Cristiano Ronaldo, having handed Real Madrid their 11th UEFA Champions League title, by converting the decisive attempt during the penalty shootout, said he had a vision that he will score the winning penalty in the final.
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Antonie Griezmann smashed a penalty against the crossbar within minutes of the restart and Atleti continued to press until Carrasco crashed in Juanfran’s delicious cross from close range to force extra time.
The teams could not be separated over 120 minutes, with Yannick Carrasco cancelling out Sergio Ramos’ early opener for Real as it finished 1-1.
Real Madrid now have 11 European Cup titles to their name, ahead of Italian side AC Milan who have seven.
After seeing another Champions League final slip through their grasp, Atletico Madrid captain Gabi is convinced the three-time runners-up will bounce back to win Europe’s premier club competition.
Teammate Isco also revelled in the victory, saying he was proud of the team’s effort to keep going until the very last minute, and revealed he wants to stay at the club to help Real win more silverware. It’s not easy at all. “His arrival was really important for us because he has a great relationship with the players”, Ramos said. Real Madrid won 5-4 on penalties after the match ended 1-1 after extra time.
Atletico, meanwhile, suffered their third heartbreaking defeat in a European Cup final, with Diego Simeone missing out on the opportunity to win every major honour available since taking charge of the club.
Had Ronaldo found the net in the final, he would have equalled his own record for goals in a single Champions League campaign.
“Nearly five months after his appointment, Zinedine Zidane clinched the Champions League after a stifling match”, is the sub-headline.
Atletico raised its game after Griezmann’s miss but the clearest shooting chance for defender Stefan Savic also failed to force a save from Navas.
“In six years I’m scoring more than 50 goals, but I am asking for more”.
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Sunday evening was a slightly more formal affair with the Champions League trophy presented to Manuela Carmena the Mayor of Madrid at the Madrid City Hall and Cristina Cifuentes, the President of the Community of Madrid.
