Champions League: Real Madrid decimate Atletico Madrid

Lisbon: Real Madrid won the Champions League for the 10th time (La Decima) thanks to extra time goals from Gareth Bale, Marcelo and Cristiano Ronaldo as they came from behind in dramatic circumstances to beat Atletico Madrid 4-1 in Lisbon on Saturday. Atletico seemed set for their first ever European crown as they led deep into stoppage time thanks to Diego Godin’s first-half header, but Sergio Ramos took the game into extra time with a towering header in the 93rd minute.

And for the second time this season having already scored the winner to hand Real the Copa del Rey against Barcelona last month, Bale scored the crucial goal when he headed into an empty net after Thibaut Courtois had parried Angel di Maria’s effort. With Atletico committed to finding an equaliser, Real were able to counter-attack at will and Marcelo killed the game off when his low shot had too much power for Courtois before Ronaldo sealed his return to Lisbon with a fourth from the penalty spot.

“It is the most important goal I have scored,” said Ramos. “It is an incredible feeling. We kept fighting until the end for the fans. It is not my goal, but one for all Madrid fans, my family and all those that have supported us until the end. We deserved it after so many years.” Real coach Carlo Ancelotti, meanwhile, becomes the first man since Bob Paisley to win the competition three times. “We have done it with a lot of suffering and difficulty, but in the end we have done it and we deserved it. I am very happy for this because we have won a trophy that for Real Madrid is very important,” he said.