Liverpool 1-3 Real Madrid: Gareth Bale scores stunner amongst Loris Karius blunders

The Wales international, the first British player to score a winner in the European Cup final since Liverpool-born Peter Withe in 1982, produced an influential 29-minute cameo in the 3-1 victory which was a horror show for Karius.

It was a devastating blow for Jurgen Klopp's side, who lost star player Mohamed Salah to a suspected dislocated shoulder midway through the first half.

Real thought they had taken the lead just before half-time when out-of-form Benzema, preferred to Bale, turned in from close range after Ronaldo's header was parried by Karius - but an offside flag cut short the celebrations.

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Karius was embarrassed soon later, however, as he tried to quickly release Dejan Lovren with Benzema in close proximity and the Real striker's decision to stick out a boot paid off handsomely with the farcical 51st minute opener.

The goal was still being debated when Sadio Mane equalised from close range four mintues later, after Dejan Lovren's header from a James Milner corner.

Karius was helpless with Real's next effort as substitute Bale produced an unstoppable world-class overhead kick which dropped just under the crossbar in the 64th minute.

In many ways reminiscent of his manager Zinedine Zidane's goal which won the 2002 final. The Frenchman stood and applauded Bale's sublime effort and he was joined by thousands of Liverpool fans filling almost three-quarters of the ground who, despite the cruel blow, appreciated the quality.

Mane struck the post as Klopp's side rallied, while Andrew Robertson's brilliant last-ditch tackle denied Ronaldo a certain goal which would have ended the match there and then.

Karius blocked Benzema's effort as time ticked down but the goalkeeper was at fault once more seven minutes from time as he allowed Bale's 30-yard strike to slip through his hands. Victory was Madrid's - again.

Madrid claim their 13th title - and fourth in five years - as Zidane became the first manager to win three successive Champions League finals, with Cristiano Ronaldo lifting his fifth European Cup.

It was heartbreaking for Liverpool who had made all of the early running with half-chances for Mane, Roberto Firmino and Trent Alexander-Arnold until the loss of Salah when Sergio Ramos kept hold of Salah's arm as they fell to the ground.

Salah remained motionless, left arm outstretched, and despite trying to return eventually departed a couple of minutes later in tears - after a comforting word from team-mate Mane and Ronaldo.

Match-winner Bale may have won his fourth Champions League trophy but he was one of the first to comfort Karius at the full-time whistle.

Real Madrid are joint third favourites with Sky Bet at 7/1 to win it for a fourth year in succession in 2019 while Manchester City and Barcelona head the market at 6/1. The other clubs at 7/1 are PSG and Bayern Munich.

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Post-match reaction

Gareth Bale: "I was very disappointed not to start the game. I felt like I deserved it but the manager makes the decisions and what can you do?

"The best I've been doing is to come on and make an impact, and I did. Obviously I need to be playing week in, week out and that hasn't happened this season.

"I had a five/six-week injury at the start of the season and I've been fit ever since. I'll have to sit down in the summer and discuss it with my agent and take it from there."

When asked if his opening goal - the stunning overhead kick - was his best ever, Bale said: "It has to be - Champions League final, no bigger stage and I'm happy to get the win.

"We know what we've achieved and we know how good we've been. Obviously we were a bit disappointed in the league but we've won the Champions League and it's been a good season."

Cristiano Ronaldo: "In the coming days there will be an answer about my future for the fans, who have always been by my side. It has been very nice playing for Real Madrid."

Real midfielder Luka Modric: "It's unbelievable. It's something historic. If anyone repeats this in the future it will be very difficult. Twice was something amazing, this is historic.

"They can call this a dynasty in football, it's difficult to find the words to explain this. It's so much hard work we out in day in, day out and we are really going to enjoy this. I don't think anyone will repeat this."

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson: "We knew they were a fantastic side and they were always going to hurt you. They deserved to win. In the first 35 minutes we dominated with the ball and had a couple of chances. It's frustrating obviously but we have to give credit to Madrid.

"We still believed we could go on, a couple of goals that on another night wouldn't have gone in.

"The first one (Benzema's goal) I'm not really sure what happened, I didn't know if it was allowed. And then the overhead kick he can do nothing and the third one the ball has got a load of movement on it.

"It's not about him (Karius) and mistakes he might have made. It's about us as a team, we got here together as a team and we lose as a team.

"We're all together, it's not just about one person. We were just not good enough to get over the line."

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp on Salah being a World Cup doubt: "Yeah it is. Unbelievable. There's something with the shoulder obviously. He's at the hospital having an X-ray."

On Karius: "What can I say? Loris knows it, everyone knows it. That's it. It's a shame it was in a game like this, after a season like this. I really feel for him, a fantastic boy.

"The second one is because of the first one. It's really difficult to get rid of bad thoughts you have in your mind. It was not the best script for us tonight."

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