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    ‘I won us the final’ – Thibaut Courtois demands ‘respect in England’ after NINE saves in Champions League final heroics

    THIBAUT COURTOIS roared “I won us the Champions League final” as the Real Madrid keeper demanded more “respect in England”.The former Chelsea stopper was in stunning form against Liverpool and was man-of-the-match as his NINE saves helped earn Madrid a 1-0 victory.
    Thibaut Courtois has demanded more ‘respect’ after his amazing Champions League final performanceCredit: AFP
    Courtois made a string of incredible saves to deny LiverpoolCredit: Reuters
    Courtois made NINE saves as he was Real Madrid’s hero in ParisCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
    And the Belgian was in bullish mood as he delivered his post-match thoughts to BT Sports.
    Courtois roared: “Yesterday I said when Real Madrid plays in the finals we win it. We have a good set of history. 
    “I had all the tweets coming my way that I would get humbled. Today it was the other way around. 
    “I needed to win a final for my career for all my hard work and to put respect on my name because I don’t think I have enough respect, especially in England. 
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.nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(71,30,121,1);}.css-1uyse24:before{content:”;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;z-index:1;}.css-n392go{border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-1p5s3t0{padding:0;border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-124tga5{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-5jzxpx{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-i1acvs{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,99,73,1);text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}LIVERPOOL 0 Real Madrid 1 .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Vinicius Jr gives Spaniards 14th Champions League title
    “I saw a lot of criticism after a great season that I was not good enough. I’m just really proud of the performance from the team and when I needed to be there I was there for the team. 
    “We have beaten the best clubs in the world. This year, City and Liverpool were unbelievable this season fighting till the end in the Premier League. 
    “Liverpool won two cups and today they were really strong but I think I played a great game and that was the difference today because we had one chance and we scored it.”
    Courtois certainly silenced his doubters on Saturday with a performance that will go down in Champions League final history.

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    The Belgian made copious amounts of saves to deny Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Luis Diaz throughout the game.
    And Courtois’ best effort came just 20 minutes in when Mane unleashed a piledriver at goal.
    But Courtois used every inch of his 6ft 7in frame to turn the ball onto the post.
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    The former Chelsea man left English football on a sour note in 2018 when he joined Los Blancos.
    But having knocked his old side out in the quarters, while also beating Man City in the semis, Courtois made it a hat-trick of English clubs to fall at the wayside by playing a key role against Liverpool. More

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    Three key battles that won and lost Champions League final including Trent Alexander-Arnold against Vinicius Jr

    REAL MADRID secured their 14th European crown with a 1-0 win over treble-chasing Liverpool in Paris. Vinicius Jr scored the winning goal, sweeping the ball home at the back post.
    Benzema helped guide Madrid to a 14th European crownCredit: GETTY
    The Brazilian had right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold’s number all night.
    His direct running stretched the Reds.
    But there were other key battles elsewhere on the pitch, between some of the world’s best defenders, attackers and midfielders.
    SunSport’s Rob Maul breaks down the key battles in Paris.
    Trent Alexander-Arnold v Vinicius Junior
    Trent Alexander-Arnold was given a torrid evening the last time he met Brazilian Vinicius Junior, who scored twice as Real Madrid knocked out Liverpool in last season’s quarter-finals.
    On this occasion, one lapse in concentration was all it took for the lightning quick Madrid left-winger to win the vital personnel duel again.
    Right-back Alexander-Arnold was not even looking over his shoulder when the ball was whipped across the goal by Federico Valverde and poacher Vinicius was at the back post to stab in the winner.
    Vinicius scored the winner after peeling off his marker Alexander-ArnoldCredit: GETTY
    Alexander-Arnold struggled to keep up with ViniciusCredit: GETTY
    Virgil van Dijk vs Karim Benzema
    Virgil van Dijk, the £75million Dutch defender, stood his ground perfectly and kept the French scoring machine Karim Benzema quiet throughout this contest.
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    Benzema, 34, has been the talisman for Madrid’s epic comebacks this campaign but he was unable to add to his 15-goal tally.
    However, there was one moment shortly before half-time when Madrid’s top scorer cleverly evaded the otherwise rigid Liverpool backline and thought he had broken the deadlock.
    But after an uncharacteristic Liverpool defensive blunder, the Los Blancos front man had his goal ruled offside – even following a lengthy VAR check.
    Benzema went up against each of Liverpool’s four defendersCredit: GETTY
    Thiago Alcantara vs Luka Modric
    It would be hard to find two better passers of the ball in European football than this pair but they almost seemed to cancel each other out in the key midfield battle.
    Thiago Alcantara, 31, had been a pre-match doubt with a sore Achilles and though he did not lack the fitness, he was missing that same zip.
    Luka Modric was not at his scintillating best here – England fans saw that at the 2018 World Cup – but the 36-year-old was still able to perform as Madrid’s fulcrum.
    Modric came out on top in the midfieldCredit: GETTY More

