TWO GOALS IN FOUR MINS
This final has burst into life…
REAL MADRID 1-1 LIVERPOOL
60: Free kick to Real Madrid as Modric is fouled by Robertson. They don’t make too much from it, though.
Meanwhile, Bale is being prepared for Real Madrid. He has been in superb form recently and Zidane is going for this.
REAL MADRID 1-1 LIVERPOOL
58: Uh oh, Mane is down now and looks a bit uncomfortable, but he is soon back on his feet.
GOAL! REAL MADRID 1-0 LIVERPOOL (Benzema, 51)
Oh. No. Karius should hang his head in shame with that clanger.
Kroos plays the ball over the top, searching for the on-running Benzema and it appears that Karius has it all covered, collecting the pass with both hands.
But Benzema is just slowing his forward run as Karius tries to release the ball too early, straight into the path o the striker who pokes the ball towards goal and it rolls – slowly – into the back of the net.
Henderson and Karius are remonstrating with the referee, but Benzema is not in the wrong in any way. All Karis, that one.
OptaJoe
✔@OptaJoe
4 – Karim Benzema has scored four goals against Liverpool in the Champions League; no player has managed more (also 4 for Didier Drogba). Gift.
REAL MADRID 0-0 LIVERPOOL
50: Free kick to Real Madrid as Marcelo is caught by Firmino. He just gets him on the toe, but you would think Fimrino had bulldozed into his Brazil team-mate with the reaction.
REAL MADRID 0-0 LIVERPOOL
49: OFF THE BAR!!! How has that not gone in?!
Marcelo dinks the ball into the area and it’s a terrible attempted clearance from Lallana – who tumbles over – that allows Isco to get onto the ball and hits home on the volley.
The technique is poor though as he catches it with his shin, and it smashes against the crossbar. The goal was wide open and despite the technique, he should be netting that.
Is it just not Real Madrid’s night?…
REAL MADRID 0-0 LIVERPOOL
47: A decent ball down the channel from Robertson as he picks out the run of Mane, but his flick back does not reach Lallana as Real Madrid eventually win the goal kick.
MISSING MO
OptaJoe
✔@OptaJoe
9 – Liverpool mustered nine shots in the first-half with Mohamed Salah on the pitch, and none after he was subbed off. Setback. #RMALIV
LOOKING FOR AN OMEN?
Vladimir Smicer replaced Harry Kewell 23 minutes into the Champions League final back in 2005.
The Czech international would go on to score during that memorable second-half comeback against AC Milan.
Could lightning strike twice with Lallana the unlikely hero?
REAL MADRID 0-0 LIVERPOOL
A goalless first half in Kiev that has been marred by injuries for both sides, with Mo Salah going off for Liverpool before Dani Carvajal was substituted for Real Madrid. Both players were in tears as they departed.
In terms of chances, Real Madrid have just shaded it you would argue and had the ball in the back of the net, but it was flagged for offside.
For Liverpool, Trent Alexander-Arnold went the closest and has forced a few saves from Keylor Navas. This tie is still firmly in the balance!
REAL MADRID 0-0 LIVERPOOL
45+3: A snapshot effort from Benzema as he lets fly from just outside the area, but it flashes past Karius’ post.
REAL MADRID 0-0 LIVERPOOL
45+2: Some good defending from Mane down the left as he muscles Marcelo off the ball before trying to get Liverpool forward.
REAL MADRID 0-0 LIVERPOOL
44: NO GOAL!! Benzema has the ball in the net but is flagged for offside!
Isco whips a great ball into the area, and Ronaldo gets his head onto it but it is straight at Karius who make a superb save. However, Benzema is waiting to net and does – but the offside flag is raised.
It’s the right decision too, as both players were offside in the build-up. On the touchline, Zidane quietly applauds the goal before realising it is offside, at which point, Klopp goes nuts. It could be a celebration, it could be at the defending. Not entirely sure.
REAL MADRID 0-0 LIVERPOOL
42: A great ball forward from Benzema on the left, picking out Benzema just outside the box, who slightly flicks the ball back for Ronaldo but the latter does not get the right control as Liverpool manage to clear.
