Real Madrid have become the first team to retain the Champions League trophy after a 4-1 win over Juventus in Saturday's final at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
Cristiano Ronaldo put Zinedine Zidane's charges in front 20 minutes in, becoming the first player to score in three different Champions League finals in the process.
Mario Mandzukic equalised for Juve with a spectacular overhead kick but the Bianconeri collapsed in the second half as Casemiro and Ronaldo struck in quick succession just after the hour.
Substitute Juan Cuadrado was sent off late on for a clash with Sergio Ramos, before Madrid substitute Marco Asensio put the icing on the cake by scoring in the 90th minute as the La Liga giants sealed their 12th European Cup triumph.
Read how the action unfolded in Wales with Sports Mole's play-by-play updates below.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the Champions League final from the National Stadium of Wales in Cardiff!
So, this is it. After months of titanic tussles between the best teams on the continent, we are down to the final two. Tonight, in Cardiff, Italian giants Juventus will face off against Spanish heavyweights Real Madrid for the most illustrious club football trophy in the world.
Los Blancos are the current Champions League holders, having triumphed at the San Siro against city rivals Atletico Madrid last year. Zinedine Zidane's charges are hoping to become the first side to defend the trophy since its revamp in 1992, as well as clocking up their 12th European Cup overall.
Juve, meanwhile, are chasing a trophy they haven't won for 21 years, having lost four times in the final since. The Bianconeri have swept aside all before them in Italy over the last few years, but can they finally deliver on the continent?
As well as the game itself, there are quite a few sub-plots within this fixture. One of those is the homecoming of Welsh hero Gareth Bale, formerly the world's most expensive footballer, who may or may not start for Real Madrid tonight in his home city.
© Getty Images
Bale has been sidelined since picking up a calf injury against Barcelona on April 23, but he is now fit - however, will Zidane pick him in the starting XI over the in-form Isco, who has scored five goals in his last eight games?
We're expecting team news to come through in the next 10 minutes or so, but here's an interesting tweet from Italian journalist Tancredi Palmeri...
Confirmations on Real Madrid starting with Bale and 4-3-3! Florentino won it again. Suicidal? — Tancredi Palmeri (@tancredipalmeri) 3 June 2017
On the subject of sub-plots, here's another big one - Gianluigi Buffon. Arguably the greatest goalkeeper of all time, the Juventus man has pretty much won everything there is to win in football - but the Champions League medal is one notable omission. Will he put it right tonight and, if not, will he get another chance, given that he turns 40 next year?
Defeat to Barcelona two years ago looked like it would be his last opportunity to lift the Champions League but, at 39, the evergreen Italian is back for another tilt at glory.
We finally have our team news and needless to say, Mr Palmeri has got his prediction wrong...
REAL MADRID STARTING XI: Navas, Carvajal, Ramos, Varane, Marcelo, Casemiro, Kroos, Modric, Isco, Ronaldo, Benzema
REAL MADRID SUBS: Casilla, Nacho, Bale, Kovacic, Asensio, Morata, Danilo
As many predicted, Bale has not been picked in the Los Blancos starting XI. Zidane has opted to give the in-form Isco the nod, while the Welshman may get the chance to impress from the bench.
Zidane has made just one change from Real's La Liga win over Malaga on the final day of the season two weeks ago as Dani Carvajal starts over Danilo at right-back, while James Rodriguez has not made the 18-man squad and Lucas Vazquez also misses out.
Now for the Juve line-up...
JUVENTUS STARTING XI: Buffon, Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini, Alves, Sandro, Pjanic, Khedira, Dybala, Mandzukic, Higuain
Massimiliano Allegri has named the same Juve XI that started the second leg of their semi-final against AS Monaco last month. Gianluigi Buffon in goal, while Mario Mandzukic, Gonzalo Higuain and Paulo Dybala lead the attack.
