Champions League title retained by Ronaldo, Real Madrid

CARDIFF, Wales — Cristiano Ronaldo showcased his enduring lethal scoring qualities to ensure Real Madrid became the first Champions League holder to defend its title, netting twice in beating Juventus 4-1 on Saturday.

In an exceptional career in which he keeps rewriting the record books, Ronaldo is the first player in the 25 seasons of the Champions League era to score in three finals.

His first strike was cancelled out by Mario Mandzukic’s exquisite hooked 27th-minute shot but it was the only high point for Juventus on a night when the Italian champion was outclassed in its quest for a first European title in 21 years.

Casemiro restored the Spanish champion’s lead in the 61st, Ronaldo turned in his 600th career goal at the near post three minutes later and Marco Asensio wrapped up a record-extending 12th title in the 90th.

On this one night, Juventus conceded more goals than it had on the journey to the final, having let in only three in the previous three games.

But Madrid’s attacking brilliance proved just too hard for Juventus to contain as Zinedine Zidane won his second Champions League title in 18 months of top-flight management.

Until now, no team since AC Milan in 1989 and 1990, when the cup was only a knockout competition, had won back-to-back titles.

In Rome, Juventus fans watching the Champions League final rushed out of a Turin piazza in panic in what news reports said was an apparent false alarm. Hundreds of people watching the match on giant TV screens ran in a near-stampede from the centre of the piazza. At least one person was seen being carried away on a stretcher.

Firefighters were on the scene. The ANSA news agency said it was apparently a false alarm.