REAL MADRID 0-0 LIVERPOOL
39: Good challenge from Van Dijk as he tracks Modric down the right flank, doing well to get in front of a cross from the Real Madrid midfielder.
Meanwhile, Carvajal finally makes his way down the tunnel. A bit of a cuddle from Salah perhaps?…
REAL MADRID 0-0 LIVERPOOL
37: A very enticing ball over the top from Milner there as he looks to pick out the forward run of Lallana, but it just runs too long and ends up in the hands of Navas.
REAL MADRID 0-0 LIVERPOOL
36: The stretcher is on for Carvajal but he looks to be OK to walk off although he will not be returning. Another gutting end to the season.
Possibly the most emotional Champions League final we’ve ever seen! Nacho is on for Real Madrid.
REAL MADRID 0-0 LIVERPOOL
34: Carvajal is down on the ground now, and he is also in tears. He looks to be distraught after being caught by Robertson.
REAL MADRID 0-0 LIVERPOOL
32: Ramos is being booed every time he gets on the ball now, all coming from Liverpool fans.
Marcelo fires a great ball into the area from the left flank as Real Madrid see the better of the ball, but some important defending from Lovren takes Ronaldo’s pass in the box away from Benzema.
REAL MADRID 0-0 LIVERPOOL
30: A lot of Liverpool players are over to the forward to comfort him and he really is emotional. Mane is ushering him off the field with an arm on his shoulder.
Salah is off and down the tunnel. A really sad affair for Salah after his superb season and it’s gutting for it to end in tears. Lallana is on in his place.
So, how will this affect Liverpool now?… We shall see.
REAL MADRID 0-0 LIVERPOOL
29: Oh no. This really isn’t good for Salah.
After the corner is delivered, the Egyptian goes to ground in floods of tears. It looks like he doesn’t feel like he can continue. It’s a very sad scene indeed.
REAL MADRID 0-0 LIVERPOOL
28: Good work from Mane there as he takes Varane and Carvajal right down to the baseline as the ball is poked out by the former Real Madrid defender. Varane is arguing with the referee but it’s the right decision.
REAL MADRID 0-0 LIVERPOOL
27: And breath Liverpool fans, Salah is back on his feet and back on the field.
REAL MADRID 0-0 LIVERPOOL
26: OUCH! This doesn’t look good for Liverpool fans… Salah and Ramos tussle and the Real Madrid captain is pulling the arm of the Liverpool man as they both go to ground, and Salah really looks to be in a bit of bother here.
Ramos rolls him over and Salah looks to have really hurt his shoulder. The medical team are on…
REAL MADRID 0-0 LIVERPOOL
25: STAT! It’s been a strong start from the Reds, with Jurgen Klopp’s side already having had seven shots on Navas’ goal compared to Madrid’s one from Ronaldo.
REAL MADRID 0-0 LIVERPOOL
24: SHOTS!! The best so far from Liverpool as Milner gets away down the left before pulling the ball back for Firmino in the middle. The Brazilian turns with the ball before shooting – but it goes straight into the body of Ramos.
The loose ball then lands to Alexander-Arnold on the right who hits a great effort, but Navas makes a brilliant low save to deny him the opener.
REAL MADRID 0-0 LIVERPOOL
23: Another good move from Liverpool but they are thwarted by the experience of Ramos as Firmino tries to slide Mane in down the left of the box, but the Real Madrid defender gets there first to see the ball away.
REAL MADRID 0-0 LIVERPOOL
22: Free kick for Real Madrid just inside their own area as Salah fouls Isco. They do not make too much from it though before winning another in a similar spot, but over on the other side as Milner goes into Carvajal.
The Real Madrid man makes a bit of a meal of it but gets the advantage.
REAL MADRID 0-0 LIVERPOOL
20: All you can hear are the Liverpool fans inside the Kiev Olympic Stadium at the moment and they have plenty to sing about with the Reds doing well so far.