JUVENTUS SUBS: Neto, Benatia, Lichtsteiner, Cuadrado, Marchisio, Lemina, Asamoah
There are seven changes from the Bianconeri XI which saw the Serie A season out against Bologna a week ago, but with Allegri having opted to rest his first-team stars for what was essentially a dead rubber, the team is now back to full strength and raring to go ahead of tonight's clash.
So how did tonight's contenders get to the final? Let's start with Juventus, who topped Group H ahead of Sevilla, Lyon and Dinamo Zagreb before making light work of Porto in the last 16, winning 3-0 on aggregate, then facing the mighty Barcelona in the quarters - and coming out on top with another 3-0 aggregate scoreline.
It didn't get any easier in the semi-finals for Juve, having to face a highly impressive AS Monaco side brimming with young world-class talent, but the Bianconeri made light work of them too, beating them 4-1 on aggregate to make the final in Cardiff.
Named in Group F alongside Borussia Dortmund, Legia Warsaw and Sporting Lisbon, Real had a fairly easy time in their group, finishing eight points ahead of third-placed Legia, but behind Dortmund.
Los Blancos were then given a relatively easy last-16 draw and indeed beat Napoli 6-2 on aggregate before vanquishing Bayern Munich 6-3 on aggregate in the quarters, and they once again got the better of city rivals Atletico Madrid - the third time in four seasons - with a 4-2 aggregate win.
Roars from the crowd as both sets of players come out and begin their warm-ups on the pitch. The atmosphere is absolutely electric here.
HEAD TO HEAD: These two have met 18 times before in the European Cup - but only once in the final. The year was 1998, the venue the Amsterdam Arena in the Netherlands, and the winners Real, thanks to Predrag Mijatovic's 66th-minute goal.
Just the one goal settled it that night - will it be a similar scoreline tonight? Given Real's wonderful attacking credentials and Juve's world-class defence, it will be interesting to see whether it will be a multi-goal thriller or a tight affair.
Now for some words from the managers, starting with Max Allegri: "We have worked hard all year and the wins this season have been all about reaching this game. But we need to win and we need to understand when will be the moments to attack and when to defend. We have to have the belief that we can bring that cup home and we have to be fiendish to strike when Real offer us an opening."
"Two finals in three years is an important step but it is not enough. We have to win and we must be tough, technically and tactically. We aren't here to visit Cardiff - we came here to win and take that trophy back home. In 2015 we got to the final and deserved it but perhaps we didn't feel confident enough because we had come out of a number of years of struggling in the Champions League. We didn't expect to win but now it is different."
© AFP
Now for some words from Zizou: "We've done a lot of work all season, to win the Liga and to get to this final. What's most important is that we're all prepared, and we are. In football, you have to give it your all. I've lost many matches, so I know it's possible to lose. It's the same for Juventus. We're going to try to play our game; we know we're going to play against a great team. What everyone who likes football wants to see is to see a great final."
"We know all about pressure at Real Madrid. We're always favourites, but in reality in a final there are no favourites. We're not favourites, nor are Juventus. It's 50-50. But we're in the final again, and everything is possible. I expect an open game on both sides. I've lived and been at Juventus, in Italy there's the famous catenaccio, but Juve don't just have that. I expect an open game."
Alongside Buffon and Bale, two other players in the spotlight tonight will be Gonzalo Higuain and Cristiano Ronaldo. Juve's Argentine striker will line up against his former side after four years of superb form in Italy, and is eager to exorcise his miss in the World Cup final against Germany in 2014, which he claims haunts him to this day.
Ronaldo... well, what hasn't been said about the Portuguese prodigy? Another season, another load of records broken. This will be his fifth European Cup/Champions League final - only three players have featured in more: Paolo Maldini, Paco Gento (8), and Alfredo Di Stefano (7).
Ronaldo has reached the 10-goal mark for the sixth consecutive Champions League campaign – no other player has done it on more than two consecutive seasons. He's also played more than any other outfield player in this season's competition.
