Matches that reach extra time don’t usually end in such a one sided scoreline, but Real Madrid beat Atletico Madrid 4-1 in the Champions League final despite conceding first from the head of Diego Godin, coming back with goals from Sergio Ramos, Gareth Bale, Marcelon and even an awful Cristiano Ronaldo, making it a 10th title for them in the competition, completing their Decima, and making Carlo Ancelotti the second manager in history to win the competition three times.
Atletico Madrid were the much better team until the final 25 minutes of the match: Diego Simeone took out Raul Garcia and brought in Jose Sosa which hurt his ability to press in the midfield, and then Filipe Luis couldn’t carry on, which meant Belgian defender Toby Alderweireld came in. That hurt Atletico’s Madrid shape defensively, and eventually allowed Real Madrid to build enough pressure in order to get their injury time equalizer, and carry that momentum into the next 30 minutes.
Atletico Madrid didn’t allow any space for Real Madrid players except for Gareth Bale throughout the match, but the Welshman kept missing from comfortable situation. Cristiano Ronaldo, injured or simply shaking in a big match once again, didn’t show up. Atletico Madrid won almost every physical battle throughout the match, but Sergio Ramos in a heroic performance that kept his composure despite Atletico’s dominance for the first 65 minutes pushed Real Madrid through their difficult stretch.
A terrible mistake by Iker Casillas allowed Diego Godin to score the deserved opening goal for Atletico Madrid before the end of the first half, which Casillas wasn’t quick enough to save. However, Atletico Madrid gave up on attacking in the final minutes of the second half, leading to the corner that Sergio Ramos scored from. Putting Isco and Marcelo in at the end of the match helped bring on the pressure, while Atletico Madrid didn’t have any substitutions to make and react to needing a goal because they wasted one on replacing Diego Costa early in the match in another big mistake by Simeone.
In Extra time, Atletico Madrid couldn’t stand on their feet, and couldn’t develop enough attacking football to actually win it. Angel di Maria was involved in almost every good moment Real Madrid had offensively, and his break on the right side of Atletico’s defense led to the goal that won the match. Thibaut Courtois saved it, but Gareth Bale scored off the rebound.
The end was a complete collapse for Atletico Madrid: Marcelo scored without anyone bothering, strolling through the middle to make it 3-1, and Cristiano Ronaldo was tripped, getting a penalty kick and goal he didn’t deserve, making it 17 for him in this season, and a chance to flaunt his muscles while Real Madrid began celebrating before the final whistle.