Champions League final player ratings: Real Madrid beat Liverpool with Thibaut Courtois perfect as Salah fails to get revenge

Real Madrid beat Liverpool 1-0 in the Champions League final to deny Jurgen Klopp’s side a cup treble and claim their own 14th European Cup trophy.

Kick-off was delayed by more than 30 minutes for problems for fans getting into the stadium. After it finally got underway, Liverpool started better as the tempo rose.

However, Real had the ball in the net first, just before half-time, courtesy of Karim Benzema. However, it was ruled out due to a complicated offside.

He was behind Alisson Becker, with only one defender between him and the goal. Even though the ball came to him from a Liverpool deflection, a lengthy VAR check upheld the decision.

Madrid did get a goal that counted just within the hour. Federico Valverde played a low cross for Vinicius Junior to tap home first time.

It turned out to be the only goal of the game and therefore the winner. Madrid have therefore completed the double of La Liga and the Champions League.

They especially had goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to thank for their clean sheet and win. Outfield, the likes of Eder Militao and Casemiro stood out in dominant performances.

For Liverpool, Ibrahima Konate tried his best to stop Real, but at the other end, his teammates misfired. Therefore, it was heartbreak at the end of a busy season for Liverpool.

Liverpool

Alisson Becker: Rarely tested in the first half. Had a couple of nervous moments on the ball towards the break. Didn’t have time to do anything different for the Vinicius goal. Tried to help his team’s impetus on the ball after. 6/10

Trent Alexander-Arnold: Helped spark the game into life with a good dribble into the Madrid box. Blazed one of his own efforts over the bar shortly after. Caused some problems with crossing from either foot throughout. Let his guard down briefly when Vinicius scored the opener but defended decently overall. 7

Ibrahima Konate: Stood up strongly to limit danger from Vinicius early on and remained strong in the first half, apart from his role in Real’s disallowed goal. Liverpool’s best player. 8

Virgil van Dijk: Couldn’t stop the cross from Valverde before the first goal. Calmly won some headers at other times though. 6

Andy Robertson: Kept Real quiet on the right in the first half and pushed forward. Had some energy but the goal came from a move starting on his side, where he was out of position. 6

Fabinho: Featuring against his former club, looked comfortable in possession. Picked up the game’s first yellow card for an untidy challenge on Valverde just after the hour-mark. Wasn’t as assured beyond that point. 6

Jordan Henderson: Often pulled to the right-hand side to help Liverpool’s momentum in attack. Made up ground in the opposite direction too. Perhaps unlucky to be taken off as Jurgen Klopp freshened things up. 7

Thiago Alcantara: Passing a fitness test to make the starting lineup, he took a few minutes to settle and then found his customary range. Quietened as it went on. 6

Mohamed Salah: Despite being out for revenge, struggled to find or make use of space throughout the first half. Finally curled one for Courtois to save beyond the hour mark. 5

Sadio Mane: Lacked space but looked to find attacking angles. Stung Courtois’ palm with a venomous effort after 20 minutes. Had less influence in a frustrating second half. 6

Luis Diaz: Was initially a threat on the left-hand side with his direct approach, but sometimes had to turn back. Was the first player to come off. 6

Substitutes:

Diogo Jota (on for Diaz, 65 mins): Stuck to the left-hand side after replacing Diaz, struggling to change things much despite battling. 6

Naby Keita (on for Henderson, 77): Wasted a big chance that fell to him on the edge of the box in the final 10 minutes. 5

Roberto Firmino (on for Thiago, 77): Brought on to adjust Liverpool’s system to a more attacking one and instantly looked to get on the ball. 6

Give our social media channels a follow – we’re on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Real Madrid

Thibaut Courtois: Got down smartly to save the first shot on target of the match. Produced an outstanding stop to tip a powerful Mane effort onto the post. In doing so, allowed his side to settle into the game. Commanded his goal-line well for the remainder, showing good reflexes – including to thwart Salah a couple of times. Man of the match. 10

Dani Carvajal: Faced pressure from Diaz from the outset, sometimes defending strongly, but began to concede a couple of fouls. Kept the first chance of the second half at bay with a brave aerial intervention. Was comfortable from that point on. 8

Eder Militao: Made some blocks in and around his own area during the first half. After the break, showed his strength in aerial duels. 9

David Alaba: Returning from an injury picked up in the semi-final a month ago, settled with an early interception. Stayed alert as the game progressed. 8

Ferland Mendy: Generally defended well on the left-hand side of the backline. Salah’s quiet showing was perhaps somewhat down to the efforts of his marker. 7

Casemiro: Grew into the game at the base of Madrid’s midfield, both on and off the ball. Won some challenges to avert pressure in a dominant second half. 9

Toni Kroos: Got his foot on the ball more in the second half, helping his side gain more control after they scored. Also assisted in breaking up the play. 7

Luka Modric: Tidy in possession in the first half. Showed his class more in the second half with his footwork and passing. 8

Federico Valverde: Improving as the game went on, at times had decent footwork on the right-hand side. Fired across the assist for Vinicius’ goal and enjoyed himself thereafter. 7

Karim Benzema: Refused to be restricted to a centre-forward position in the first half, trying to get involved, but that was perhaps out of frustration due to a lack of chances. Showed his instincts to finish just before half-time after working it well, but it was ruled out for offside. Was otherwise useful for hold-up play. 7

REAL MADRID LEAD! 🔥

Vinícius Júnior steals in at the back post to tap home from close range ⚽️#UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/owgAzrA75V

— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) May 28, 2022

Vinicius Junior: Viewed as an outlet on the left wing, was kept under close watch by the Liverpool defence but was still able to dribble dangerously. Got his breakthrough by finishing first time to make it 1-0. 8

Substitutes:

Eduardo Camavinga (on for Valverde, 85): Had one shooting chance but aimed over. N/A

Dani Ceballos (on for Modric, 90): Almost had a chance to seal it but couldn’t make the most of it after getting behind the defence. N/A

Rodrygo (on for Vinicius, 93): Came on in the third of five minutes of stoppage time. N/A

READ MORE: David James provides main reason why Mo Salah could leave Liverpool, predicts Sadio Mane future