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    Liverpool against Real Madrid ratings: Thibaut Courtois with all-time great Champions League final performance

    LIVERPOOL’S season ended in misery as they lost 1-0 to Real Madrid in the Champions League final.Vinicius Jr’s 60th minute strike handed Los Blancos another European Cup to go along with their latest LaLiga title.
    Thibaut Courtois produced a masterclass performance as Real Madrid beat Liverpool to win the Champions LeagueCredit: AP
    Thibaut Courtois put in an iconic performance to keep Liverpool at bay.
    But who else played well for Real and the Reds?
    And did anyone on either side have a shocker?
    Here, SunSport’s Charlie Wyett delivers his Liverpool and Madrid player ratings…
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.nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(71,30,121,1);}.css-1uyse24:before{content:”;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;z-index:1;}.css-n392go{border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-1p5s3t0{padding:0;border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-124tga5{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-5jzxpx{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-i1acvs{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,99,73,1);text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}LIVERPOOL 0 Real Madrid 1 .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Vinicius Jr gives Spaniards 14th Champions League title
    ALISSON – 6
    A mix-up with Konate for the Benzema disallowed goal and then had a scare just before half-time when he nearly gave a goal away.
    No chance for the Vinicius strike.
    TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD – 6
    On a mission to forget his nightmare clash against Real last season and he did just that with some great tackles and blocks – but then caught out badly for the goal.
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    Ibrahima Konate impressed in defence for LiverpoolCredit: Getty
    IBRAHIMA KONATE – 7
    What a great first season he has enjoyed and given the nod ahead of Joel Matip.
    Extremely strong at the back until he got in a muddle with Alisson in the first half.
    VIRGIL VAN DIJK – 6
    Also got caught out by the ball which led to the disallowed goal and then could have done a bit better for the Vinicius strike.
    ANDY ROBERTSON – 7
    Also caught out of position in the move that led to the Benzema offside goal but generally did okay under pressure – and now a massive World Cup play-off on Wednesday.
    Thiago Alcantara put in a good showing despite not being fully fitCredit: EPA
    THIAGO ALCANTARA – 7
    There was a doubt over him starting as he seemed to have an issue in the warm-up.
    Some brilliant passing but got away with a poor header back to Alisson.
    FABINHO – 7
    A fitness doubt before the game was composed in possession and helped protect the defence on the rare occasions Real got forward.
    JORDAN HENDERSON – 6
    Given the nod ahead of Naby Keita and typically hard-working performance and helped Liverpool ticking along without making a major impact.
    Luis Diaz shined early on but seemed to tire in the second halfCredit: AFP
    LUIS DIAZ – 6
    Absolutely terrific player and as we all expected, a real threat down the left throughout the first half but faded badly and was replaced by Jota.
    SADIO MANE – 6
    Doubts over his future and did okay although the service could have done better.
    Had a shot tipped against the post and few chances in the second half.
    MO SALAH – 6
    Three big chances.
    Forced an early terrific save from Courtois but then denied by two even better stops from the Belgian in the second half.
    SUBS: Jota (for Diaz 65 mins) 6, Keita (for Henderson 77 mins) 6, Firmino (for Thiago 77 mins) 6.
    SUBS NOT USED: Kelleher, Milner,  Gomez, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jones, Minamino, Tsimikas, Matip, Elliott.
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    Vinicius Jr ended up scoring the decisive goal on the nightCredit: Getty
    REAL MADRID
    STARTING XI: Courtois 9, Carvajal 7, Militao 7, Alaba 7, Mendy 6, Modric 6, Casemiro 6, Kroos 6, Valverde 7, Benzema 6, Vinicius Junior 7.
    SUBS: Camavinga (for Valverde 85 mins) N/A, Ceballos (for Modric 90 mins) N/A, Rodrygo (for Vinicius Jr 93 mins).
    SUBS NOT USED: Lunin, Nacho, Hazard, Asensio, Marcelo, Lucas Vasquez, Bale, Isco, Mariano Diaz. More

