Chastening end to night for frustrated Italian side

Cristiano Ronaldo’s brace helped Real Madrid retain the Champions League in surprisingly comprehensive fashion, wrapping up a historic 12th continental crown by overcoming Juventus in a memorable Cardiff showdown.

Juventus started the brighter and Mario Mandzukic’s overhead kick will live long in the memory, but Ronaldo’s brace along with efforts from Casemiro and Marco Asensio left Real celebrating a surprisingly comfortable 4-1 win.

Juventus conceded more in Cardiff than the rest of their continental run combined, seeing them slump to a fifth straight final defeat as Madrid became the first side in the Champions League era to retain the trophy.

It was a chastening end to a night the Bianconeri had started superbly.

After Ronaldo opened the scoring by turning home Real’s first shot on goal, Mandzukic scored a sublime overhead kick – surely one of the greatest ever goals to grace this stage.

But Juventus’ dreams of a first Champions League title in 21 years ended in heartbreak as Madrid upped the ante, regaining their lead as Casemiro’s 30-yard drive flew home via a deflection.

Matters were quickly compounded as Ronaldo turned home at the near post to take his goal tally for club and country to 600.

Gareth Bale came on late in his hometown final and soon saw Real captain Sergio Ramos’ theatrical reaction earning substitute Juan Cuadrado a second booking, with Asensio compounding matters at the death.

Juventus captain Gianluigi Buffon was understandably distraught at the final whistle as, at the age of 39, this could well be his last chance to win the only major trophy to elude him.

Many of the Italian fans waited to applaud the runners-up at the National Stadium of Wales, where the roof was closed due to safety and security reasons as vigilance increased in the wake of the Manchester attack.

Buffon, who made his 622nd appearance for the Italian giants in Cardiff, said: “We are disappointed. We played very well in the first half, we thought we had enough to win the game.

“I cannot explain why we played like we did in the second half. Real Madrid deserved to win in the second half.

“They showed their class and the attitude needed to play in this kind of game.”

Mario Mandzukic celebrates his stunning opening goal for Juve.