Real Madrid became the first team to defend and retain the UEFA Champions League and secure an unprecedented 12th European crown. Christiano Ronaldo also made history as the first player to score in three finals.
In an enthralling finals played at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff Wales, Real Madrid thrashed Juventus 4 – 1 to lift the crown.
No side had won consecutive European Cups since AC Milan in 1989 and 1990, and Madrid were set on their way by Ronaldo's deflected opener midway through the first half – their 500th goal in the competition. Mario Mandžukić quickly brought Juventus level seven minutes later with a stunning finish. The first ended in a 1 – 1 stalemate.
Zinedine Zidane tutored side looked stronger thereafter and two goals in four minutes, from Casemiro and Ronaldo, and a late fourth by substitute Marco Asensio, clinched their third crown in four years. Juventus misery increased when substitute Juan Cuadrado was controversially sent off for a second caution after a clash with Sergio Ramos.
It was however, a remarkable evening for Christiano Ronaldo, his first goal was an instant sweeping move to finish off a Dani Carvajal cross. His second of the night was a real poacher’s instinct, moving like lighting between two Juventus defenders to latch onto a Luka Modric quick footwork in an emphatic move finished with a touch of class.
Cristiano Ronaldo gave a man of the match performance and his enviable record is simply remarkable, Portuguese striker, two goals gave him his fourth UEFA Champions League final victory, made him the first player to score in three finals (all won), and made it 600 career goals for club and country. Oh, and he finished as the UEFA Champions League's top scorer for the fifth year in a row with 12 goals, ten of which have come from the quarter-finals onwards.
