Real Madrid reached their 14th European Cup final and ended Manchester City’s hopes of a maiden title after securing a 1-0 victory in the second leg of their Champions League last-four clash on Wednesday.
Zinedine Zidane’s side will face city rivals Atletico in the final for the second time in three seasons after a first-half own goal from Fernando was enough to secure a narrow win that barely reflected Real’s dominant display.
After last week’s goalless first-leg stalemate, Madrid, chasing a record-extending 11th European title, opened the scoring after 20 minutes when Gareth Bale’s cross was deflected into the top corner by the City defender.
The victory opened the door for Real Madrid boss Zidane to end his first season at the club with club football’s most coveted prize, while ending City manager Manuel Pellegrini’s hopes of signing off from the club with European silverware.
City had made a bright start, but their early momentum was halted in its tracks as captain and centre back Vincent Kompany was forced off with a muscle injury after nine minutes, handing the initiative to the hosts, who quickly went on the offensive.
City looked slightly overawed as they handed territory to Real Madrid, who punished them when Bale picked up Dani Carvajal’s pass and aimed a cross towards the far post that was deflected by Fernando past Joe Hart into the top corner.
The linesman’s flag prevented City falling further behind when Pepe stabbed into the net only for his effort to be ruled out for offside, while City’s only glimpse of goal in the first half came when Fernandinho’s effort clipped the post.
Madrid continued to dominate after the break, but found a second goal elusive as Luka Modric and Cristiano Ronaldo failed to convert chances, while Bale’s header hit the crossbar.
Sam McCosker
Roar Pro
I do hope Atletico win. Many complaints of the side playing slightly dirty, however what Leicester have shown this season is excitement. We need excitement in other leagues and need more underdog stories to tell the grandchildren!
Launchpad McQuack
Guest
The empirical point Fuss has made and can't be denied is the fact that an all-Madrid/La Liga European final (the second in three years, no less)*does* serve as a rebuke to the Anglophile conventional-wisdom that the EPL is 'the best' top-flight division in the world.
Kaks
Roar Guru
They are definitely a team that reflect their coach!
AZ_RBB
Guest
If the 2016 final is half as epic as the 2014 then we're in for a treat. I love the way Atleti play football. People can ridicule tough defending all they want. You probably all wish your team defended this well.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Fair call Gronk. Comments like his are indeed strange, especially when he professes to be a business guru. I just thought I'd ask the question anyway, since I really didn't think anyone could be that stu4id at business 101.
The Gronk
Guest
I don't understand why you boys are tryng to reason with this guy. He obviously doesn't understand how a business works and has never been outside of Melbourne. His eyes are closed to the real world.
Mark
Guest
Just to clarify as well, FetchTV will continue to have the one, SD BeIN channel, at an additional price. Fox will have three HD BeIN channels at no additional cost for people who already have the sports pack. In fact, for people like me who were subscribed to the BeIN channel on Foxtel, at an additional price, I will save money.
Mark
Guest
The A-League needs people who will pay money to attend matches, regardless of their overall level of commitment or interest in football. Treating football as a 'closed shop', where if people don't meet certain arbitrary criteria their money and interest are not wanted, is what kept football in the doldrums in this country for decades.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
"The A-League does not need event-watchers. It needs people who understand & love football: good, bad; exciting, boring." I'll steer clear of the childish comments, but I would like to ask you one question with regards to this statement: Do you prefer this personally, or do you actually believe the ALeague would be better off limiting itself to such a small market?
fiddlesticks
Guest
mate, you have got a massive problem. need to chill out, ever wondered why people like to stir you so much?
fiddlesticks
Guest
mate, you have got a massive problem. need to chill out, ever wondered why people like to stir you so much?
Fussball IUL
Roar Rookie
Why? Have you got a problem with people who didn't finish High School? The A-League does not need event-watchers. It needs people who understand & love football: good, bad; exciting, boring. If you can't understand this simple hypothesis, you certainly won't ever understand football.
The Gronk
Guest
"I’m far more interested in capturing the hearts & minds of real football fans". So you want to capture the heart and minds of real football people? Wouldn't they already be captured if they are real football fans? That makes no sense. Did you even finish high school or have you had a number of head knocks after school which has made you a touch slow?
Fussball IUL
Roar Rookie
I'm far more interested in capturing the hearts & minds of real football fans - people who watch football regardless of the quality: good, bad, boring, exciting. They're the people who are in the crowd of suburbs & towns across Australia because they love & understand the sport. Not event-watchers sitting on the couch flicking channels looking for a goal & who pick a team because they've heard of a celebrity footballer's name when they went backpacking in Europe. PS: beIN Sports deal on Foxtel is a terrific addition. But, as far as I know, beIN is still available on FetchTV which will have Optus Football - albeit at an additional price, but still cheaper than Foxtel subscription.
Mark
Guest
Strangely, when Optus announces its EPL deal, which will make viewing the EPL less accessible by the preferred viewing format of most viewers, you praise it as a good deal. On the other hand, when Foxtel announced its BeIN deal, which will make the UCL, UEL, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A etc available to more people than they have ever been, for zero additional cost for people who have already subscribed, you didn't have a good word to say about it. I can't help but shake my head at people who would say they want the game to do well in this country, but then sneer at people who want to follow it. There's nothing wrong with being a multi-sport watching football fan, so long as you're an educated football fan.
Fussball IUL
Roar Rookie
Uefa CL Finale all Spanish. Super stuff. Contrasting styles & Madrid Derby. Makes a mockery of the multi-sport, event-watching, football illiterates, who sneer "we only watch EPL because it's the best sockah". Now if we can also get the Europa League Finale to be all Spanish .. what a nightmare for the anglophile multi-sports fans in Australia.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Congrats buddy. Great team indeed. NFI how they do it each year TBH. I'm just #$@%ed my boys may not even qualify for the UCL.
Punter
Guest
Madrid derby in the champions league again,2nd time in 3 years. No other city has achieved it once, they are now experiencing it for a 2nd time. Well done Madrid.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Well done Real for making another UCL final. Unbelievable when you think about it. Another pretty ordinary game overall though. Man City were woeful, with Madrid really doing what's required and not much more. I need some sleep!