Real Madrid beat Liverpool 1-0 in the UEFA Champions League final thanks to a second-half goal from Vinícius Júnior.

So often victorious having had their backs against the wall in this season’s competition, Real Madrid was again the less assertive team for long stretches of this game. As ever, though, they found a way.

Thibaut Courtois warrants enormous credit, having pulled off a string of fine saves to keep Liverpool at bay. Mohamed Salah was denied on multiple occasions, though it was Sadio Mané who went closest in the first half – this time Courtois had a post to thank for completing the job.

Karim Benzema did have the ball in the net before half-time only for VAR to intervene. The Merengues’ celebrations were given full voice just before the hour, however, Federico Valverde’s cross-shot picked out Vinícius in space at the back post. Madrid’s No20 could not miss.

Courtois was at it again with seven minutes left, Salah again the man denied by his lightning-fast reactions. Madrid threatened to add a second on the break thereafter, but not for the first time, they had done just enough.

Liverpool vs Real MADRID | UEFA 2022 Champions League Final Highlights;