Bale hails Cardiff UCL win as “a dream come true”

Oli Fisher
Gareth Bale: Is fit again for Real Madrid

Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale said winning the Champions League in his home city of Cardiff was “a dream come true”.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s brace helped Real Madrid retain the Champions League in surprisingly comprehensive fashion, wrapping up a historic 12th continental crown by overcoming Juventus in a memorable Cardiff showdown.

Juventus started the brighter and Mario Mandzukic’s overhead kick will live long in the memory, but Ronaldo’s brace along with efforts from Casemiro and Marco Asensio left Real celebrating a comfortable 4-1 win.

“To win at home is a dream come true,” Bale told BT Sport 2. “It’s been a hard season and I’ve worked hard. It didn’t seem like I was going to make it to the final but I’ve worked tirelessly at home and it’s the reward you get for all the hard work you’ve put in.

“We’ve made more history. I’m a happy man to win the 12th and we’ll enjoy this moment now.

“What an incredible stadium. The city have done an immaculate job in hosting such a great event and we thank everyone for that.”