Real Madrid 3-1 Liverpool – Champions League final player ratings

Gareth Bale scored one of the best goals in Champions League history as Real Madrid retained their title after beating Liverpool in the final in Kiev.

Karim Benzema capitalised on Reds goalkeeper Loris Karius’ error early in the second half to put Real ahead before Sadio Mane levelled.

Bale then stunned Jurgen Klopp’s side with a stunning overhead bicycle kick to put the defending champions 2-1 ahead before another blunder from Karius saw the Wales striker add the third for Real in the 83rd minute.

Gareth Bale did not warm up with the other subs before the game but still had a huge impact

REAL MADRID (4-1-2-3)

Keylor Navas

Definitely not a goalkeeper who inspires confidence with decision making – 5

Dani Caravajal

Looked heartbroken as he trudged off with injury ending his night prematurely – 6

Sergio Ramos

Cynical and played the pantomime villain but a fabulous defender – 8

Raphael Varane

Just as effective as his partner, never gave Firmino a sight of goal – 8

Real captain Sergio Ramos played a key role in their third successive European triumph

Real captain Sergio Ramos played a key role in their third successive European triumph

Marcelo

Always a threat going forward, cross created the winner for Bale – 7

Casemiro

Nothing flash about the work he does but hugely effective – 7

Toni Kroos

Stand out performer in midfield, hard to think of wasted pass – 8

Luka Modric

The foil to the German, what a career this gifted Croatian has had – 7.5

For once Cristiano Ronaldo did not write the headlines of another title success

For once Cristiano Ronaldo did not write the headlines of another title success

Karim Benzema

Madrid’s best forward on the night, goal was fortunate but deserved – 8.5

Cristiano Ronaldo

Not one of his most spectacular nights but always a threat – 7

Isco

Substituted not long after he had missed a glorious chance to open the scoring – 5

SUBSTITUTES

Nacho (for Caravajal 36mins) 7

Bale (for Isco 61mins) 8 – never sighted in the warm up, off the bench to win the Champions League – 8.5

Casilla (GK), Bale, Hernandez, Vazquez, Asensio, Kovacic

MANAGER

Zinedine Zidane – Got his tactics absolutely spot on and never allowed Liverpool to build up a head of steam – 8

LIVERPOOL (4-3-3)

Loris Karius

His mistake were absolutely calamitous; he had threatened to it all night – 3

Trent Alexander-Arnold

Nervous early but grew into contest; one great chance in first half – 6

Virgil Van Dijk

Commanding in the air, used the ball well. Suited to this level – 7

Loris Karius is consoled by goalkeeper coach John Achterberg (centre) and Bale

Loris Karius is consoled by goalkeeper coach John Achterberg (centre) and Bale

Dejan Lovren

Made his mark after 30 seconds with a challenge that rattled Ronaldo – 7

Andrew Robertson

His efforts were impeccable summed up by one challenge on Ronaldo – 7.5

Gini Wijnaldum

Started the game well but couldn’t sustain his efforts in second half – 6

Jordan Henderson

Neat and tidy but had his work cut out trying to quell Kroos and Modric – 7

Sadio Mane was Liverpool's best player and scored the equaliser and later hit the post

Sadio Mane was Liverpool’s best player and scored the equaliser and later hit the post

James Milner

Always buzzing around the action, corner created the equaliser – 6.5

Mohamed Salah

Left the field in tears with an injured shoulder after clash with Ramos – 6

Roberto Firmino

Strangely subdued and didn’t have the same impact he normally does – 6

Sadio Mane

Liverpool’s best player; scored one, hit the post with another thumping shot – 8

SUBSTITUTES

Lallana (for Salah 30mins)

Mignolet (GK), Clyne, Klavan, Moreno, Lallana, Can, Solanke

MANAGER

Jurgen Klopp – It is his way to take the blame for defeats but hard to see what more he could have done here – 6 

Referee – Milorad Mazic 7 

Man-of-the-Match – Gareth Bale 

 



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