NEW FOOTBALL RECORD
Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as
Real Madrid retained the Champions League in scintillating style by
overwhelming Juventus in Cardiff.
Real's record 12th triumph in
this competition - and third in four seasons - was predictably
orchestrated by Ronaldo, who has now scored in three different Champions
League finals.
Ronaldo stopped a bright Juve opening in its
tracks as he swept in Dani Carvajal's pass after 20 minutes, before
Mario Mandzukic levelled with one of the great Champions League final
goals, firing a sublime overhead kick beyond Real goalkeeper Keylor
Navas.
Real were unstoppable after the break, restoring their lead
through Casemiro's deflected shot before Ronaldo scored at the near
post from a cross by the outstanding Luka Modric.
Juventus' misery increased when substitute Juan Cuadrado was sent off for a second caution after a clash with Sergio Ramos, before substitute
Marco Asensio emphasised Real's superiority with a precise finish in the
last minute.
Real coach Zinedine Zidane has now won back-to-back Champions Leagues - as well as this season's La Liga title since he took charge in january 2016
Ronaldo cut a frustrated figure early in the match, gesturing to
German referee Felix Brych about what he perceived as some rough
treatment.
But he ended the night as Real's hero, winning his
third Champions League winners' medal for the Spanish club and fourth in
total, as the 32-year-old continues to write new chapters in his
glittering career.
On display in Cardiff were all the facets that
make him an all-time great - pace, desire, anticipation, technique - as
he helped Real dismantle a Juve defence that conceded just three goals
in 1,080 minutes en route to the final.
Ronaldo's first was an
instant sweeping finish beyond the outstretched right arm of Gianluigi
Buffon while the second showed the touch of a poacher, moving like
lightning beyond static Juve defenders to guide in an emphatic near-post
finish.
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