REAL MADRID 0-0 LIVERPOOLÂ
19: A few final nerves from Carvajal perhaps? I think so as he plays a back pass into the Real Madrid area, but there is no one there to collect it and there could easily have been a red shirt there to poke home with only Ramos scrambling back.
However, Liverpool do win the first corner of the game, and Van Dijk nearly gets his head onto it towards the back post but Navas is just behind him to punch away the danger.
REAL MADRID 0-0 LIVERPOOL
17: A good defensive header from Robertson as Isco whips a cross in from the left-hand side, searching for Ronaldo, but the Liverpool defender heads away with ease.
REAL MADRID 0-0 LIVERPOOL
16: WIDE!! A superb run from Ronaldo, but the final finish is just lacking on this occasion.
Carvajal dinks a ball over the top of his defender before setting Ronaldo away down the right flank. The forward then cuts into the area before firing an absolute rocket – but it’s on a tight angle and goes flying over the crossbar.
Danger signs for Liverpool.
REAL MADRID 0-0 LIVERPOOL
14: SAVE! A decent save from Navas there as Alexander-Arnold whips in a cross from the right-hand side, but the Real Madrid goalkeeper punches it away.
REAL MADRID 0-0 LIVERPOOL
13: Real Madrid are seeing their time on the ball now, but they are yet to make too much from it, mostly constricted to their own half.
This comes to an end when Liverpool win the free kick on the halfway line as Kroos fouls Mane.
REAL MADRID 0-0 LIVERPOOL
11: A speculative effort from Marcelo there as he lets fly from just outside the area after getting away from Milner, but it flashes well wide of the post.
REAL MADRID 0-0 LIVERPOOL
10: It has been a superb start from Liverpool in Kiev, and they really are giving the Real Madrid defence something to think about early on.
Can they make the early pressure count?…
REAL MADRID 0-0 LIVERPOOL
8: CLOSE! Another good move forward from Liverpool as Firmino’s header bounces off the shoulder of Ramos before nearly making it to Alexander-Arnold, but Ramos is out to smother the loose ball before the defender can strike.
REAL MADRID 0-0 LIVERPOOL
7: What a superb ball from Firmino! He plays the ball in behind the Real Madrid defence, trying to pick out Mane through the middle and he nearly succeeds, but Varane is tracking the latter well and manages to skew the ball away along with the helping hands of Navas.
REAL MADRID 0-0 LIVERPOOL
6: An interesting free kick routine as Salah runs past the ball to the middle of the area and is fed the ball by Milner. He strikes, but it hammers into the body of Modric before going clear.
REAL MADRID 0-0 LIVERPOOL
5: Free kick to Liverpool around 20 yards from goal over on the right as Marcelo fouls Salah… Can they make this count? Milner and Salah over it.
REAL MADRID 0-0 LIVERPOOL
4: A lovely passage of play from Liverpool as they work the ball across the top of the area, with Salah picking out the run of Alexander-Arnold down the right of the field.
The youngster then whips a cross into the area, but Varane does well to see it behind.
REAL MADRID 0-0 LIVERPOOL
3: OFFSIDE! A first test for Karius and he does fairly well, coming off him line to punch a Carvajal cross away from the path of a waiting Isco in the middle.
However, the offside flag is raised against the Real Madrid man as Liverpool win the advantage.
REAL MADRID 0-0 LIVERPOOL
2: Well this has started with a bit of fire! Marcelo bundles Salah off the ball as the Liverpool man tries to make his way into the box, before Lovren leaves one on Ronaldo over on the touchline.
Just letting him know, he’s there, of course…
REAL MADRID 0-0 LIVERPOOL
1: Here we go ladies and gents, the moment is finally here as Liverpool get us underway in Kiev!
ON THE FIELD…
There is a scene on the pitch with a ball being rotated in the middle of the pitch with large shirts either side being held up. They better scoot off sharpish, there’s a game to play here!
