Liverpool and Real Madrid played out a cracking Champions League final on Saturday night, filled with extraordinary goals, incredible drama and heartbreaking injuries.
Los Blancos, favourites for the match due to their incredible success in Europe's top club competition in recent years, took the lead through after Karim Benzema anticipated well to block Loris Karius' throw into an empty net, but Sadio Mane soon poked home from Dejan Lovren's header.

Gareth Bale came on as a second half substitute to score one of the great Champions League final goals before another moment to forget for Karius gave him a second and Real Madrid their third.
Here's how Saturday's final played out...
There was heartbreak for Mohamed Salah, who had to leave the pitch after injuring his shoulder in a tangle with Sergio Ramos. That piece of drama got its very own piece, so feel free to peruse. Here's a snippet of the reactions...
A sad way for Salah's season to finish #UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/6v2Y0MKNBe
— #UCLfinal (@ChampionsLeague) May 26, 2018
#UCLFinal2018
— Josh The'Chelsea (@JoshTheChelsea) May 26, 2018
How Sergio Ramos Handled Mo Salah pic.twitter.com/XnH86TaaBe
After losing their star man to injury, things got worse for the Reds in the second half when Karius' attempted throw was seen via telepathy by Benzema, who outstretched his leg to give Los Blancos the lead.
51' GOOOOOOOOOOAL by @Benzema!!! GET IN!!!#RealMadrid 1-0 @LFC #APorLa13 | #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/kieG40we0u
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) May 26, 2018
Dear Twitter,
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) May 26, 2018
Ramos was not to blame for Salah injury & Benzema was a predatory genius to score that goal.
Those who think otherwise are footballing halfwits. #UCL2018
When Benzema pounced for his 5th #UCL goal this season #UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/mwMN7vP0Aw
— #UCLfinal (@ChampionsLeague) May 26, 2018
Liverpool were soon on level terms though, as Mane showed predatory instincts in the box to flick home Lovren's header to equalise.
4 - Sadio Mané is only the 4th African player to score in a European Cup/Champions League final after:
— OptaJean (@OptaJean) May 26, 2018
Rabah Madjer
Samuel Eto'o
Didier Drogba
Diamond. #UCLfinal #RMALFC @LFC pic.twitter.com/hZBEFpHr6g
GOOOOOOOAL!! SADIO MANE EQUALISES! WE BELIEVE!!
— DaveOCKOP (@DaveOCKOP) May 26, 2018
GOOOOOOLLLLL de Sadio Mane!!! 1️⃣-1️⃣ #UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/7Au4pvjcQ1
— LFC Español (@LFCEspanol) May 26, 2018
However, Gareth Bale's introduction proved the catalyst for Real Madrid's victory. Firstly, he scored one of the most incredible goals seen this season, arching his body to net an incredible overhead kick from Marcelo's cross.
Message to all of you Ronaldo fanboys who couldn't stop pissing your pants when he scored that overhead...
— Tom Todhunter (@tdhntr) May 26, 2018
Gareth Bale's was 100 times better.
Gareth Bale has been watching Jerome's overhead kick against Palace for inspiration. Top man
— Jack Reeve (@JackReeveTNC) May 26, 2018
TAKE A BOW, @GarethBale11!!! Absolutely INCREDIBLE overhead kick to fire us back ahead!
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) May 26, 2018
Cristiano’s reaction after realising everyone will now be talking about #GarethBale’s overhead kick as the greatest ever instead his v Juve... 廊 pic.twitter.com/i2befkJcoN
— Peter Ramage (@peterramage83) May 26, 2018
He got in on the act again soon after, profiting from another Karius shocker with a long-range effort that should have been comfortably stopped by the German.
Just had the call from #Karius’s agent. Sorry, no go.
— Morecambe FC (@ShrimpsOfficial) May 26, 2018
Caragher when he next sets his eyes on Karius pic.twitter.com/r54cwKo4Lq
— Football Funnys (@FootyFunnysUK) May 26, 2018
Bale comforts Karius after the full-time whistle pic.twitter.com/HuNQnpmeh6
— FourFourTwo ⚽️ (@FourFourTwo) May 26, 2018
"And You'll Never Walk Alone"
— Confused Klopp (@ConfusedKlopp) May 26, 2018
Unless you're Karius. Not one Liverpool player went over to him after the match. pic.twitter.com/uA5isPeBs3
Loris Karius blames himself for the defeat. I said Well it was your fault Loris, you've cost us the game.
— Boring James Milner (@BoringMilner) May 26, 2018
The errors will likely haunt Karius for a long time, with Liverpool likely to pursue a new goalkeeper this summer even more ferociously following his two mistakes.
As if there wasn't enough happening, a streaker stopped Real adding a fourth late on, coming on to the pitch with Cristiano Ronaldo ready to shoot and potentially have the fitting last word, as he has so often in recent years...
The streaker saved Liverpool from a 4-1 loss
— @Georgebakhos1 (@GeorgeBakhos1) May 26, 2018
When Karius can't stop Ronaldo but a streaker can #UCLFinal
— Peter Grant (@Granty_97) May 26, 2018
FFS streaker messed up Ronaldo’s chance
— The Boi (@ChuBoi) May 26, 2018
As for Real fans, it's fair to say they were beaming after winning a third Champions League in a row...
Real Madrid na UEFA Champions Lague:
— Cristiano Ronaldo (@CitouRonaldo7) May 26, 2018
1956
1957
1958
1959
1960
1966
1998
2000
2002
2014
2016
2017
2018
1️⃣3️⃣ #UCLFinal #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/DnKTjJ1noM
Most UCL winners in the history:
— OMAR (@Omar__cr7_) May 26, 2018
Real Madrid = 13
AC Milan = 7
Cristiano Ronaldo FC = 5
Liverpool/ Barcelona/Bayern = 5
Man can only be compared with clubs right now, he's bigger than football pic.twitter.com/abffxXs3XK