Vinicius Jr goal in Champions League final gives Real Madrid result vs Liverpool

Kyle Bonn

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Vinicius Jr goal in Champions League final gives Real Madrid result vs Liverpool image

There's no bigger stage to score a club goal than the Champions League final.

Just the fifth player 21 years old or younger to play in a Champions League final, Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr. rubber-stamped his effect on the match with the only goal of the match in the 59th minute.

"Who needs Kylian Mbappe when you have Vinicius Jr?" asked broadcaster Clive Tyldesley as Real Madrid wheeled away in celebration.

The game's only goal put Real Madrid in the lead for good and saw Liverpool fall behind for the fourth time in their last five matches. It also saw Vinicius become the youngest Champions League final goalscorer since Lionel Messi in 2009.

MORE: Why was Karim Benzema's opening goal ruled out?

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How Vinicius Jr scored his Champions League final goal

After Real Madrid broke through Liverpool's midfield, the ball came to Federico Valverde on the right.

From just inside the top-right corner of the penalty area, Valverde looked up and saw Vinicius making a far-post run, and whipped in a venomous cross. With Trent Alexander-Arnold unaware of Vinicus's presence behind him, the ball came fizzing in to the Brazilian's feet, past Alexander-Arnold's watch.

While falling down, Vinicius took just a single touch to control the ball and redirect the cross past Alisson who couldn't reconfigure his body in time to stop the shot.

The goal came on Real Madrid's first shot on target of the entire match.

Vinicius Jr breakout season at Real Madrid

The Brazilian youngster has had a fabulous season in 2021-22, a breakout year for the 21-year-old.

Vinicius collected 17 goals and 13 assists in La Liga play, plus a further four goals and seven assists in Champions League play.

He has become a key figure down the left flank for Carlo Ancelotti, and promises to be for quite some time. With two years left on his Madrid contract, an extension may be in the works to keep him around the Bernabeu for years to come.

With the 2022 World Cup on the horizon in Qatar it could be a big rest of the year for the rising star.

Kyle Bonn

Kyle Bonn Photo

Kyle Bonn, is a Syracuse University broadcast journalism graduate with over a decade of experience covering soccer globally. Kyle specializes in soccer tactics and betting, with a degree in data analytics. Kyle also does TV broadcasts for Wake Forest soccer, and has had previous stops with NBC Soccer and IMG College. When not covering the game, he has long enjoyed loyalty to the New York Giants, Yankees, and Fulham. Kyle enjoys playing racquetball and video games when not watching or covering sports.