The Champions League theme plays and is being performed by a set of cellists. Salah smiles as the camera passes and Ronaldo looks steely…
HERE COME THE TEAMS
Sergio Ramos and Jordan Henderson lead the two sides out into the Kiev Olympic Stadium to an absolute cauldron of noise. I know it’s a cliche but it really is loud inside the ground, with plenty of support for the Reds this evening.
Before they walk out of the tunnel, there’s a bit of a glance from Cristiano Ronaldo over to Mohamed Salah… Who will triumph this evening?
REAL MADRID 3-1 LIVERPOOL
It’s all over in Kiev and Loris Karius is devastated in the Liverpool goal, with even more tears from him and Dejan Lovren too.
In fairness to the Real Madrid players, they are over to the Liverpool players to try and comfort them before celebrating together.
Karim Benzema opened the scoring for Real Madrid after a horrendous clanger from Karius before Sadio Mane levelled things up not long after.
Gareth Bale then produced two incredible strikes – the first in particular a brilliant overhead kick – to seal the victory, although Karius should have saved the second.
REAL MADRID WIN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FOR A THIRD SEASON IN A ROW.
REAL MADRID 3-1 LIVERPOOL
90+3: Ronaldo is not a happy man as play is stopped as he shapes to shoot, with a pitch invader on the field. He is removed as the whistle goes and the last goal is not needed!
REAL MADRID 3-1 LIVERPOOL
90+2: Ronaldo is yet to score this evening and eyes his own strike as Asensio whips a ball into the area, but Van Dijk puts it behind for a corner.
REAL MADRID 3-1 LIVERPOOL
90+1: Alexander-Arnold delivers, but it doesn’t beat the first man as Real Madrid head it away.
JOY AND DESPAIR…
REAL MADRID 3-1 LIVERPOOL
90: Free kick to Liverpool over on the let, around 20 yards from goal. Alexander-Arnold is instantly over to it.
Three minutes added on here…
REAL MADRID 3-1 LIVERPOOL
88: Nacho is down in the area after a collision with Firmino, but he looks to be OK to continue.
Meanwhile, Benzema – who has certainly played his part tonight – is replaced by Asensio.
REAL MADRID 3-1 LIVERPOOL
REAL MADRID 3-1 LIVERPOOL
86: Just after the goal, Bale looked to be through for his hat-trick but it takes a superb tackle from Lovren to see the ball behind.
Bale is after that magic number three and there is still plenty of time…
GOAL! REAL MADRID 3-1 LIVERPOOL (Bale, 83)
Well, combine the first two Real Madrid goals and that’s pretty much what we have for this one.
It’s another absolutely sumptuous strike from Bale – you can’t take anything away from him there – as he picks up the ball in the middle of the park and has acres of space to strike.
Karius gets hands onto the ball but it slips through his fingers like butter and lands into the back of the net. He should have saved that really, he was 99 per cent of the way there, and it’s another mistake this evening.
REAL MADRID 2-1 LIVERPOOL
69: Ramos seems to have done himself a mischief as he stretches ahead of Mane to get a ball out wide, and appears to have a bit of cramp in the process.
Milner delivers another corner but Navas punches away the danger.
REAL MADRID 2-1 LIVERPOOL
68: The stadium has gone quite quiet now, compared to a few minutes ago anyhow!
It may be because Liverpool are behind or it may be a pure state of shock after Bale’s stunning strike. Maybe both.
GOAL! REAL MADRID 2-1 LIVERPOOL (Bale, 63)
WHAT A GOAL! From the silly to the sublime for Real Madrid, and you do not get better than that.
Marcelo crosses in from the left flank and it is the most perfect overhead kick from Bale that sends the ball flying into the back of the net. Credit to Karius, no one saves those.
Sensational from the Welshman just two minutes after coming on. That is a Champions League-winning goal.
REAL MADRID 1-1 LIVERPOOL
61: SAVE! A brilliant save from Karius and that will do his confidence the world of good.
Nacho sends a great cross into the box, with Isco taking a touch before shooting, but Karius guesses the angle well and dives to keep the effort out.
Isco is then substituted, being replaced by Bale.