CARDIFF – Cristiano Ronaldo struck twice as Real Madrid became the first team to successfully defend their European title in the Champions League era with a 4-1 win over Juventus in Saturday’s final.
It was their third triumph in four years.
Real, who now have a record 12 European Cup wins, grabbed the lead in the 20th minute through Ronaldo, who slotted the ball low into the corner after a clever cut-back from Dani Carvajal following a classic counter attack.
But determined Italian champions Juve drew level seven minutes later, with one of the finest goals seen in a Champions League final.
Croatian forward Mario Mandzukic beat Real keeper Keylor Navas with a perfectly executed overhead kick.
The Spanish champions took charge after the break, however, restoring their lead through a deflected long-range shot from Brazilian Casemiro in the 61st minute.
Portugal forward Ronaldo struck again, from close-range, after fine work by Luka Modric, to score his 600th goal for club and country.
Juve finished with ten men after Juan Cuadrado was sent off in the 84th for a second yellow card after pushing Sergio Ramos and in the final minute of normal time.
Substitute Marco Asensio added a fourth after some poor defending from the Italians. (Reuters)
