Real Madrid celebrated their 14th European Cup/Champions League crown at the Stade de France in Paris.
It was another triumph for Los Blancos who now have double the number of titles of the second-best (AC Milan) and more than the total of all the British clubs.
Somehow Real found a way to engineer a victory this season despite often being the less favoured club.
And usually having to recover from losing positions.
On a night when there were serious issues in accessing the stadium, particularly for the Liverpool fans, the game began over 30 minutes late.
In somewhat subdued circumstances and without the usual vibrant atmosphere.
The players had to return for a second warmup, which did mean Tiago, otherwise a doubt, did take his place in the Liverpool lineup.
Predictably the Merseysiders began with a pressing style against what could be a vulnerable Spanish defence.
And both Salah and especially Mane would soon test Courtois in the opposition goal.
The latter seeing a good save by the Belgian goalie diverted onto the post.
Nothing much happened at the other end as Madrid absorbed the pressure.
That was until near the end of the half when a break involving Benzema resulted in some panic in the Reds defence. The ball broke to the striker who ‘scored’, only for the effort to be ruled out (belatedly) by VAR.
However, it was a warning for Klopp’s team.
Whereas Liverpool certainly had the better of the first period the second was different.
Though Salah would present a threat his shot was blocked.
At 58 minutes the outcome was decided when a driven cross by Valverde reached Vinicius Junior at the far post and he converted.
The talented Brazilian was always a danger and this time he had eluded Alexander-Arnold.
Real, and their substitutes, celebrated wildly.
They had withstood the earlier Liverpool pressure and created the once chance they needed.
Though the EPL runners up would go close through Salah, bringing out some excellent saves by Courtois, it felt the game was decided.
And Madrid might have scored another on the break before Alisson came out to block.
So Carlo Ancelotti had managed what seemed, particularly when they lost at home to Sheriff in the group phase, a very unlikely victory.
But his tactics and their ability to fight back with high quality forwards enabled yet another triumph.
The UCL team of the season would include Benzema, Modric, Vinicius, and the final hero, Courtois from the winning team.
In this final, it was the experience, sang froid, and enduring talent that delivered for the Spaniards.
While for Liverpool they still had two domestic cups to enjoy despite not quite realising an unprecedented quadruple.
Report & Analysis - John Bethell
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