Real Madrid 1-1 Atletico Madrid (5-3 PKs)
In a rematch of the 2014 Champions League Final in Lisbon, Sergio Ramos scored the opener only a quarter hour into the match, but substitute Yannick Carrasco scored an equalizer to force extra time.
But after 30 minutes of extra time, neither team could break the deadlock, and in the penalty kick shootout, Cristiano Ronaldo sealed victory for the All-White half of Madrid.
Both team's starting line-ups featured many of the same players that competed for the 2014 European title in Lisbon. Among those were Cristiano Ronaldo and Pepe, the former of whom was the subject of much discussion in the build-up to the match. The recurring threat of injury prior to Euro 2016 loomed large in the minds of Portuguese supporters, while pundits observed that Ronaldo was still looking for a signature moment in his career. Meanwhile, Tiago returned to the Atletico squad, albeit on the bench.
Atletico's defensive posture had recently been the undoing of their more illustrious neighbors, but Madrid came into the match in good health and were able to field their preferred "BBC" attacking trio.
The teams felt each other out in the opening minutes with Real keeping most of the possession early. Their first sight of goal came in the 6th minute when a Gareth Bale free kick dropped right in front of Marcelo, but Jan Oblak was able to push his shot away to safety.
Ramos the hero again
Neither side proved much of a threat with Madrid maintaining a crisp possession game that was balanced out by Atletico's disciplined pressing. Then seemingly out of nothing, Real Madrid took the lead. And as in 2014, it was Ramos who did the honors.
Toni Kroos took a free kick on the left wing that was glanced goal-ward by Bale and Ramos cut in front of his marker to tap the ball home from point blank range.
Atletico immediately responded by pushing more bodies forward to gain control of the midfield, but Kroos, Modric, and Casemiro were effective in preventing Atletico from gaining a foothold in the match. Griezmann eventually tested Keylor Navas with a few speculative efforts, and was ruled offsides when he finally found a better shooting position.
But Griezmann looked the most likely to provide the equalizer for Atletico. Five minutes before the half, the French winger narrowly missed the left side of the net with a fierce shot from just outside the penalty area. Koke and Gabi were both proving to be more of a nuisance in midfield as the end of the half approached.
Former Monaco winger, Yannick Carrasco, came on to start the second half in place of Augusto Fernandez. Atletico picked up right where they left off from the first half and almost immediately won themselves a penalty when Pepe clattered into Fernando Torres. Mark Clattenburg made no hesitation as he pointed to the spot.
Jesus Navas was yellow carded for protests that went unheeded. But Griezmann struck the penalty against the crossbar, a major let-off for Real Madrid.
Dani Carvajal was forced off through injury and ex-Porto fullback Danilo entered the fray. Atletico still poured forward in numbers and nearly found the net again in the 53rd minute, but Savic somehow pushed his header wide when it seemed easier to hit the target.
Saul Niguez was next to go close with a half-volley that missed wide right as Diego Simeone urged the Atletico fans to cheer them onward. Atletico were firmly in control of possession, but still could not find the sufficient space to create a real threat.
Yannick punishes Real's wastefulness
Ronaldo won a free kick in the 67th minute, but Bale's effort from the right wing was deflected out for a corner. Then Karim Benzema wasted a glorious chance to score when he was sent through down the right channel, but Oblak came out well and smothered his goal-bound shot. The Frenchman might have had more luck squaring for Ronaldo, who had made the run and was in position with the goal gaping.
Isco and Lucas Vazquez came on to add further inspiration, and they nearly did in the 77th minute. Again Oblak came out to block a point-blank effort from Ronaldo, and the rebound fell to Gareth Bale, whose shot was cleared off the line.
Atletico then made Real pay for their profligate finishing when substitute Yannick cut in front of Danilo and turned in a wonderful cross from Juanfran. Neither team had the energy to find an equalizer and the teams went into extra time locked at 1-1.
Extra time stalemate
Ronaldo had the first chance in extra time, but he mishit his attempted header straight at Oblak. Then Griezmann was inches away from bursting clear through on goal, but Danilo timed his tackle to perfection to dispossess the Frenchman.
Real Madrid nearly found the go ahead goal when Vaquez was set up by Ronaldo in the penalty area, but the defence recovered, and Bale's eventual shot was blocked.
Heavy legs kept the scores level through the second half of extra time with Real creating a couple of decent chances at the very end of the period. Both teams headed to penalties knowing that a very cruel fate awaited one of them after a long season.
Lucas Vazquez got Real off to a great start with a cool finish, but Griezmann made amends for his earlier penalty kick failure by leveling the score. But in the end, Cristiano Ronaldo, slowed by injuries, struck a wonderful penalty to secure the Champions League final after Juanfran missed for Atletico.
It was a tense and very evenly matched final, but it was Real who finished off their season on a high note after losing La Liga to Barcelona. For Ronaldo, it was his 3rd UCL victory, and as the tournament's top scorer, it is a significant boost to his 2016 Ballon d'Or aspirations.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Pepe will be rested for Portugal's matches against Norway and England, but will be available in the send-off match against Estonia on 8 June.
by Nathan Motz
