Real Madrid claimed their 14th UEFA Champions League title, twice as many as any other club in competition history, as they edged out Liverpool 1-0 on a tension-filled night in Paris.
After a delay to the beginning of the match due to trouble outside of the stadium, a 59th minute strike from Vinicius Junior was enough to push Real past the Reds as boss Carlo Ancelotti became the first manager in Champions League history to lift the trophy on four separate occasions.
Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema, Dani Carvajal, Casemiro, Isco, Marcelo, Luka Modric, Nacho and Toni Kroos also all moved onto five Champions League titles apiece in the process, the second-most of any players in competition history.
The Sporting News has dug into the data behind the game, with all the key stats and facts below.
The first half
From kick-off, it was Liverpool who attacked from the off and their fans will no doubt be reflecting on a multitude of missed chances in the opening 45 minutes of action.
- Liverpool’s dominance grew throughout the first half as highlighted by their team total of 93 successful passes played into the final third compared to Real‘s 23.
- The Reds had more shots on target (5) in the first half of the final than in their previous two finals combined.
- One of those saw Real Madrid goalkeeper and man-of-the-match on the night, Thibaut Courtois, make a crucial save to tip Sadio Mane’s goal-bound effort onto the post in the 20th minute. That was his 54th save in the UCL this season, the joint-most of any goalkeeper since 2012.
- That said, Madrid’s overall experience shone through with a number of big players putting in influential performances, including full-back Dani Carvajal who was involved in the most duels of any player (10) come the half time whistle.
- Toni Kroos had both the most touches of the ball (64) and made the most passes (57) of any player in the UCL final by the break as he helped Real to keep a foothold in the game.
- For Liverpool, Jordan Henderson was arguably the standout performer in the opening 45. He made more tackles than anyone on the pitch (2), won 100% of his duels, won possession back four times for his side and made 13 successful passes into the final-third.
- Henderson also became the first Englishman to captain his side in three separate Champions League/European Cup finals.
The second half
Real Madrid came out far stronger for the start of the second half, creating a number of chances before taking the lead through a well-worked Vinicius strike.
- On that opener, Federico Valverde recorded the first UCL assist of his career as Vinicius netted his 22nd goal across all competitions.
- That strike was also the Brazilian's 10th goal contribution in the competition this season, more than the last three campaigns put together.
- Fellow Brazilian Casemiro put in a monstrous performance in the middle of the park. He made the most tackles (4), won the most duels (13) and won the most aerial duels (5) of any player during the final.
- Real’s Eder Militao also performed exceptionally well at the back, making two tackles, winning all six of his duels, making three interceptions and four clearances as well as making two all-important blocks to secure the clean sheet.
- Liverpool’s Mo Salah attempted nine shots in the final - the most of any player in any UCL match this season. His six shots on target was the most by any player in a UCL final since the 2003-04 season.
- Though all the plaudits go to Real shot stopper Courtois who ended the night with nine saves, the most of any goalkeeper in a Champions League final since 2003-04.
The wrap up
- Real Madrid claim their 14th Champions League crown, twice as many as second-placed AC Milan with seven.
- Madrid have now also remarkably won all of the last eight Champions League finals that they’ve reached.
- As a result of their defeat on the night, Liverpool have failed to beat Real in any of their last six meetings with the Spanish club.
- All nine competitive matches between the two sides have also seen the team that have scored first in the match, go on to win.
- After his winner, Real’s Vinicius has now scored three goals in three matches against Liverpool. Additionally, no player in the Champions League recorded more than his six assists across the competition this campaign.
- Despite not scoring on the night, Karim Benzema finishes the season with 15 UCL strikes - the most of any player.
- Madrid’s 1-0 victory further means that the last four Champions League finals have all been won ‘to-nil’ and in normal time.
- Their victory also means that across the last 21 years, La Liga teams have played 17 Champions League and Europa League finals against non-Spanish teams and have won all 17 clashes.
👑 KINGS OF EUROPE 👑#CHAMP14NS pic.twitter.com/fQBtjjb9BG
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) May 28, 2022