So what more history can be made tonight? Well, Ronaldo or Sergio Ramos could become only the second player to score in three different European Cup/Champions League finals after Alfredo Di Stefano, who found the net in five different finals.
In addition, Alvaro Morata or Mario Mandzukic could become only the third player to score in the European Cup/Champions League final for two different teams after Velibor Vasovic (Partizan Belgrade, Ajax) and Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester Utd, Real Madrid) - Morata netted for Juventus in the 2015 final whilst Mandzukic scored against Dortmund in the 2013 contest.
Now for a performance on the pitch by the Black Eyed Peas, which also features a load of dancers and plenty of flashing lights. The crowd's loving it... (shifty eyes emoji)
Two minutes to go until kickoff and all the props for that performance have to be taken off the pitch. The players are standing around anxiously in the tunnel just wanting to get on with it...
And here they come! The Champions League anthem blares out for the last time this season as all the players and personnel come out onto the Principality pitch. Now comes ambassador Ian Rush with the trophy itself... the ultimate prize.
The handshakes are now out of the way and finally the players can get down to business. Kickoff is immiment!
KICKOFF! The 2017 Champions League final is finally underway as Juventus get things started!
Juve are wearing their usual kit of black and white stripes, white shorts and white socks, while Real are wearing their all-purple third kit - the Italians make a bright start down into Real's final third but Modric is hacked down by Khedira for a free kick.
Isco and Benzema combine down the left touchline, but Barzagli is quickly out to snuff out the danger.
Alves dispossesses Kroos and whips a cross in towards Higuain but the latter's header is easily saved by Navas in the Real goal.
CHANCE! Higuain has a pop at goal from distance and Navas spills the ball but, with no Juve player nearby, the keeper has plenty of time to gather.
CHANCE! Best one of the game so far and it's Juve who threaten once again as they work the ball into the final third and a poor defensive header from Carvajal sees Pjanic perfectly placed on the edge of the box, but his sweetly struck drive is acrobatically palmed away by Navas.
Ronaldo gets on the ball on the inside right channel and plays it forward, but Juventus clear their lines. Close to 10 minutes played and the Italians have been the better side by far.
BOOKING: First yellow of the night goes to Dybala, who's cautioned for clattering into Kroos as the Real man looked to break away.
Real starting to apply a bit more pressure as Benzema goes down the left channel and crosses into the Juve area, but Chiellini heads clear.
Casemiro gives away the ball in the centre but Higuain fails to capitalise as Madrid win possession back, before Carvajal goes on to give away a free kick deep inside the Juve half.
Real continue to grow into the game as Marcelo and Benzema play a one-two before the Brazilian whips a cross into the box, but Juve's defence remains strong as ever and Chiellini gets the ball away.
Mandzukic and Ramos have a bit of afters after the Real defender nudges his opponent to the ground in the box.
GOAL! JUVENTUS 0-1 REAL MADRID (CRISTIANO RONALDO)
And the deadlock is broken in Cardiff, courtesy of the great Ronaldo, but it was wonderful football by Real to split the Juve defence open! Los Blancos maraud down the pitch as Benzema finds Cristiano, the Portuguese plays a quick one-two into the box with Carvajal and curls the ball past Buffon from just inside the area!
That was Ronaldo's 104th Champions League goal and his third in a CL final. Literally running out of superlatives to describe the guy.
GOAL! JUVENTUS 1-1 REAL MADRID (MARIO MANDZUKIC)
Oh my days! That was absolutely sensational! Juve have been piling on the pressure in the last few minutes and they draw level in spectacular fashion as Higuain works the ball to Mandzukic in the box, he controls the ball with his chest and, with his back to goal and little room to manoeuvre, strikes it over his head and beyond Navas in the Real goal!
CHANCE! Now Ronaldo attempts to notch up a spectacular goal of his own as he pounces on a poor Juve header out of the box and goes for a bicycle kick, but it hits an opposition defender and is cleared.
