It was heartache and anguish for the African soccer stars in Liverpool in their quest to pick up a second Champions League trophy in three years when Spanish giants, Real Madrid, pipped them 1-0 to clinch her 14th title in the final played at Stade de France in Paris on Saturday night.
The pulsating encounter which was delayed for about 40 minutes due to security concerns, was settled in the 54th minute when Brazilian winger, Vinicius Junior, netted the only goal of the match.
Jurgen Klopp had started the duo of Mohammed Salah and Sadio Mane who had several attempts on target but were frustrated by a brilliant goalkeeping display by former Chelsea man, Thibaut Courtois, who was in an inspiring form.
A little over a month ago, Liverpool were in the race for a rare quadruple which would have made them the first team in England to ever do so, but only ended up with the Carabao Cup and FA Cup having failed to beat Manchester City to the Premier League title penultimate week, with their incredible journey ending in tears on Saturday night in Paris.
How Liverpool lost the match is anyone’s guess and how they didn’t score should be the subject of future debates.
Salah and Mane did everything to get on the scoresheet with the Egyptian alone having six shots more than anyone has ever managed in a Champions League final, but he, and Liverpool, could find no way past the giant Belgian Courtois.
On three occasions in the second half, Salah thought he had found the back of the net but each time, Courtois came out with different spellbinding, crucial saves.
Mali captain Naby Keita who came off the bench in the second half had the chance to level the scores when he came face to face with Courtois in a one on one situation but yet again, the Belgian shot stopper proved to be up to the task.
At the end of the match, it was Vinicius Junior’s early second-half strike that settled the Champions League final, and ensured that for the 14th time, Real Madrid will get their hands on club football’s most famous trophy, handing ‘Don’ Carlo Ancelotti a second Champions League trophy as manager of the club.