BALE STRIKES IN EXTRA-TIME AS REAL THUMP ATLETICO TO WIN LA DECIMA



Gareth Bale struck in extra-time as Real Madrid came from behind to beat Atletico Madrid 4-1 and claim a 10th Champions League crown in Lisbon.
The Welsh forward nodded in a rebound at the far post to put Carlo Ancelotti's side in the driving seat after Sergio Ramos' last-gasp equaliser had cancelled out Diego Godin's opener.
Atletico had overcome the early loss of talismanic frontman, Diego Costa to his much-talked about hamstring injury to move within a whisker of their first ever Champions League title.
But Real recovered and rubbed salt in their wounds late on as Marcelo drilled in from distance before Cristiano Ronaldo netted a penalty at the death to claim La Decima.

KEY MOMENTS
PRE-MATCH: Costa and Ronaldo start. Diego Costa is the talk of the press box after being named in Atletico's starting XI just a week after picking up a hamstring problem. Cristiano Ronaldo also starts for Real following fears over his fitness in recent weeks.
9' - HUGE BLOW FOR ATLETICO. The horse placenta experiment does not pay dividends as the hamstrung Diego Costa is substituted after just nine minutes.
33' - REAL MADRID CHANCE! Gareth Bale finds space and races into the area, but he delays his shot and eventually miscues inches wide of the far post. That was a big, big opportunity for the former Spurs man.
36' - GOAL! Real Madrid 0-1 Atletico Madrid. A corner is headed back into the mix, leading to a huge error from Iker Casillas who comes off his line, allowing Godin to flick a header over the keeper and into the net!
57' - ATLETICO MADRID CHANCE! Real fail to deal with another cross from the left and it falls for Lopez who sees his shot flash just wide via deflection. Atletico so close to doubling their lead.
62' - REAL CHANCE! Ramos pushes forward from the back and whips in a cross from the left that Ronaldo is inches away from heading home. So, so close!
78' - BIG MISS! Bale spins clear down the right and cuts into the area. The Welshman has Benzema square but opts to flick an outside of the foot shot into the side netting.
90+3' - GOAL! Real Madrid 1-1 Atletico Madrid. Incredible! Real are back from the dead! Ramos, the hero from the semi final win over Bayern, does it again as he rises highest to thump a header into the far corner. Atletico see victory snatched away at the death. Here comes extra time.
110' - GOAL! Real Madrid 2-1 Atletico Madrid. Bale heads home what will surely be the winner at the far post after Di Maria's run and shot was thwarted by Courtois.
118' - GOAL! Real Madrid 3-1 Atletico Madrid. Real clinch La Decima. Marcelo picks up the ball and surges forward before drilling a low shot into the net via the hand of Courtois.
120' GOAL! Real Madrid 4-1 Atletico Madrid. Ronaldo makes no mistake from the spot. It's now 4-1 and it's party time for Real.

TALKING POINT
What a season for Gareth Bale! The Welshman was out of sorts at times tonight but was in the right place to get the all-important second goal for Real and set them on their way to glory. The former Spurs man has fully justified Real's outlay on him with a winner in the Copa del Rey final and now a big hand in the holy grail that is 'La Decima'.

KEY STATS

Diego Godin is the first Uruguayan to score in a Champions League final.
Carlo Ancelotti becomes only the second manager to win three European Cup/Champions League titles after Bob Paisley who won all three with Liverpool (1977, 1978, 1981).
Cristiano Ronaldo’s 17 goals in a single European Cup/Champions League campaign is a record. Ronaldo has scored 38 goals in his last 30 Champions League games.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid): The defender embodies the spirit of Real Madrid and would not let their La Decima dream die. He was the hero in the semi-final against Bayern and stepped up to the plate with a crucial last-gasp equaliser that gave his side the platform to go on and secure glory in extra-time.

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