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    Liverpool 0 Real Madrid 1: Heartbreak for Reds as Vinicius Jr wins Champions League final and Thibaut Courtois the hero

    AFTER a 63-match marathon, and on a night of chaos and heartache in Paris, Liverpool’s incredible season ended in a cruel defeat.For the second successive weekend, Jurgen Klopp’s men were denied a trophy in agonising fashion – a second-half sucker-punch from Vinicius Junior and a wonder show from Real keeper Thibaut Courtois robbing them of victory. 
    Real Madrid won the Champions League for a 14th time in ParisCredit: Reuters
    Vinicius Jr converts from close rangeCredit: EPA
    The Brazilian celebrates after scoring the winnerCredit: AP
    Jordan Henderson and Co were left heartbroken at the Stade de FranceCredit: Getty
    Liverpool’s fans had been pepper-sprayed and tear-gassed as kick-off was delayed by more than half an hour by shambolic organisation outside the Stade de France. 
    And just six days after Manchester City’s comeback against Aston Villa robbed them of the Premier League title, Liverpool were pipped again.
    After chasing an unprecedented quadruple for so long, Liverpool end up with ‘just’ two domestic Cups – and both of those won on penalties after goalless draws. 
    But even here, they never ran of gas and they never ran out of conviction either. 
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News.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-gmec1d{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;height:auto;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-align-content:center;-ms-flex-line-pack:center;align-content:center;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:flex-start;justify-content:flex-start;margin-left:calc(-20px/2);margin-right:calc(-20px/2);}.css-fh9577{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-left:calc(20px/2);margin-right:calc(20px/2);}.css-65fvqt{max-width:302px;max-height:294px;}.css-1exhbll{box-sizing:border-box;overflow:hidden;background-color:rgba(237,245,242,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;position:relative;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;max-width:302px;max-height:294px;}.css-bk55po{box-sizing:border-box;display:block;position:relative;margin-bottom:0;}.css-1shocxe{box-sizing:border-box;}.css-1a2irou{box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;}.css-1a2irou 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.nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(71,30,121,1);}.css-1uyse24:before{content:”;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;z-index:1;}.css-n392go{border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-1p5s3t0{padding:0;border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-124tga5{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-5jzxpx{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-i1acvs{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,99,73,1);text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}LIVERPOOL 0 Real Madrid 1 .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Vinicius Jr gives Spaniards 14th Champions League title
    Carlo Ancelotti has now surpassed Liverpool’s Bob Paisley and become the first manager to win four European Cups.
    And Real, with 14 triumphs, now boast twice as many successes in this competition as any other club.
    It can be argued that they did not deserve to defeat Chelsea in the quarter-finals or Manchester City in the semis and they were certainly second-best here. 
    But with their experience, their cunning and the sheer weight of their history, Real almost always seem to find a way.
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    FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
    Those Liverpool fans had travelled in their legions by trains, planes and ferries, taking over vast swathes of the French capital with their ‘ole, ole, oles’. 
    Some had witnessed Liverpool’s triumph in the same city, against the same opposition in 1981, and others in Rome and London and Istanbul and Madrid yet with European Cup Finals it always feels as exciting as the first time.
    But there were indications of organisational chaos hours before kick-off time. 
    Liverpool’s team bus was held up in heavy traffic and there were chaotic scenes near the entrances to the Stade de France. 
    With fans complaining of shambolic organisation and a risk of crushing outside, it was unsurprising when UEFA announced a delay to kick-off 
    With a newly-laid pitch also causing controversy, it felt as if this fixture had been switched from St Petersburg just days, rather than months, ago. 
    The kick-off was pushed back by 15 minutes, then half an hour, then to 36 minutes. 
    And the ‘opening ceremony’ commenced with thousands still desperately trying to get inside – the dancers booed and jeered as they did their unnecessary thing.  
    Karim Benzema rolls the ball into the net… only to be denied by the flagCredit: Getty
    Referee Clement Turpin waves Benzema’s goal offCredit: Getty
    By this stage, some fans with tickets were being pepper-sprayed by riot police. 
    Klopp’s men were favourites but after such an epic season, and even with some cute use of squad rotation, they had been labouring in recent matches. 
    Real, meanwhile, were fresher having sewn up their domestic title before the semi-final victory over Manchester City.  
    Thiago Alcantara and Fabinho were both passed fit to start, giving Klopp his first-choice line-up – remarkable after such a draining campaign. 
    After the delays, the first 15 minutes were understandably sluggish but Liverpool were enjoying plenty of the ball. 
    And from Trent Alexander-Arnold’s low centre, Salah swivelled and forced a decent save from Thibaut Courtois. 
    After a patient passing move, Alexander-Arnold blazed one over the bar.
    Mane then wriggled his way through a mob of defenders and drilled in a shot which Courtois pushed onto the post.    
    Jurgen Klopp reacts during the matchCredit: Getty
    The Frenchman rues Turpin’s decisionCredit: Getty
    Real were sitting extremely deep and even when they broke, the experienced midfield duo of Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Casemiro rarely joined in. 
    Three minutes before the break, though, Real thought they had the lead – only to be denied by an agonising VAR check. 
    Ferland Mendy released Benzema with a sweeping through-ball but after the striker was forced wide, Alisson and Ibrahima Konate got into a horrible tangle – and Federico Valverde sent through Benzema who netted but was narrowly offside. 
    Valverde’s pass cannoned off Fabinho on its way through – and Real clearly felt the goal would stand.
    Liverpool, despite having dominated the first half, had certainly got away with a call that could have gone the other way. 
    As a result of that, it felt cagey and tense at the start of the second period. Alexander-Arnold was tirelessly up and down the right flank and David Alaba survived a penalty shout for handball when Salah drove a shot straight at him. 
    But suddenly Real were in front, breaking the Liverpool press, then Valverde on the right angling a centre which caught the Reds defence square, Vinicius darting in behind Alexander-Arnold and poking past Alisson at the far post.
    Less than a minute earlier the Brazilian scorer had high-fived Klopp in the Liverpool manager’s technical area.
    The air of bonhomme didn’t last long.
    Salah then cut in from the right and unleashed a curling shot destined for the far corner until Courtois, fully stretched, slapped it away. 
    With Real pulled out of shape again, Courtois scrambled to block from Salah, the Belgian keeper having a belting game.
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Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}NO KIDDING .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}I rushed son to A&E after finding ‘hole’ in mouth & then realised huge blunder
    Courtois made another tremendous save from Salah, who ought to have squared for Sadio Mane. 
    Mane is likely to leave for Bayern Munich after this. He didn’t deserve to go out on such a crushing low – and neither did any of Klopp’s marathon men.
    Thibaut Courtois denied Mo SalahCredit: Getty More

