Sports
What a shot! What a goal!
Updated : Jun 04, 2017, 01:11 AM IST
The 2017 Champions League final got off to a flyer after Cristiano Ronaldo put Real Madrid ahead in the 20th minute. However, not to be outdone, Juventus’ Croatian livewire Mario Madzukic seized the initiative with a mind-blowing equaliser!
Taking the ball with his back to goal, Mandzukic took the ball on the chest before sending an overhead kick into the top corner that Navas could absolutely do nothing about.
Italian champions Juve made an imposing start with three early shots fired at Real goalkeeper Keylor Navas, although Zinedine Zidane's side took full advantage of their first opening when Ronaldo clinically side-footed home Dani Carvajal's cut back on a counter-attack in the 20th minute.
Striker Mandzukic, formerly with Real's city rivals Atletico Madrid, pulled Juventus level with a cracking overhead kick which flew over the outstretched Navas in the 27th minute.
Ronaldo's goal meant he became the first player to score in three finals in the Champions League era, joining the late Real great Alfredo di Stefano by scoring in more than two European Cup finals. The Argentine, who passed away in 2014, netted in a record five finals between 1956 and 1960.
Watch the goal below:
Mario Mandzukic answers back for Juventus with a fantastic scissor kick finish. WOW! #Juve #UCLFinal pic.twitter.com/YOgpfkmOFE
— Def Pen Sports (@DefPenSports) June 3, 2017
Great Goal from @Mario_Manzukic #uclfinal2017 pic.twitter.com/RvS2GS0Sba
— IG:Dieff Landry (@Diefflandry) June 3, 2017
"MANDZUKIC! SPECIAL! THAT IS SO SO SPECIAL!"
— Iconic Commentary (@CommentaryLimbs) June 3, 2017
Mandzukic for Juventus vs Real Madrid#ucl #forzajuve #uclfinal2017 pic.twitter.com/bY7XL0XibM
#UCLFinal2017
— Daniel Holloway (@RFCdan) June 3, 2017
When your girl comes to watch you play: pic.twitter.com/0ZqLQxVxqd
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Earlier, Gareth Bale was denied a dream start in the Champions League final in his home city of Cardiff as the Welshman was left out of Real Madrid's starting line-up against Juventus on Saturday.
Spain international Isco was given the nod over Bale, who has not played since injuring his calf on April 23 but was named on the substitutes bench, clearing up the only doubt in Zinedine Zidane's selection.
Colombian James Rodriguez, the Golden Boot winner at the 2014 World Cup, did not make the matchday squad.
Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri opted for an all-Italian three man back line of Giorgio Chiellini, Andrea Barzagli and Leonardo Bonucci, with Juan Cuadrado missing out.
Teams:
Juventus: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Alves, Khedira, Pjanic, Alex Sandro; Dybala, Higuain, Mandzukic,
Real Madrid: Keylor Navas; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Kroos, Casemiro, Modric, Isco; Benzema, Ronaldo