut Courtois not pushed Sadio Mane's shot onto the inside of a post when they were on top in the first half, as they fell short of a trophy treble.
Winners of the English League Cup and FA Cup this season, they just missed out to Manchester City for the Premier League title and were denied a victory here which would have put them level with AC Milan on seven European Cups.
Instead Real have a fifth Champions League in nine seasons to go with their Spanish title, as Carlo Ancelotti becomes the first coach to win European club football's greatest prize for a fourth time.
Ancelotti was also in charge of Real when they won the 2014 final having also triumphed with AC Milan in 2003 and in 2007, the latter victory coming against Liverpool.
- Delayed kick-off -
The match kicked off 35 minutes later than the planned 9:00 pm (1900 GMT) start in the French capital after chaos at entrances to the stadium led to fans being unable to get to their seats.
UEFA said it was "sympathetic" towards those affected and put the huge build-ups of supporters at gates down to "thousands of fans who had purchased fake tickets which did not work in the turnstiles".
Tear gas was also fired by police as a small number of people could be seen trying to scale fences around the perimeter of the groud.
The final was only moved to the French capital after Saint-Petersburg was stripped of the game following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February.
The delayed kick-off may have been responsible for the slow start to the game itself, as it took 16 minutes before there was an incident of note, Mohamed Salah turning a low Trent Alexander-Arnold cross towards goal only for Courtois to save.
Liverpool were seen as favourites to avenge their loss to the Spanish giants in the 2018 final in Kyiv and they began to take control of the game.
Mane came agonisingly close to opening the scoring in the 21st minute as he skipped his way into a shooting position inside the box only for Courtois to tip his net-bound shot onto his right-hand post.
Klopp's side, with Fabinho and Thiago Alcantara starting in midfield after overcoming fitness worries, were on top but could not turn their superiority into a lead.
- Outstanding Courtois -
Real, meanwhile, created almost nothing in the first half with Karim Benzema quiet, but their captain briefly thought he had got the breakthrough two minutes before the interval.
The Frenchman prodded home after the ball broke back to him inside the area but the offside flag was raised.
The decision to disallow the goal was upheld after a lengthy VAR check, despite Fabinho deflecting Valverde's touch through to Benzema.
Yet Ancelotti's side kept their nerve and were rewarded with the goal as the hour mark approached.
Valverde drove forward down the right before firing a low ball across the face of goal for Vinicius to turn it in at the far post past his Brazilian national team colleague Alisson.
Just like in 2018, Real had drawn first blood, but this time there was no need for them to send on Gareth Bale in order to ensure victory.
Courtois was superb, flying to his right to keep out a Salah curler before two saves in quick succession late on.
First the Belgian got down low when substitute Diogo Jota deflected Salah's effort towards goal, and then he produced a strong arm to turn a Salah strike behind.
Vinicius Junior opens the scoring for Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League final!
Arsene Wenger has his say on Karim Benzema's first half goal which was eventually deemed offside following the VAR review.
Former referee Peter Walton says the goal could only have been given if Fabinho was deemed to have deliberately played the ball.
Half-time here in the UEFA Champions League final and there is nothing to separate the two sides.
The action gets underway at the Stade de France as Liverpool and Real Madrid battle it out for Champions League glory!
Further delays to kick-off in Paris. Here is more reaction from Richard Keys and Co. ahead of the UEFA Champions League final:
There are reports emerging that Liverpool fans are being teargassed outside the ground. Further updates as we receive them...
An update on the issues outside the ground and the delay to kick off here in Paris. It appears certain gates are closed and fans are unable to get in.
Will it be the comeback kings or the mentality monsters who prevail at the Stade de France? Watch the UEFA Champions League final LIVE on beIN SPORTS!
Just 15 minutes to go until kick off at the Stade de France!
Míchel Salgado is backing Real Madrid to get the job done tonight! Real Madrid are aiming to win the European Cup/UEFA Champions League for a record-extending 14th time, which would then be twice as many as any other team (7, AC Milan).
Tonight's finalists Real Madrid were long seen as the most likely destination for Kylian Mbappe until his Parc des Princes contract unveiling... Arsène Wenger weighs in on his decision to remain with the Parisians.
Carrie Brown is joined by former Liverpool man Luis Garcia for a look ahead to tonight's UEFA Champions League final!
Slight delay for the Liverpool coach as reported by beIN SPORTS' Carrie Brown - Klopp clearly not stressing.
One hour until kick off at the Stade de France! Why not check out our match preview while you are waiting...?
Always a pleasure to hear the thoughts of Le Professeur! Will Real Madrid's experience in the squad be the telling difference against Liverpool?
The Liverpool team news is in! Good news for Reds fans as Thiago and Fabinho both start for Jurgen Klopp's side.
Who will be joining us for all the buildup to tonight's showdown in Paris? Richard Keys and Andy Gray are joined by Arsene Wenger and Marcel Desailly as we gear up for Liverpool vs Real Madrid.
Six-time winners Liverpool take on record 13-time winners Real Madrid and kick off is fast approaching! Who are you backing to lift the Champions League trophy this evening? Vote in our poll below:
This should get Real Madrid fans and Los Blancos enthusiasts in the mood for tonight's final in Paris!
Of course the Liverpool fans are in fine voice for their Egyptian king!
beIN SPORTS' Carrie Brown and Jason McAteer take a closer look at what is sure to be a fascinating battle between Trent Alexander-Arnold and Vinicius Junior!
The Liverpool fans certainly look right up for it! Will this be the starting XI we see tonight...?
Liverpool Predicted Team:
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Thiago; Salah, Mane, Diaz
Real Madrid have announced their team news early ahead of tonight's encounter...
Real Madrid (4-3-3) Courtois; Carvajal, Eder Militao, Alaba, Mendy; Kroos, Casemiro, Modric; Valverde, Benzema, Vinicius Jr.
Substitutes: Lunin, Hazard, Nacho, Asensio, Marcelo, Lucas Vazquez, Bale, Dani Ceballos, Rodrygo, Camavinga, Isco, Mariano.
Good evening and welcome to tonight's live blog ahead of the UEFA Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid at the Stade de France. We will be bringing you updates throughout the evening on both our website and official social media channels!
Watch the final LIVE on beIN SPORTS!
