Cardiff: Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Real Madrid retained the Champions League in scintillating style by overwhelming Juventus in Cardiff on Saturday night.
Real’s record 12th triumph in this competition – and third in four seasons – was predictably orchestrated by Ronaldo, who has now scored in three different Champions League finals.
Ronaldo stopped a bright Juve opening in its tracks as he swept in Dani Carvajal’s pass after 20 minutes, before Mario Mandzukic levelled with one of the great Champions League final goals, firing a sublime overhead kick beyond Real goalkeeper Keylor Navas.
Real were unstoppable after the break, restoring their lead through Casemiro’s deflected shot before Ronaldo scored at the near post from a cross by the outstanding Luka Modric.
Juventus’ misery increased when substitute Juan Cuadrado was sent off for a second caution after a clash with Sergio Ramos, before substitute Marco Asensio emphasised Real’s superiority with a precise finish in the last minute.
Real coach Zinedine Zidane has now won back-to-back Champions Leagues – as well as this season’s La Liga title – since he took charge in January 2016.
Ronaldo cut a frustrated figure early in the match, gesturing to German referee Felix Brych about what he perceived as some rough treatment.
But he ended the night as Real’s hero, winning his third Champions League winners’ medal for the Spanish club and fourth in total, as the 32-year-old continues to write new chapters in his glittering career.
On display in Cardiff were all the facets that make him an all-time great – pace, desire, anticipation, technique – as he helped Real dismantle a Juve defence that conceded just three goals in 1,080 minutes en route to the final.
The Portugal captain now has a remarkable record of 105 goals in 140 Champions League games – 12 of those coming in just 13 games this season.
Juventus had performed with such distinction in this Champions League that many experts understandably had them as favourites – instead they ended heavily beaten by a ruthless and wonderfully gifted side.
And most sympathy will go to Buffon, a three-time loser at 39 years and 126 days and whose expression at the conclusion suggested he knows another chance could be beyond him.
Juve, though, can have no complaints and have now lost five Champions League finals since they last won the competition in 1996.
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