BOOKING: Now Ramos goes into the book for a foul on ex-Barcelona man Alves.
CHANCE! Marcelo reaches the Juve byline and works a cross towards Ronaldo, but the Portuguese scuffs his header way wide of goal.
Juve now win a free kick about 30 yards from goal as Dybala is brought down again, but he fires the set piece into the Real wall.
Another Bianconeri free kick, about 40 yards out - this time Pjanic takes it, hoping to pick out Chiellini's run, but Ramos is on hand to clear.
We have a break in play now as Mandzukic stays down after Carvajal slides in on him, and the physios come on to administer a bit of care.
Mandzukic is back on his feet and good to go, and with five minutes to go, the tempo of the game has slowed right down, with Juve on the front foot in terms of momentum.
BOOKING: Carvajal now goes into the book after a clumsy foul on Mandzukic.
The ball is being worked around patiently by Real just outside the Juve area and Carvajal sends a dangerous cross towards the back post but Buffon coolly plucks the ball out of the air.
With the action petering out here just before the break - two minutes of stoppage time announced - Casemiro goes for glory from 30 yards out but his effort curls well wide of goal.
HALF TIME: JUVENTUS 1-1 REAL MADRID
Referee Felix Brych blows his whistle and that's a wrap for the first half, with Juve and Real all square.
And what an exhilarating half of action that was too. The first half of a cup final tends to be a cagey affair but both sides have really gone for it right from the off, with the result a feast for the eyes of all those watching in the stadium and on TV.
Juve were quickest out of the starting blocks but Real drew first blood through Cristiano Ronaldo following a slick counterattack. However, their lead did not last long as Mario Mandzukic struck a frankly ridiculously good goal - a breathtaking overhead kick which looped past Keylor Navas into the net - on 27 minutes.
In last 5 seasons, Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 23 more #UCL goals than any player
66 C.Ronaldo
43 L.Messi
39 R.Lewandowski
31 T.Muller pic.twitter.com/lBsRdWz0tq — Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) 3 June 2017
3 - Mario Mandzukic is the 3rd player to score in a European Cup/CL final for 2 different teams after Velibor Vasovic & C. Ronaldo. Stunner. — OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) 3 June 2017
HALF-TIME STATS: Juve have registered eight chances on goal, four of which were on target, completed 193 passes, and managed 47 percent possession. Meanwhile, Real have mustered five shots, just one of which was on target, but completed 249 passes and enjoyed 54 percent possession. Just one corner in this game, which fell to Juve.
The Juve players are already out on the pitch as the officials come out, while the Real players are still in the tunnel... now they're also heading out. Not long until the second half gets underway.
KICKOFF: The purple shirts of Real get the second half underway. Will this game be settled in the next 45 minutes, or can we expect extra time or even penalties? Sports Mole is on hand to bring you all the action as it happens!
Now it's Real who are quick out of the starting blocks as Ronaldo salvages a seemingly lost ball by getting to the byline and whipping it towards the centre of the Juve area where Benzema is lurking, but Chiellini is on hand to clear.
Wonderful ball from Marcelo which Isco tries desperately to sprint on to, but Barzagli gets there first and puts it behind for a corner, which comes to nothing.
An early break in play as Bonucci goes down briefly, looks like he took a blow to the face while defending that corner, but he's patched up and can continue.
Now it's Alves who goes down after being hacked down by Isco, but he gets up - albeit gingerly - and looks fine to carry on.
BOOKING: Kroos is cautioned after he goes in late on Khedira. Very stop-start so far in the second 45.
Another blow of the ref's whistle after Sandro clatters into Modric.
CHANCE! Real work the ball well into Juve's final third and Modric gets a great strike on the ball from around 25 yards out, but it's straight at Buffon.
A Juve attack breaks down and Real get the chance to go forward, they probe patiently, hoping to unlock the opposition defence - and they come close through Marcelo, who whips a cross to the back post, but it's just too heavy for Ronaldo and it ends up about two yards wide of goal.
