Gareth Bale came off the bench to score one of the great goals in Champions League history and add to Loris Karius' personal ordeal by sealing Real Madrid's third consecutive European title with a 3-1 win over Liverpool.
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
Much of the pre-match build-up centred on the anticipated battle between star forwards Mohamed Salah and Cristiano Ronaldo in Kiev, but the duel was cut short before the half hour when Liverpool's talisman suffered an apparent shoulder injury.
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
The 25-year-old landed awkwardly on his left shoulder after grappling with Sergio Ramos and Ronaldo remained on the periphery throughout.
Step forward Bale.
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
With the game locked at 1-1 in the 64th minute and 122 seconds after replacing Isco – who earlier hit the crossbar – Bale scored and overhead kick of rare brilliance.
The opening goal six minutes into the second half was as farcical as the winner was fabulous – Karim Benzema the beneficiary of goalkeeping incompetence from Karius, much like he was against Bayern Munich and Sven Ulreich in the semi-finals.
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
Sadio Mane found a swift response for Liverpool but Bale, benched frequently on the big occasions this term, had other ideas.
Karius had no chance on that occasion but seven minutes from time he pushed the Welshman's speculative drive tamely into his net, confirming Madrid as European champions for the 13th time in their illustrious history.
