Real Madrid Beats Atletico In Penalties To Win 11th UEFA Champions League

Following a 1-1 draw, Real Madrid defeated Atletico Madrid 5-3 in penalties at San Siro Stadium in Milan on Saturday to win their 11th UEFA Champions League title.

Real Madrid Beats Atletico In Penalties To Win 11th UEFA Champions League

En route to Milan, Atletico had eliminated both Bayern Munich and Barcelona with early goals and strong defending. However, this time around it was Real, led by coach Zinedine Zidane, who scored quickly.

Real Madrid took the lead in the 14th minute thanks to a goal from Sergio Ramos. After a long-distance free kick from Toni Kroos, Gareth Bale flicked the ball to Ramos with a header. Ramos barely managed to touch it and put it past 23-year-old Slovenian Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak. 

With the goal, Ramos became the fifth player ever to score in two Champions League Finals, joining Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Samuel Eto’o and Raúl. 

Then in the 79th minute of the game, Atletico substitute Yannick Carrasco scored off a low cross from defender Juanfran to tie the game. The 22-year-old Belgian even ran up to his model girlfriend, Noemie Happart, who was in the stands, and gave her a kiss after the goal.

Following 30 scoreless minutes of extra time, the game went to penalties. Juanfran hit the post on Atletico’s fourth attempt, after both teams had scored all of their previous kicks. Ronaldo then stepped up to the spot for the chance to secure the title. The Portuguese did not fail on his opportunity, and as Oblak dove right, he drove the ball left and into the back of the net for the game-winning penalty-kick goal.

Per usual, Ronaldo removed his shirt in celebration as his teammates and coaches raced over to hug him and the Real fans at San Siro roared.

Both teams had several chances to score a second goal and win the game in regulation. Early in the second half, French forward Antoine Griezmann shot a penalty for Atletico that caromed off the crossbar. Atletico was awarded the penalty after Fernando Torres was fouled by Pepe in the box.

About 23 minutes later, Oblak made a big stop on a breakaway shot from Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema. 

Following the game, Ronaldo, 31, came after critics who said he put on a limp performance. The Portuguese called the critics “jealous,” and made sure to prove how far he believed that statement was from the truth.

Ronaldo has now won three Champions League titles and scored more than 50 goals for the sixth straight season with Real Madrid. He has also played more minutes than any other of his team-mates while the stunning tally of 16 goals makes him the highest scorer in the Champions League (his nearest rival Robert Lewandowski scored nine).

Only the jealous don’t feel that,” Ronaldo said. “But I don’t care about that. I always keep the people who love me. So this Champions League is for them, the guys who support me all the time, my fans in Portugal and around the world.”

He now has one less title than his rival, Lionel Messi of Barcelona. Messi has more league titles in his career, but Ronaldo has more Cups.

“To win my third Champions League, penalties again, is unbelievable,” the Portugal star added. “I was the top scorer in this competition again, I am so proud. We worked hard during the season to win this amazing trophy.”

MILAN, ITALY – MAY 28: Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid battles with Saul Niguez of Atletico Madrid during the UEFA Champions League Final match between Real Madrid and Club Atletico de Madrid at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on May 28, 2016 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

Article by Pablo Mena