Isco drifts into space and gets the better of his man but ends up shooting well wide off his left foot.
GOAL! JUVENTUS 1-2 REAL MADRID (CASEMIRO)
Real are back in front and it's an unlikely goalscorer in Casemiro, who decides to have a go from about 30 yards out - the ball ends up taking a heavy deflection off Khedira and it dips past Buffon into the bottom-left hand corner!
GOAL! JUVENTUS 1-3 REAL MADRID (CRISTIANO RONALDO)
Cristiano Ronaldo scores his 600th (SIX HUNDREDTH!) goal for club and country - and it could well prove to be the decisive goal for his side tonight! Modric plays a one-two before getting to the byline and pulling the ball back for Ronaldo to ghost in and coolly slot past Buffon!
SUBSTITUTION: Juan Cuadrado replaces Andrea Barzagli for Juventus as Max Allegri aims for a more attacking setup.
Honestly, is there anything this man cannot do? He's on a hat-trick tonight, having helped his side in pole position for a second consecutive Champions League trophy. Unreal.
© SilverHub
BOOKING: An increasingly frustrated Juventus accrue another caution as Sandro goes into the book for a late slide on Varane.
BOOKING: And another booking for Juve as Cuadrado, who came on as a sub just a few minutes ago, sees yellow for a clumsy tackle from behind on Ronaldo.
CHANCE! Benzema dances through the ragged Juve defence and slips the ball into the path of the onrushing Marcelo down the left, he then cuts back to Ronaldo, but the man of the moment skies a shot over the bar.
Juve have conceded as many goals in this game as they had done in all their previous 12 matches in this season's competition.
SUBSTITUTION: And here he comes... with Real holding a two-goal lead and bossing the play, Gareth Bale comes on in place of Karim Benzema. Can the Welshman add the cherry on top in front of his compatriots?
SUBSTITUTION: And slightly less newsworthy, Juve make their final change as Mario Lemina comes on for Paulo Dybala.
CHANCE! Nearly a dream moment for Bale as Ronaldo gets down the right and fires the ball across the six-yard box, but Bonucci gets in the way and the chance goes amiss!
CHANCE! Juve within a whisker of getting back within one goal as an Alves free kick finds the head of Sandro, but his flicked header drifts wide of the far post.
SUBSTITUTION: Another change for Real as Marco Asensio replaces Isco.
RED CARD! Oh that is shameful. A small confrontation between Cuadrado - who was already on a booking - and Ramos, following a tackle on the Juve man, sees the former give the latter a slight nudge, and the Real man goes down as if he's been shot. The ref buys it and Cuadrado's off the pitch following a second yellow.
CHANCE! Another possible glimmer of hope for Juve goes begging as Mandzukic, in plenty of space in front of goal, connects with a swerving cross but steers the ball wide of target.
SUBSTITUTION: A final change for Real as Alvaro Morata replaces Toni Kroos.
GOAL! JUVENTUS 1-4 REAL MADRID (MARCO ASENSIO)
Game, set and match. Ronaldo's free kick strikes the wall but it's recycled and Marcelo has all the time and space down the left byline to inch his way towards goal before cutting back towards centre, where Asensio slots home with ease.
Four minutes of time added on here in Cardiff.
FULL TIME: JUVENTUS 1-4 REAL MADRID
And that's it! The final whistle blows and the Real players and personnel go crazy as they become the first team in the Champions League era to retain the European Cup!
Joy for Real, who claim their 12th European Cup, the Duodecima, but heartbreak for Juventus, who lose their fifth Champions League final in a row as Los Blancos end up making light work of their opponents here in Cardiff.
That's all we've got time for here but don't go anywhere as Sports Mole is on hand to bring you the match report from Cardiff, as well as player and manager reaction, plus all the latest news and developments following the game! Thank you for following and, until next time, goodbye!
Written by
Giuseppe Labellarte
Giuseppe Labellarte
