29 May 2016

Real Madrid beat Atletico Madrid

10:05 am on 29 May 2016

Real Madrid were crowned champions of Europe for the 11th time after defeating Atletico Madrid in a dramatic penalty shootout in Milan.

Real Madrid's Spanish defender Sergio Ramos lifts the trophy after Real Madrid won the UEFA Champions League final football match over Atletico Madrid.

Real Madrid's Spanish defender Sergio Ramos lifts the trophy after Real Madrid won the UEFA Champions League final football match over Atletico Madrid. Photo: AFP

Sergio Ramos' controversial finish put Zinedine Zidane's side ahead before Atletico striker Antoine Griezmann missed a penalty.

However, substitute Yannick Carrasco sent the Champions League final into extra-time with a close-range finish.

Cristiano Ronaldo struck the winning penalty after Juanfran had missed.

Zidane's tactics deliver silverware

Zidane, a Champions League winner with Real as a player in 2002, replaced Rafael Benitez as manager at the Bernabeu in January, with Real still reeling from a bruising 4-0 hammering by Barcelona earlier in the season and facing the prospect of a second successive campaign without major silverware.

The 43-year-old finishes it as the seventh different manager to deliver a European Cup to Real's hierarchy.

As stylish as his side were going forward, they were just as impressive at the back as Atletico's attacking duo of Griezmann and Fernando Torres were starved of service before the interval.

Gareth Bale and Ronaldo repeatedly dropped back into midfield to help cut out the supply routes to Griezmann and Torres, while Karim Benzema also typified Real's work rate by dropping back to defend.

Atletico were the better side after the break yet fortune was on Real's side as Pepe's rash challenge on Torres went unpunished and Stefan Savic stabbed another golden chance wide.

- BBC

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