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Real Madrid reign supreme, wins record 12th European crown

by June 3rd, 2017

Real Madrid are champions of Europe for a record 12th time after beating Juventus 4-1 to win the 2017 EUFA Champions League title.

Ronaldo put Real ahead with a first-time finish from 16 yards in the 20th minute before Mario Mandzukic equalised for Juventus from just inside the area with a sensational overhead kick 7 minutes later.

Brazilian midfielder Casemiro’s deflected shot the restored the lead before Ronaldo sealed victory for Zinedine Zidane’s side after poking home from close range following Luka Modric’s cross.

Juventus played the last six minutes with 10 men after substitute Juan Cuadrado was booked twice inside 18 minutes, before substitute Marco Asensio hit the fourth after Marcelo’s fine pass.

The result sees Real Madrid becoming the first team to win back to back Champions League titles and the first to retain the European title in consecutive seasons since AC Milan in 1989-1990.

Ronaldo meanwhile also become the first player to score in three UEFA Champions League finals.

The 32 year old made history with that opener and then his second ensured he overtook Lionel Messi as this season’s competition top scorer on 12, and took his UEFA Champions League-record career tally to 105.

Ronaldo had previously scored a late penalty for Madrid when they beat Atlético 4-1 after extra time in Lisbon three years ago and also registered in Manchester United’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea in Moscow in 2008, though he missed in the shoot-out win. Sergio Ramos also scored in the 2014 final and repeated the trick last year.

Raúl González had been the first player to find the net in two UEFA Champions League finals, for Real Madrid in 2000 and 2002, with Samuel Eto’o matching him in Barcelona’s victories in 2006 and 2009. Messi, meanwhile, struck against Manchester United both in Rome in 2009 and at Wembley in 2011.

In European Cup terms, Alfredo Di Stéfano remains out in front having played and scored in the competition’s first five finals, all won by Madrid.

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