Liverpool have won the Champions League after Mohamed Salah and Divock Origi ensured a 2-0 victory over Tottenham.
Thousands descended on Madrid for a legacy-defining encounter at the end of a scarcely-believable continental campaign, with both sides narrowly making it through the group stage and then completing jaw-dropping semi-final wins.
And Liverpool would emerge victorious as Salah struck from the penalty spot inside two minutes before super-sub Origi confirmed the Reds’ sixth European crown in the closing stages.
On a tense night of few chances, Tottenham were left stunned when referee Damir Skomina awarded Liverpool a penalty barely 20 seconds into the showdown in Madrid.
Moussa Sissoko was adjudged to have handled inside the box after the ball struck his outstretched arm from point-blank range.
And Salah banished his painful memories from last year’s final in Kiev by slamming the ball past Hugo Lloris.
Spurs recovered from the early shock and grew into the tie, especially in the second-half, but they failed to truly test Alisson.
And just after one semi-final hero spurned a glorious chance to equalise, another put the game to bed.
Lucas Moura fluffed his lines when the ball fell to him six yards out, before Origi fired a superb left-footed effort past the helpless Lloris.
The triumph in Madrid caps off a remarkable season for Liverpool, which threatened to end without silverware after they were pipped to the Premier League title by Manchester City.
Instead, 14 years on from that memorable night in Istanbul, they have their first major trophy for seven years.
It will be particularly special for Jurgen Klopp, who had lost the final twice previously, as he delivers his first piece of silverware for Liverpool.
Tottenham, reaching the final for the first time, ultimately failed to shine on the biggest night in their history – and Mauricio Pochettino’s long search for a major honour continues.
The surprise start seemed to elevate the tension inside the ground, leading to a mistake-ridden opening period devoid of much quality.
Wayward efforts by Sissoko and Christian Eriksen were the best Spurs could muster as they failed to get the best out of star turn Kane, who had just 11 touches in the first half.
Pochettino’s men were unable to create clear-cut chances during the moments they were on top, but Liverpool were also struggling and only really threatened from distance.
Trent Alexander-Arnold fizzed an effort just wide and towards the end of the first half fellow full-back Andy Robertson saw a thumping effort tipped over by Lloris.
The second half got under way with a little more intensity but precious little extra class early on.
Origi and Moura came on as the managers turned to the heroes of their respective semi-final triumphs, but it was another substitute who went close to scoring in the 69th minute.
Mane ghosted through and Salah laid off for James Milner, whose low shot was just wide of the post. Toby Alderweireld’s last-gasp tackle prevented Mane getting away a close-range effort soon after as play became stretched.
Dele Alli’s audacious chipped effort brought groans from the Spurs faithful, who were being frustrated by a Liverpool defence led by man-of-the-match Virgil van Dijk.
Alli headed over when Spurs did find a gap, while Alisson denied Son Heung-min and then Moura.
An Eriksen free-kick drew another decent stop from the Brazilian, but with three minutes remaining Liverpool doubled their lead and wrapped up the victory.
Semi-final hero Origi found space in the box and struck a well-placed shot beyond the reach of Lloris and into the bottom corner.
Manager reaction
Jurgen Klopp: “I’m so happy for the boys, I’m so happy for all these people – our fans. I’m so happy for my family, they suffer every year when we go to a final on the last game of the season and we lose it.
“So they deserve it more than anybody. They are so supportive like they [the fans] are. Did you ever see a team like this?
“Fighting with absolutely no fuel in the tank anymore, both teams obviously, Tottenham came up and changed offensively.
“And then you have a goalkeeper who is making difficult things look easy. It’s unbelievable, what a night!
“The night will be much better now. We have to do a few interviews, then show the cup off to the people, but it is maybe the best night of my life.”
Mauricio Pochettino: “We are so disappointed. We are so proud. Our players and our fans gave everything in the final game of the season.
“Overall I thought we dominated the game and created some chances, but we didn’t score.
“It was so painful but at the same time we need to be calm in the way that we analyse things. We did so well this season.
“I want to congratulate Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp and their players. They made a fantastic season.
“We need to be clever now and after a very painful game like this it’s about being building for the next period of your life.”
