2017 UEFA Champions League Final

2017 UEFA Champions League Final
source
Title	2017 UEFA Champions League Final
Event	2016–17 UEFA Champions League
Team1	Juventus
Team2	Real Madrid
Score	1–4
Date	3 June 2017
Stadium	Millennium Stadium
City	Cardiff
Man of the match	Cristiano Ronaldo
Referee	Felix Brych
Attendance	65,842
Weather	Indoors

2017 UEFA Champions League Final was the final match of the 2016–17 UEFA Champions League, the 62nd season of UEFA's premier club football tournament. It was contested between Italian champions Juventus and Spanish champions Real Madrid at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. Real Madrid won the match 4–1 to secure a record-extending 12th title in the competition, becoming the first club to successfully defend the trophy in the UEFA Champions League era.

Background

The final featured two of Europe's most storied clubs, with Real Madrid having won the tournament a record 11 times, including in 2014 and 2016. Their manager, Zinedine Zidane, was in his first full season in charge. Their opponents, Juventus, were two-time champions, last winning in 1996, and were appearing in their second final in three seasons under manager Massimiliano Allegri. The match was a repeat of the 1998 UEFA Champions League Final, which Real Madrid had won. The Millennium Stadium was selected as the venue by UEFA in June 2015, marking the first final held in Wales.

Road to the final

Juventus topped Group H ahead of Sevilla FC, Olympique Lyonnais, and GNK Dinamo Zagreb. In the knockout phase, they defeated FC Porto in the Round of 16, FC Barcelona in the quarter-finals, and AS Monaco in the semi-finals, conceding only three goals total. Real Madrid won Group F ahead of Borussia Dortmund, Sporting CP, and Legia Warsaw. They then overcame S.S.C. Napoli in the Round of 16, FC Bayern Munich in a dramatic quarter-final, and Club Atlético de Madrid in the semi-finals.

Pre-match

The buildup was dominated by the individual duel between Juventus' veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, seeking his first title, and Real Madrid's star forward Cristiano Ronaldo. The ceremonial trophy handover was performed by Alfredo Di Stéfano, a legend for both clubs. Pre-match entertainment featured a performance by Black Eyed Peas. Security was heightened across Cardiff following the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing. Both teams were at full strength, with Real Madrid's Gareth Bale, a native of Cardiff, fit enough for the bench.

Match

Summary

Real Madrid took a 20th-minute lead through Cristiano Ronaldo, assisted by Daniel Carvajal. Juventus equalized seven minutes later with a spectacular volley from Mario Mandžukić, assisted by Gonzalo Higuaín. The second half was dominated by Real Madrid. Casemiro restored the lead with a deflected long-range strike in the 61st minute. Cristiano Ronaldo added his second three minutes later, finishing from close range after a pass from Luka Modrić. Substitute Marco Asensio completed the scoring in the 90th minute, set up by Marcelo.

Details

The match was officiated by German referee Felix Brych, assisted by Mark Borsch and Stefan Lupp. Juventus' Juan Cuadrado was sent off in the 84th minute for a second bookable offense after a clash with Sergio Ramos. Real Madrid's Dani Carvajal was named in the UEFA Squad of the Season.

Post-match

Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos lifted the trophy, completing a La Liga and UEFA Champions League double. Cristiano Ronaldo finished as the tournament's top scorer. Juventus' defeat meant Gianluigi Buffon ended his career without the trophy. In his press conference, Massimiliano Allegri praised Real Madrid's clinical finishing. The victory cemented Zinedine Zidane's status as a top manager. The win also secured Real Madrid's place against Manchester United in the 2017 UEFA Super Cup and entry into the 2017 FIFA Club World Cup.

Category:UEFA Champions League finals Category:2017 in Welsh football Category:Real Madrid CF matches Category:Juventus FC matches