Liverpool have defeated Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 at the Wanda Metropolitano to win the Champions League and be crowned the best side in Europe for a sixth time.
The Reds took the lead through the second-fastest final goal just one minute and 48 seconds in as Mohamed Salah scored from the penalty spot.
Despite plenty of toiling from Tottenham in the final 20 minutes, Liverpool scored a second goal late on through substitute Divock Origi to win the competition, a year on from losing 3-1 to Real Madrid at the same stage.
Liverpool’s sixth continental triumph comes 14 years on from their most recent success – a memorable penalty-shootout win over AC Milan – and makes them the third-most successful side ever after Milan (seven titles) and Madrid (13).
Liverpool were in front with two minutes on the clock thanks to Mohamed Salah’s successfully-converted penalty down the middle, awarded after Sadio Mane’s cross hit the outstretched arm of Moussa Sissoko in the box with less than 30 seconds played.
That was one of just two on-target attempts in a low-quality first half, with Andy Robertson’s long-ranger – forcing Hugo Lloris into a fingertip stop – the other.
Trent Alexander-Arnold sent a bullet strike wide from the best of the speculative efforts as both teams struggled to find any real momentum.
In his first appearance in two months, Harry Kane had just 11 touches during the first half – fewer than any other Tottenham player – while Liverpool’s tally of 101 completed passes was their fewest in the first half of a game across all competitions this season.
Tottenham have not been ahead in any of their 13 Champions League games this season, though they still went on to win six of the previous 12, and they were refusing to give in during a tense second half.
A blocked Mohamed Salah shot aside, it took until 20 minutes from time the first meaningful attempt of the second period as James Milner dragged the ball inches wide from 10 yards once teed up by fellow substitute Divock Origi.
Dele Alli had a chipped shot routinely dealt with by Alisson Becker, who became increasingly busier as he was twice called into action to keep out Son Heung-min and then Lucas Moura.
Tottenham could not take their late chances as Christian Eriksen’s free kick was pushed behind and Lucas failed to convert from eight yards when picked out from the resulting corner.
Both league games between the sides this season contained late goals, though, and there was another one here as Origi sent a crisp finish into the bottom corner after Spurs failed to deal with a corner.
A late flurry of shots from the Lilywhites followed, but Alisson stood firm to give Liverpool something to celebrate in a season that saw them fall just short in the Premier League.
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COMMENTS
What a season for Liverpool FC! Best coach, best team. Without a doubt. Feel a little sorry for Spurs, especially guys like Harry Kane, Dele Alli, Son Heung Min (The Son of destruction), and Christian Eriksen. But there was no stopping the Reds today. Stopping Liverpool this season has been like trying to stop a train in motion. Which is why I have to pause and take a moment to appreciate what Pep and Man City achieved, in stopping Liverpool from claiming the Premier League. Salah and Mane are European champions! Congrats to them. The next big challenge for Liverpool will be holding on to Klopp. The big clubs around Europe will be circling him like sharks in the coming weeks.
Sorry, I forgot Naby Keita and Joel Matip. Congrats to them too! Congrats Africa!