MATCH STATS AND FACTS
- Liverpool have won their sixth European Cup – that is twice as many as any other English team have ever won (Manchester United next on three wins).
- Klopp is the fourth Liverpool manager to win the European Cup, after Bob Paisley, Joe Fagan and Rafael Benitez.
- Klopp is the fifth German manager to win the European Cup, after Dettmar Cramer, Jupp Heynckes, Ottmar Hitzfeld and Udo Latte.
- Pochettino has lost both of his major finals as Tottenham manager, also losing the League Cup final against Chelsea in 2015.
- Liverpool (35.4%) are the first side to win the Champions League final despite having less possession than the opposition since Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan beat Bayern Munich in 2010.
Maurizio Sarri has reportedly reached an agreement to leave Chelsea and manage Juventus next season. It's claimed that the Italian boss, who has been at Stamford Bridge for just one year, will return to his home country after being tempted with a mega deal from the Serie A champions.
Chelsea transfer news: Maurizio Sarri reaches agreement with
Apr 29, 2019 · Over 8,000 fans witnessed Orient's promotion to the English Football League. sits the home of Leyton Orient, a football club playing in the fifth tier of English football. it was the end
Apr 16, 2019 · Why Manchester United's board have to back Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the transfer window. Why Manchester United's board have to back Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the transfer window. spend it wisely
Excitement continues to grow around the eighth edition of the FIFA Women's World Cup™, which will be held in France next year, and today the match schedule for the tournament was presented to
PHOTOS: Thursday at the 2018 Ryder Cup - golfweek.com
Arsenal legend David Seaman fears his old club has no chance of catching Tottenham in the Premier League this season and will be forced to cheer on Mauricio Pochettino's side in tonight's London
Tony Cascarino picks his Premier League Team of the Year
Chelsea transfer news: Olivier Giroud admits doubts over
Agent of Trabzonspor keeper Ugurcan Cakir confirms Reds
fussboll.com/2019/05/16/agent-of-trabzonspor-keeper-ugurcan-cakir-confirms-reds-interest//
Liverpool have stepped up their interest in Trabzonspor's young goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir, according to the player's agent.. The 23-year-old has been impressive this season and has caught the eye of several European clubs for his assured displays between the sticks in the Turkish top flight.
Liverpool transfer news: Agent of Trabzonspor keeper Ugurcan
Manchester City increase season ticket prices by three per cent for 2019/20 and most expensive will now cost £950; WAFU Cup draw sets up Nigeria v Togo grudge match; Champions League final: Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp's finals misery; Olivier Giroud appears to mock former club after Chelsea Europa League win and Piers Morgan is not happy
Leicester City transfer news: Brendan Rodgers confident of permanent deal for Youri Tielemans despite Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United interest Saturday, 30 March 2019 Leicester City are confident they can sign Youri Tielemans on a permanent deal despite interest from Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United.
Brendan Rodgers: Leicester Eager to Keep Youri Tielemans Amid
May 27, 2019 · Aston Villa in Premier League heaven with Wembley play-off win over Derby Prince William and John Carew hugged one another in the stands while Jack Grealish and his teammates celebrated wildly
Aston Villa 2-1 Derby County: Prince William and John Carew
A debate over Chelsea's ownership will continue to rage on the back of comments from Britain's richest man Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who has opened up on his potential interest in buying the club. Ratcliffe admits he is still a 'tortured' Manchester United fan but has been linked with a takeover of the Blues.
Manchester United fan and Britain's richest man Sir Jim
Battle to 'avoid' Champions League heats up, Cardiff City on the brink - What we learnt from this weekend's Premier League action by: 161385360554578 — Talk Sport 28 Apr It's crunch time in the Premier League as a thrilling season enters its final weeks. This weekend raised a number of talking points.
Olivier Giroud has hinted he could return to France after Chelsea's loan signing of Gonzalo Higuain pushed him down the pecking order. Giroud has scored once in the Premier League this season • Sports • One News Page: Monday, 28 January 2019
Chelsea news live: Coach admits interest in Blues defender, €
Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri unsure over Gonzalo Higuain's
No comments:
Post a Comment