Real Madrid on Saturday ended their 12 years wait for their 10th Champions League crown after beating their arch local rival, Atletico 4-1 in the Final in Lisbon.
The defeat and final scoreline was harsh on city rivals Atletico, who had been seconds away from their first-ever success in the continent’s biggest club competition after Diego Godin’s 36th minute opener, only for Sergio Ramos to power home a headed equaliser in the third minute of added time. Madrid added three more goals in the extra time.
Bale, signed for a world record £86million from Tottenham last summer, indelibly wrote his name into Real folklore with the goal that took the team towards ‘La Decima’ – the club’s 10th European Cup triumph.
Real’s victory means coach Carlo Ancelotti joins legendary Liverpool boss Bob Paisley as the only men to win three European Cups, while Bale again proved the man for the big occasion having also led his new club to Copa del Rey glory earlier this season.
With Atletico tiring and time running out in extra time, substitute Marcelo was allowed to advance unchecked and fire under Thibaut Courtois, before Cristiano Ronaldo added further gloss from the penalty spot after being brought down by Juanfran.
