Real Madrid beats Atletico Madrid to win the Champions League in a thriller
For the tenth time in club history, Real Madrid is the champion of Europe.
Real Madrid beat Atlético Madrid 4-1 in extra time in Lisbon Saturday, in a game that was much closer than the final score would indicate.
Atlético Madrid gambled on starting Diego Costa and lost after he needed to come out after just nine minutes — the third quickest substitution in Champions League final history. Real Madrid controlled the opening half-hour of play, but a grave error from goalkeeper Iker Casillas gave Atlético a lead in the 36th minute.
Casillas, the Spain's No. 1 choice for the World Cup, misjudged a set piece and came off his line to disrupt a header from Diego Godin. When Godin looped the ball toward the goal, Casillas was unable to retreat in time.
Despite the goal, Real Madrid looked to be the stronger team for the majority of the second half, but Los Blancos simply couldn't beat Atlético goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale terrorized Atletico on the counter attack at times, but the final ball never found the target. Ronaldo's best chance came in the second half, when he struck the crossbar with a free kick. Courtois was able to guide it away from danger.
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Bale, meanwhile, squandered countless opportunities.
Paul Hanna/Reuters
Real Madrid had five minutes of stoppage time to find an equalizer, and Sergio Ramos emerged as the hero. Ramos headed a corner to the far post in the 93rd to send the game to extra time.
When the final whistle blew in regulation, Casillas ran over and gave Ramos a kiss for bailing him out.
Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters
Gareth Bale finally found the back of the net in the frantic second period of extra time. Looking to avoid penalties, Real Madrid pushed for a winner, and Ángel di María's tremendous run in the 110th set up Bale. Di María took the ball to the touchline and fired a shot that was deflected by Courtois, but Bale was there to head it home.
Marcelo added insurance just minutes later. Exasperated, Atlético allowed Marcelo to dribble 15 yards into the penalty area, where he calmly put a shot past Courtois.
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