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    Who is the Liverpool vs Real Madrid referee Clement Turpin?

    FRANCE do not have a team in the Champions League final but they do have their best referee.Clement Turpin is the man in the middle in Paris for Liverpool vs Real Madrid.
    Turpin is only 39 but has over 10 years’ experienceCredit: Getty – Contributor
    Who is Clement Turpin?
    Turpin is one of the most experienced whistlers heading to this summer’s tournament. 
    The Frenchman began in the National league in 2006, taking just two years to reach Ligue 1 and the highest rung in the domestic ladder.
    In 2010 he was given Fifa listed status, meaning he could branch out into Europe.
    Since then he has reffed in 2014 and 2018 World Cup qualifiers and was in the middle during Euro 2016 in his home country.
    Turpin was in the middle for last month’s Europa League finalCredit: PA
    You may recognise Turpin from the Europa League final in Gdansk last year, where he was ably assisted by Jérôme Brisard and Benjamin Pages.
    Those two assistants have worked with the Frenchman for years.
    Ahead of the 2021 match between Man Utd and Villarreal he said: “I feel very proud.
    “Not only for myself, but also for my assistants, who have accompanied me for a number of years, and for all referees in France.
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    “I never said to myself that I would referee a European final one day.
    “From the start, I preferred to set myself small targets and challenges along the way.
    “I’ve never had a particular role model as a referee, but I’ve watched other referees and taken little bits of what they do and incorporated them into my own refereeing.”
    But now he has gone one better to referee the Champions League final. More

