REAL MADRID SETS UEFA CL HISTORY
Ronaldo cements status as one of the best ever, scores two goals vs. Juventus
After another potent demonstration of Cristiano Ronaldo’s enduring scoring prowess, surely no Real Madrid fan can contemplate criticizing him now.
Particularly after the world player of the year ensured Madrid pulled off one of soccer’s hardest feats, becoming the first team to successfully defend their Champions League title.
The fans who irritated Ronaldo so much ahead of Saturday’s final due to their whistling were silenced in emphatic style with two goals in a 4-1 victory over Juventus that gave Madrid a record-extending 12th European crown.
“People don’t have words to criticize,” Ronaldo said, “because the numbers don’t lie.”
They certainly don’t after another incredible season, even at the
Real Madrid becomes first team to defend UEFA champions league trophy
age of 32.
“My age is just a number,” Ronaldo said. “I feel like a young boy.”
At the end of the 25th season of the Champions League, Ronaldo is the first player to score in the three of the competition’s finals. And having lifted the European Cup once with Manchester United, Ronaldo has done it three times in four seasons with Madrid.
It’s the latest piece of silverware in an incredible 12 months for the forward.
It began with Ronaldo winning his first title with Portugal at the European Championship. Then came the Club World Cup with Real Madrid and the end of a five-year Spanish title drought before new highs were reached in the Champions League.
His career goal tally in club and
Ronaldo increases international tally—for club and country—to 600 goals
international soccer now stands at 600.
Ronaldo’s first strike at Millennium Stadium was canceled out by Mario Mandzukic’s exquisite 27th-minute hook shot. 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.
Madrid’s supremacy was clear in the second half.
After Casemiro put the Spanish champions back in front in the 61st, Ronaldo turned in the third at the near post inside three minutes, and Marco Asensio wrapped up the scoring in the 90th.
Juventus conceded more goals on the night than it had on the journey to the final, having let in only three in the previous three games. /
People don’t have words to criticize, because the numbers don’t lie. CRISTIANO RONALDO