Real Madrid were crowned UEFA Champions League winners after they defeated Liverpool one nil in Paris. 

Manager Carlo Ancelotti rewrote the Champions League history books as Vinicius Junior’s second-half goal clinched the win against Jurgen Klopp’s side to secure a record 14th success for Real and make Ancelotti the first coach to win four European Cups.

However,  while Vinicius’ goal was the decisive moment, Real owed their victory to goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who made a succession of crucial saves throughout the game. The former Chelsea keeper kept out efforts from Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane during the early stages, pushing a Mane shot onto the post as Liverpool attempted to capitalize on a bright start to the game. 

Real avenged their 1981 European Cup final defeat against Liverpool in the French capital and also stretched their incredible winning record in the competition. Real’s 14 European Cups is now twice as many as AC Milan, which stand second in the rankings with seven titles. Liverpool remain on six having last won the competition in 2019.

Coach Ancelotti now moves ahead of Liverpool’s Bob Paisley and Real’s Zinedine Zidane as the most successful coach by winning it a fourth time. The Italian won two with AC Milan, in 2003 and 2007, before adding another two with Real in 2014 and now 2022.