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    Watch Thibaut Courtois’ outrageous save to deny Sadio Mane as Liverpool and Real Madrid battle for Champions League

    THIBAUT COURTOIS produced an outrageous save to deny Sadio Mane in the Champions League final.Liverpool and Real Madrid battled for European glory in Paris on Saturday night.
    Thibaut Courtois produced an incredible save to deny Sadio ManeCredit: Getty

    And both sides named strong sides as they looked to triumph in the final game of the season.
    But it was Liverpool who dominated the first half at the Stade de France.
    The Reds took control of midfield before launching attacks through the channels.
    And it almost paid off in the 20th minute when Mane found himself with a clear sight on Real Madrid’s goal.
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.nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(71,30,121,1);}.css-1uyse24:before{content:”;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;z-index:1;}.css-n392go{border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-1p5s3t0{padding:0;border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-124tga5{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-5jzxpx{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-i1acvs{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,99,73,1);text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}REAL MAD .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Fans slam Champions League final camera angle as Liverpool vs Real Madrid starts
    The Senegal star twisted and turned as he outfoxes several Real Madrid defenders.
    And as soon as the space opened up, Mane fired a scorcher at Real’s net.
    Ex-Chelsea goalkeeper Courtois was forced to use every inch of his 6ft 7in height to get down and deflect the ball to safety.
    But Real fans got a shock as instead of going out of play, it hit the inside of the post.
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    FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
    The ball then went back across Real’s six-yard box, fortunately avoiding Courtois as he sat lay on the ground.
    But the Belgian reacted quickly when he saw what happened, getting up before leaping onto the ball.
    Liverpool continued to dominate proceedings in the French capital.
    But they too were let off the hook just before half-time when Karim Benzema scored.
    A lengthy VAR check took place as the ball had gone in following a goalmouth scramble.
    And footy boffins determined it was due to offside – despite the ball appearing to come off a Liverpool player.
    But Real eventually took the lead in the 60th minute when Vinicius Jr sneaked in at the back post to tap home. More

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    Champions League final controversy with huge VAR delays as Karim Benzema has goal ruled out for offside

    REAL MADRID were left bemused after a Karim Benzema goal was chalked off at the end of the first half.The Frenchman thought he had given his side the lead after firing home a loose ball – only for the linesman to raise his flag.
    Karim Benzema could not believe his goal was ruled outCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
    Karim Benzema thought he’d put Real Madrid aheadCredit: Getty
    VAR adjudged the Real Madrid striker to have been offside
    VAR then stepped in but after a delay of three minutes and 22 seconds the officials decided to stand by the offside call.
    Benzema was judged to be in an offside position as he was behind goalkeeper Alisson with only Andy Robertson between him and the goal.
    But the ball appeared to come off Ibrahima Konate and then Fabinho to fall into Benzema’s path.
    However, Fabinho did not intentionally play the ball backwards and therefore the officials had to rule out the goal.
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Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-1x7hydu::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -0.5px);}.css-1x7hydu::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Read More in 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.nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(71,30,121,1);}.css-1uyse24:before{content:”;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;z-index:1;}.css-n392go{border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-1p5s3t0{padding:0;border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-124tga5{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-5jzxpx{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-i1acvs{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,99,73,1);text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}LIVERPOOL 0 Real Madrid 1 .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Vinicius Jr gives Spaniards 14th Champions League title
    On BT Sport’s coverage of the match Rio Ferdinand said: “The ball comes off a Liverpool player and it’s deemed offside?”
    “If I’m a Real Madrid player, I’m going bananas in that changing room!”
    Benzema broke in behind the Liverpool defence brilliantly to get onto the end of David Alaba’s superb long-range pass, before striking what he thought was his 16th Champions League goal of the season.
    Alisson would have breathed the biggest sigh of relief inside the Stade De France as he failed to cut out Benzema’s initial cutback and instead sparked chaos as the ball deflected off his knee.
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    Ex-prem referee Mark HalseyHere’s what SunSport columnist Mark Halsey said:
    KARIM BENZEMA’S disallowed goal for offside in the first half of the Champions League final was the correct decision.
    This was a complex situation and that is why it took three minutes and 22 seconds for the VAR team to make their call.
    The first thing to say is the Real Madrid striker was in an offside position because there was only one Liverpool player between him and the goal.
    Benzema originally had broken the offside trap, cut inside and after a mix up between Alisson and Ibrahima Konate, the ball broke to Federico Valverde.
    The Real midfielder touched the ball forward and that is key because although Konate and Fabinho deflected the ball into Benzema’s path, their actions were deemed as not a deliberate play, the initial offside does not get reset.
    Law 11 offside states: a player in an offside position at the moment the ball is played or touched by a team-mate is only penalised on becoming involved in active play by gaining an advantage by playing the ball or interfering with an opponent when it has: rebounded or been deflected off the goalpost, crossbar, match official or an opponent

