Real Madrid 3 Liverpool 1: Gareth Bale overhead kick stuns the Reds - video
It’s a nightmare Champions League final for Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius after two bad mistakes

Real Madrid 3 Liverpool 1
Gareth Bale came off the bench and scored twice as holders Real Madrid beat Liverpool 3-1 in the Champions League final in Kiev.
Welsh wonder Bale scored an outrageous overhead kick within two minutes of coming on and later netted Real’s third. Bale’s goal was so good many pundits and fans believe it’s a better strike than Cristiano Ronaldo’s against Juventus earlier this season.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
It was a great night for Bale and coach Zinedine Zidane as Real secured their third Champions League title in succession and 13th in total. But the match will equally be remembered for two bad mistakes by Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius and an early injury to Mohamed Salah.
Reds stopper Karius gifted Karim Benzema the opener in the 50th minute when the Real striker stuck out a leg after Karius had rolled out the ball.
Sadio Mane equalised within four minutes for Jurgen Klopp’s side but once Bale came onto the pitch he made an immediate impact. After the overhead kick, Bale’s second goal, a long-range strike, was fumbled into the net by Karius to make it 3-1 to Real.
After the match Bale told BT Sport: “Obviously I was very disappointed not to start the game, I felt I deserved it but the manager makes the decisions. The best I have been doing is to come on and make an impact, I certainly did.
“It has to be the best goal in a Champions League final, there is no bigger stage. I am just happy to get the win. It is a team game but when you are a substitute, it is a game of more than 11 players. I made an impact.
“We know what we have achieved and how good we have been. The league was disappointing but we won the Champions League. It turns out to be a great season.
“We let everyone else speak. We know how hungry we are in the changing room, how prepared and motivated we are.”
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - April 22, 2025
Cartoons Tuesday's cartoons - Earth Day, pollen season, and more
By The Week US
-
Wine-tasting in Tuscany
The Week Recommends From biodynamic vineyards to historic cellars, the picturesque region is a wine lover's dream
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK
-
Ukraine-Russia: is peace deal possible after Easter truce?
Today's Big Question 'Decisive week' will tell if Putin's surprise move was cynical PR stunt or genuine step towards ending war
By The Week UK
-
The cult of Cristiano Ronaldo at 40
Talking Point Highest-paid football player in the world still has epic goals in his sights
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK
-
The 'Swiss model' shaking up the Champions League
In the Spotlight Uefa says the new format offers 'greater excitement' but critics say boredom is guaranteed
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK
-
English football and the etiquette of leaving the stadium early
Talking Point The belief that 'true fans stay to the end' does not always apply
By The Week UK
-
The European Super League: a 90th-minute reprieve?
In the Spotlight A European court ruling has potentially breathed new life into the breakaway football league
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK
-
‘Genuine visionary’: is Pep Guardiola the greatest of all time?
feature Spaniard has now won two trebles following Man City’s Champions League triumph
By The Week Staff
-
Champions League final: Man City vs. Inter predictions and preview
feature Can Guardiola’s team finally win the Champions League and complete a historic treble?
By Mike Starling, The Week UK
-
Liverpool 7 Man Utd 0: ‘welcome to Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool 2.0’
feature Anfield’s ‘new front three’ were on fire in the humbling of their bitter rivals
By Mike Starling
-
Where will Cristiano Ronaldo go next?
feature Portugal captain has been linked with a mega-money move to Saudi Arabia
By Mike Starling