Real Madrid win 2016/2017 Champions League

Real Madrid successfully retained their champions League trophy when they beat Juventus 4-1 in an enthralling game in Cardiff.

This result means Madrid have won the title for a record twelfth time, while also becoming the first team in the history of the Champions League to win the trophy in two consecutive years.

Juventus looked to be on the front foot during the first quarter of the first half. Serbian international Mirallem Pjanic drew a brilliant save from Keylor Navas in the seventh minute as he shot a fierce ball towards the bottom left corner of the goal.

Madrid survived the early scares and settled in a good passing rhythm which culminated in the first goal of the game. An intricate passing move ended with a quick one-two between Cristiano Ronaldo and Daniel Carvajal which the former finished off with panache as he ghosted into the Juventus box to coolly slot in Madrid’s first of the night on the 20th minute mark.

Juventus responded quickly by piling on the pressure. The pressure told in the 27th minute. A lovely weighted ball floated into the Madrid box by Sandro was poked by Higuain to Mandzukic. The Croat collected with his chest and with his back to goal, unleashed a dinking half-volley that flew past Navas into the Madrid goal.

The first half ended one all.

The Galaticos took the game by the scruff in the second half, pinning the Old Ladies in their half for most of the opening minutes. A deflected Casemiro shot in the 61st minute gave Madrid the lead again.

The lead was quickly doubled by Cristiano Ronaldo in a typical leathal-poacher style. A dangerous cross swung in from the right was tucked home by the Madrid number 9 to almost put the tie to bed.

Any hope of a Juventus comeback was effectively snuffed out when Juan Cuadrado was sent off in 84th for a second bookable offence.

Marcos Asensio provided the icing on the cake with smart finish from inside the box after lovely work from Marcelo.

The result was heartbreak for Juventus as they failed again to successfully claim a treble of trophies in a single season. It was an especially sad moment for veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon who failed to collect the Champions League winners’ medal; the only missing piece in his glittering medal collection.

But for Zidane’s Real Madrid, it is history as they successfully defend the Champions League trophy.

Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo’s first goal meant that the Galaticos scored in every single game they played this season; a total of 68 games.

 

 

 

Source: Newsghana.com.gh

 

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