    But Real Madrid did later take the lead on the hour mark with Vinicius Jr tapping home Valverde’s low cross after being judged onside, but by a tight margin.
    And that was enough with Liverpool unable to find a way past an imperious Thibaut Courtois as Madrid ran out 1-0 winners to lift the trophy.
    Unfortunately for Uefa, Benzema’s disallowed goal was one of several controversial incidents during the Champions League final.
    Fans watching at home complained that the TV angle was too distant while also slamming the pre-match performance of singer Camilla Cabello.
    There was also chaos outside the stadium as fans were blocked from entry, leading to the game being delayed three times and eventually kicking off at 8:36 pm GMT. More

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    Who is Jurgen Klopp’s wife? Ulla Sandrock, a children’s novelist known as ‘first Lady of Bundesliga’

    THEY say that behind every great man lies a great woman – and Jurgen Klopp has revealed that his wife wanting to stay in Liverpool was a big reason behind his longevity at the club.The Reds boss has always kept his family life relatively private, with his current wife thought to have moved in with him after just THREE days of dating.
    Klopp and his wife Ulla have been together since 2005Credit: Manchester Evening News
    Here’s everything to know about the woman behind the Liverpool manager who is looking to lead the Reds to English football’s first ever cup treble.
    Who is Jurgen Klopp’s wife?
    Klopp’s wife Ulla Sandrock has been in a relationship with the Liverpool manager since December 2005.
    The couple met whilst Sandrock was working as a bar waitress during the Munich Oktoberfest.
    She is a children’s novelist who published her first book – ‘Tom and the Magic Football’ – which is about a magic football that leads an 11-year-old boy to become an amazing footballer.
    Ulla Sandrock is a published children’s authorCredit: FEDERICO GAMBARINI/AFP via Getty Images
    Ulla (right) at the 2022 Champions League finalCredit: Getty
    The book was published in 2008, with a sequel following in in 2010.
    She used to be a teacher in Kenya, teaching local kids there.
    Why was she dubbed the ‘First Lady of Bundesliga’?
    Klopp’s kind-hearted wife was dubbed ‘the First lady’, due to her charitable actions and Jurgen Klopp’s status whilst he was working in Germany.
    She also worked as a nurse whilst in Nairobi and helped starving children recover whilst there.
    Ms Sandrock also made headlines in April this year when she handed out £1,000 food vouchers to supermarket staff at a Waitrose branch in Formby, close to their family home.
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    The sequel cover of ‘Tom and the Magic Football’
    Liverpool’s manager has always been full of praise for his wife with both of them having children from previous marriages when they got together.
    He’s talked about her books publicly saying: “It’s like Harry Potter but about football. There’s no flying on his f****** stick.”
    Sandrock was more graceful when she told the press that the book illustrated the “fascination of football” and “the longing for a distant hero world”. More