Real Madrid were the winners of the UEFA Champions League final on penalties after a 1-1 scoreline was split 5-3 in the shootout with Christiano Ronaldo delivering the killing blow.
REPORT: REAL MADRID WIN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Final score
Real Madrid 1 (5)
Atletico Madrid 1 (3)
The 213th Madrid Derby again takes place on football’s grandest stage, as Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid meet in the UEFA Champions League final for the second time in three seasons. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 4:30am (AEST).
Real Madrid better get used to this – no longer do Europe’s most glittering club claim outright primacy in the Spanish capital. The vocal neighbours from the suburbs have seen to this.
Nor can Atletico’s European prominence be dismissed any longer as luck or happenstance – this the fourth meeting in three seasons of Champions League football against their city rivals, and the second final.
While nothing can bring back the 2014 final, when Atleti lost on Real’s soil, the future is bright for Los Colchoneros.
Real will be assured though. While their La Liga rivalry has been split in recent seasons, the European meetings have fell the way of Los Merengues. The La Decima triumph of 2014 was sweet, as was knocking out Atletico in last season’s semis. Now in its third straight edition, the contest is taken to neutral territory in Milan’s San Siro, itself accustomed to hosting two great European powerhouses.
The team news for Real Madrid will largely concern the fitness of Cristiano Ronaldo, who limped out of training earlier in the week. But his protestations of fitness, and primacy in this team will likely see the maestro line up alongside Gareth Bale behind Karim Benzema.
Midfield will be driven via the trio of Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Isco, while manager and club great Zinedine Zidane has to do without Rafael Varane, meaning central defence will be occupied by Pepe and captain Sergio Ramos.
Real’s plan is simple – deliver to Ronaldo et al, and watch. Lather, rinse and repeat.
Atletico’s gameplan will delve into greater intricacy. Diego Simeone’s defensive mindset will once again need to be at its prime, with Uruguayan duo Diego Godin and Jose Gimenez charged to repel the Real trio’s advances. But Atletico boast their own midfield prowess, with the likes of Koke, Saul Ninguez and Gabi available.
Up front, Simeone will likely opt for Antoine Griezmann over former captain Fernando Torres, but with the absence of Varane from Real’s squad, the opportunity to expose the occasionally defensively suspect Ramos is rife.
For Real Madrid, victory is simply another notch on their already impressive belt, with an 11th European title beckoning. For Atletico however, it is an opportunity to break their neighbours’ dominance – for one season at least.
Expect a terse, tense affair, as is the case of any derby. Real have the firepower, Atletico the obduracy – the game could well go to extra time, such is the minimal difference between the two sides.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Great game of football. You have to wonder the toll this game and this past season has taken on a lot of these players who are now heading into Euros and Copa America.
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
FULLTIME - REAL MADRID 1 (5) - 1 (3) ATLETICO DE MADRID Thanks everyone for your company this morning, as well for all our coverage this European season. Real Madrid once again end with the trophy they see as perenially theirs, while Atletico ponder what they need to do to beat their neighbours in Europe. At fulltime at the San Siro, it finished Real Madrid 1 (5)- 1 (3) Atletico de Madrid. Good morning!
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
FULLTIME - REAL MADRID 1 (5) - 1 (3) ATLETICO DE MADRID What a moment as well for Zinedine Zidane - he was already royalty at the Santiago Bernabeu, and now extends his legend by bringing "Ol' Big Ears" back. 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1966, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2014 and now 2016. FULLTIME - REAL MADRID 1 (5) - 1 (3) ATLETICO DE MADRID
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
FULLTIME - REAL MADRID 1 (5) - 1 (3) ATLETICO DE MADRID It is tears of despair for Atletico, and it is cries of unbridled joy for Real Madrid. Cristiano Ronaldo once again has his moment, and it was the miss of Juanfran, which set it up. Real Madrid continue their amazing record in European football, it's 11 titles now, still four more than AC Milan who are next at 7, while Atletico's wait will continue. FULLTIME - REAL MADRID 1 (5) - 1 (3) ATLETICO DE MADRID
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
RONALDO - SCORES (RMD 5-3 ATM) REAL MADRID AGAIN! RONALDO AGAIN! 11TH TITLE FOR THE ROYALTY OF MADRID, AND ONCE AGAIN AT THE EXPENSE OF THE QUIET NEIGHBOURS FROM THE SUBURBS! FULLTIME - REAL MADRID 1 (5) - 1 (3) ATLETICO DE MADRID
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
JUANFRAN - MISSES (RMD 4-3 ATM) Juanfran hits the post and it's out! Match Point Real Madrid! Game, set and match point for Cristiano Ronaldo, as he would want it!
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
RAMOS - SCORES (RMD 4-3 ATM) Dummies and stutters, and hits it right! 4-3 to Real! Juanfran now.
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
SAUL - SCORES (RMD 3-3 ATM) Rolls it well past Navas' right, as he dove left! 3-3! And now is Sergio Ramos.
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
BALE - SCORES (RMD 3-2 ATM) Rolls it cheekily down the left. Oblak unmoved! Here is Saul Ninguez.
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
Gareth Bale for Real Madrid.
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
GABI - SCORES (RMD 2-2 ATM) Gabi smashes into the roof! 2-2!
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
MARCELO - SCORES (RMD 2-1 ATM) Marcelo slots it to Oblak's left well. Next up is the captain Gabi.
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
Marcelo up next for Real.
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
GRIEZMANN - SCORES (RMD 1-1 ATM) Griezmann atones for his miss. 1-1!
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
First penalty to be taken by Lucas Vazquez for Real Madrid, against Jan Oblak. VAZQUEZ - SCORES (RMD 1-0 ATM) Griezmann up front for Atletico.
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
FULLTIME EXTRA TIME: Real Madrid 1-1 Atletico Madrid Penalties to be taken at the end where the Real Madrid fans are congregated - that usually plays to their favour. Butterflies are evident. Will Griezmann get another chance at a spot kick? Will Ronaldo line up first, or wait till later? FULLTIME EXTRA TIME: Real Madrid 1-1 Atletico Madrid
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
FULLTIME EXTRA TIME: Real Madrid 1-1 Atletico Madrid Officials awaiting both captains to conduct the coin tosses, one for which team takes the first penalty, and second one for which end the penalties will take place. FULLTIME EXTRA TIME: Real Madrid 1-1 Atletico Madrid
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'120: Torres clears Modric's corner, but it stays with Real - but fulltime is called by Mark Clattenburg, and we are headed to penalties once again in the European Cup/Champions League Final! It's been absorbing from start to finish. Real had the late flurry, but Atletico held firm, and we are now headed to Russian roulette of penalty kicks. At fulltime in extra time in Milan, it has ended Real Madrid 1-1 Atletico de Madrid, and we are headed to penalties! FULLTIME EXTRA TIME: Real Madrid 1-1 Atletico Madrid
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'119: Late shot away blocked by Partey, then a follow up from Vazquez, who looked clear with a shot, but dallied too long, allowing the block to arrive. Late drama at the San Siro, and it's Real Madrid pursuing the winner. Partey gets the ball away for Atletico, and at the other end, Atletico counter, and then it's Carrasco and Pepe who get into a mess of a tangle - Carrasco probably was the man at fault for bringing down the Portuguese, but it's the latter who performs his pantomime theatrics. Clattenburg simply shakes his head in disapproval, but doesn't dismiss him for that. What's the point? Two minutes added time, and t's Real applying pressure at the other end once again. Oblak has a crucial palm away for a Real cross,and it's another corner. Seconds remaining. 1-1
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'119: Nervous moments in Milan - both teams not overcommitting up front. 1-1