The Champions League final was as eagerly awaited as it has been in years and for all the wrong reasons the world was given an extra 45 minutes to keep waiting. UEFA have once again proven that their influence tends to cause problems for fans rather than helping them.
Once the football started, the supporters were able to enjoy themselves. The first half of the tie followed the script. Liverpool tentatively took control, advancing with menace and menace. It turned into tangible chances - everyone on target came into contact with Thibaut Courtois. The first from Mohamed Salah at the far post, the second to hit the near post with a ferocious shot from Sadio Mane. This was to be the story of the game.
Real Madrid warned of their clinical advantage late in the first half, with Karim Benzema fending off a scramble after sneaking past the Liverpool defence. This was controversially ruled out and Liverpool granted a reprieve.
The second half more or less followed a similar pattern. Only Vincius Junior was not offside. Liverpool showed up with less dominance, aware that Los Blancos were on their rhythm, starting to deviate and get out of the pressure. Twice they did it on the right and the second time Fede Valverde fired the ball through the box and Vinicius converted, as he has so often done this season.
Liverpool began to commit more forward bodies, but over time the belief that they could find a way to overtake Courtois by footballing means grew. Salah controlled perfectly, worked a yard pass from Ferland Mendy and fired what should have been the perfect equaliser. Only Courtois' arm was already in place to deflect him wide.
After making nine saves and the biggest goalkeeping contribution to a final in some time, it was only fitting that Courtois would grab Liverpool's latest attack into his hands in the dying seconds.
Finals are not for playing, they are for winning, as the saying goes. Real Madrid have adopted this mentality in every Champions League draw this season. Where there was a path, they found one. Where there was a hero, he wore white. For the fourteenth time, Real Madrid have established themselves as the king of Europe.
The Final was Impaired by Crowd Chaos, but Real Madrid Never Fails.
Madrid became European champions for a record 14th time - double the number of any other team on the continent - by beating Liverpool 1-0 in a final that started 37 minutes late due to disturbing scenes at the outside the Stade de France on Saturday. It evoked memories of the violence that marred the European Championship final at Wembley Stadium 10 months ago.
Brazilian winger Vinicius Junior scored the game-winner, applying a 59th-minute close-range finish from Federico Valverde's drive to the face of goal, while goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois received just as much applause as he made breathtaking saves against Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah.
For many, especially Liverpool fans, however, the pre-match crowd issues have overshadowed this final and will certainly be investigated by UEFA and the authorities in the coming days.
Riot police fired tear gas and pepper spray at Liverpool fans forced to queue for the club's biggest game of the European season, the kick-off of which has been delayed.
UEFA blamed the chaos on people trying to enter the stadium without legitimate tickets.
"During the match, the turnstiles on the Liverpool side were blocked by thousands of fans who bought fake tickets which did not work in the turnstiles," UEFA said in a statement.
Some fans scaled the fences surrounding the stadium to enter. Others broke through security and sprinted down the hall before being smashed to the ground.
Riot police with batons and riot shields ran from gate to gate to prevent pockets of fans from pushing their way into the stadium.
"I have really bad asthma and I've been gassed twice," Liverpool fan Angela Murphy told The Associated Press through a fence. "I'm really struggling."
About 15 minutes before the scheduled 9 p.m. kick-off. local time, it was announced that there would be a delay. He was greeted with mockery inside the stadium.
Liverpool have said they are "extremely disappointed" with the security issues experienced by their fans recalling last summer outside Wembley ahead of the Euro 2020 final between England and Italy. This was largely due to England fans aggressively trying to enter their stadium.
Liverpool have said they are "extremely disappointed" with the security issues experienced by their fans recalling last summer outside Wembley ahead of the Euro 2020 final between England and Italy. This was largely due to England fans aggressively trying to enter their stadium.
"I know the families had real difficulties getting into the stadium," Klopp said. "We'll let the investigation find out. Obviously it was quite tricky there”.
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