THE KEY MOMENTS IN PARIS

2022-05-29 -

LAST night’s Champions League Final in Paris will be remembered for the brilliance of Thibaut Courtois as Real Madrid won their 14th trophy.

Here, LIAM SHAW breaks down just how they did it.

MINUTES 0-15

DELAYED kick-off led to a cagey start as fans slowly but surely filtered in after pre-match crowd trouble.

Sadio Mane took an early knock after a kick from Casemiro (who else?) but was able to carry on much to Liverpool’s relief.

LIVERPOOL came to life as goalkeeper Courtois twice saved Real Madrid from going behind.

First, Mo Salah’s goalbound poke was kept out before Mane forced the Belgian shot-stopper to tip on to his post.

NO final would be complete nowadays without the controversy of VAR.

Real hit-man Benzema had the ball in the back of the net, the linesman flagged for offside and after much debate the video assistant referee agreed.

IT WAS first blood Madrid when Vinicius Junior fired at the back post.

Trent Alexander-Arnold switched off to allow the Brazilian ace to strike – the first player born in the 2000s to score in a Champions League final.

SALAH went desperately close but once again the brilliant Courtois was on hand to deny the Egyptian forward.

Jurgen Klopp opted to shuffle the pack and bring on Diogo Jota in place of Luis Diaz.

CASEMIRO should have put the game to bed but tried to find Benzema and got it all wrong.

Courtois was then once again on hand to deny Salah and ensure Madrid became champions of Europe for the 14th time.