Croatian representatives have given a significant contribution to the spectacular Champions League final in Cardiff in which Real Madrid defeated Juventus 4:1 to become the first team to defend the title.
Real Madrid's dream season ended with a bang in Cardiff after they deservedly won the Champions League final against Juventus - becoming the first team to defend the Champions League title, reports HNS on June 3, 2017.
The excellent match displayed highly acclaimed performances by two Croatian footballers, Luka Modrić for Real Madrid and Mario Mandžukić for Juventus. In the end, Modrić's side was victorious, and Luka has thus become the first Croat to win three Champions League titles. This was also the second time that Croatian footballer Mateo Kovačić took home the championship medal with Real Madrid.
??? #CHAMP12NS#HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/qSkwGmddmq
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) June 3, 2017
The fast-paced first half of the match was even, and after pressure by Juventus, Real took the lead thanks to a goal by Cristiano Ronaldo in the 20th-minute.
Just 7 minutes later, the Italian champion came back to equalize with a brilliant bicycle kick by Croatian representative Mario Mandžukić - scoring one of the best goals in the history of the Champions League final. Mandžukić became the first Croat to score in two different Champions League finals, and only the third player to score in the Champions League / European Cup for two different clubs.
While the first half ended 1:1, Real Madrid dominated in the second and scored three goals to become European champions for the 12th time.
A long-range volley by Casemiro put Real back into the lead in the 61st minute, and an excellent assist by Modrić found Ronaldo’s boot for another goal shortly after (3:1). Ronaldo became the first player to score in three Champions League finals, and in doing so, he beat Leo Messi to become the top scorer in the Champions League this season.
The job was finished after the 90th minute when Marco Asensio found the back of the net to make the final score 4:1.
FP: @juventusfc 1-4 #RealMadrid (Mandzukic 27'; @Cristiano 20', 64', @Casemiro 61', @marcoasensio10 90').
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) June 3, 2017
¡CAMPEONES DE EUROPA!#CHAMP12NS pic.twitter.com/VmBZg4liB6
This is the fifth year in a row that a Croat has become the winner of the Champions League.
Congratulations to all of our Croatian representatives in the Champions League final for an incredible achievement!
