Now that Real Madrid are officially “Kings of Europe” following the dramatic conclusion of the UEFA Champions League , played in Lisbon, Portugal on Saturday afternoon, they can celebrate the historic “La Decima”, their 10th title.
No other team in the history of the European tournament has reached that goal, but today, Real proved to the world that it is not only a collection of very well payed, high profile players, but an entity that knows how to win a difficult game under pressure.
For the Real Madrid fans — dubbed the Madridistas — who collectively held their breaths until the fantastic header by Sergio Ramos in extra time, this victory couldn’t be sweeter, following the disappointing third place in the Primera Division of La Liga, after being in contention for the title almost until the last week of the season.
But on this night in Lisbon, the backyard of Real Madrid superstar, Cristiano Ronaldo, things were not meant to be for Diego Simeone and his team, the Spanish League champions for 2014.
Atletico Madrid doesn’t have any big names in their roster, but they proved — with consistency and determination — that they are a force to contend with, holding Barcelona and Real in the last critical weeks of the La Liga season.
The UCL final between Real Madrid and Atletico was nothing short of heartstopping until the very end, with Ramos really coming through when things looked bleak, as time ran out. His goal allowed “Los Blancos” the chance of playing for that elusive 10th title.
Let’s take a look at some of the most exciting moments of the Real Madrid win of “La Decima” as we saw them on Twitter:
#UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/K1wdMy6KPp
— Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 24, 2014
— FutbolBible (@FutbolBible) May 24, 2014
#UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/LOH4qadjOq
— Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 24, 2014
— Football Jokes (@Footy_Jokes) May 24, 2014
http://t.co/S8hJ4FDINO pic.twitter.com/055qAMzoWr
— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Ronaldo7net) May 24, 2014
http://t.co/mHpYy9kYsh pic.twitter.com/Sd4nU9UKXh
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) May 24, 2014
— TheCristianoFan (@TheCRonaldoFan) May 24, 2014
— Isco Disco (@MadridistaFacts) May 24, 2014
http://t.co/rkDiqFLfFk pic.twitter.com/IO001AdLM6
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) May 24, 2014
— RMadrid’s Family (@RMadridFamily7) May 24, 2014
http://t.co/MmHcbuiTKt pic.twitter.com/oFV6lfvDh9
— The Kathmandu Post (@kathmandupost) May 25, 2014
Carlo Ancelotti is given the bumps by his Real Madrid players #UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/Y393BUgIWw
— FansAllStar Football (@FASfootball) May 24, 2014
Twt Varane: #realmadrid selfie time! pic.twitter.com/rrFOFMCt2h
— SB (@Realmadridplace) May 24, 2014
pic.twitter.com/g9BQxfiEJP
— ?fficial ZIPORANK (@ziporank) May 25, 2014
And so, Real Madrid prevailed in one of the most exciting endings to the UEFA Champions League final, which saw city rivals face each other in Lisbon to crown them 2014 European Champions.
[Image via Twitter]
