SPORTS

Ronaldo double sinks Juventus as Real retain Champions League title

June 04, 2017

IMAGE: Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring the opening goal for Real Madrid. Photograph: David Ramos/Getty Images

Cristiano Ronaldo struck twice as Real Madrid became the first team to successfully defend their European title in the Champions League era with a 4-1 win over Juventus in Saturday's final for their third triumph in four years.

IMAGE: Cristiano Ronaldo scores the third goal for Real Madrid. Photograph: David Ramos/Getty Images

Real, who now have a record 12 European Cup wins, grabbed the lead in the 20th minute through Ronaldo, who slotted the ball low into the corner after a clever cut-back from Dani Carvajal following a classic counter attack.

But determined Italian champions Juve drew level seven minutes later, with one of the finest goals seen in a Champions League final, as Croatian forward Mario Mandzukic beat Real keeper Keylor Navas with a perfectly executed overhead kick.

IMAGE: Mario Mandzukic, centre, celebrates with team mates after scoring the first goal for Juventus. Photograph: David Ramos/Getty Images

The Spanish champions took charge after the break, however, restoring their lead through a deflected long-range shot from Brazilian Casemiro in the 61st minute before Portugal forward Ronaldo struck again, from close-range, after fine work by Luka Modric, to score his 600th goal for club and country.

Juve finished with 10 men after Juan Cuadrado was sent off in the 84th for a second yellow card after pushing Sergio Ramos and in the final minute of normal time substitute Marco Asensio added a fourth after some poor defending from the Italians.

Source: REUTERS
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