Real Madrid are European Champions yet again after edging a tight Champions League final against Liverpool 1-0.
It was a match marred by controversial moments both on and off the pitch.
The game itself was delayed by 30 mins due to disturbing crowd trouble outside the stadium. Once the game got underway, Real thought they had gotten a breakthrough when just before halftime Karim Benzema swept home the opener, only for the goal to be disallowed for offside after a lengthy review by VAR.
In the second half the game started to become stretched as both sides searched for that elusive opening goal.
It would be Real Madrid who would get it.
After some neat play by Luka Modrić, the Croatian released Federico Valverde. Valverde, who was excellent all game, drove at the Liverpool defence and fired a low cross into the box where Vinícius Jr ghosted in behind the Liverpool defence to tap home the ball into an empty net. The Brazilian became the 5th youngest scorer and first player born this century to score in the Champions League final.
Liverpool desperately tried to find the equaliser but were kept at bay thanks to some superb goalkeeping by man of the match Thibaut Courtois.
Vinícius Jr has shown this season that he is one of the most exciting prospects in world football. Set to play a huge part in Brazil’s World Cup campaign, Vinícius Jr is ready to take the world by storm.
