Probably the most anticipated soccer game year after year, the two best teams in Europe; Real Madrid and Juventus. These teams lineup in 90 minutes of the best football you’ll ever see.

The European Cup was founded in 1955 and then rebranded to what we know as Champions League in 1992. The Champions league starts off with 8 groups labeled A-H each with 4 teams. They continue to the Round of 16, Round of 8, Quarter Finals, Semi-Finals and then the Final. No team in the rebranded Champions League has ever won the prestigious tournament in consecutive years.

Real Madrid are the most successful club in this competition with 12 titles and their first 5 champions league finals going to the Spaniards. The Champions League Final has more viewers than the super bowl and the winners walk away with upwards of a 100 Million Euros in prize money.

This year’s final took place in Cardiff, Wales (Gareth Bale’s’ hometown) and was one of the best in recent years (at least the first half) as Juventus played Barcelona. Arguably the best defensive line in Europe (Juventus) against the player with the most Champions League goals of all time, Ronaldo and his two wingmen Bale and Benzema (Real Madrid). It was quite a match.

XI Juventus | Buffon; Barzagli, Chiellini, Bonucci, Sandro; Pjanic, Khedira; Alves, Dybala, Mandzukic; Higuain.

XI Real Madrid | Navas; Carvajal, Ramos, Varane, Marcelo; Kroos, Casemiro, Modric; Isco, Benzema, Ronaldo.

The game starts off a little slow for Real Madrid and Juventus seem to be starting off on the right foot. In the 3rd and 4th minute Juventus get 2 good chances through a Higuain shot and header but he can’t seem to beat Keylor Navas quite yet. Juventus are clearly dominating up till now as they have had many more chances and owning the midfield

In the 20th Madrid get a chance to counter and Carvajal fires a low cross into Ronaldo who finished calmly into the bottom left corner. Madrid lead and the crowd goes wild! Juventus respond great to the goal and get an attack on just 5 minutes later. Higuain lobs it to Mandzukic who takes one touch and releases a bicycle kick into the top right corner. What a goal, possibly the best we’ve ever seen in Champions League Final history!

There is hope in the arena and Juventus fans are more excited than ever! In the 30th Ronaldo tries to pull a Mandzukic but his shot is easily deflected by Buffon. The Halftime whistle blows and the tension in the crowd is unbelievable. Two more goals fall for Real Madrid one in the 61st and the other just 3 minutes later! Casemiro makes it 2-1 with a deflected shot outside of the box and Ronaldo taps another one home after a beautiful Modric cross.

The tides have completely turned in a matter of minutes and Real are unleashing attack after attack. This final isn’t over but a Real win seems inevitable. Alex Sandro almost scores in the 82nd with a glancing header but it just goes wide of the far post. Oh my! A red card for Cuadrado only 2 minutes later! Ramos clearly dives after he lightly pushes him and the ref sends him to the sidelines. Asensio wraps the game up with a tap in after Marcelo crosses it in off the left. 

Real Madrid has won and what a game it’s been. First time in history for a team to regain the trophy.