HIGHLIGHTS: Gareth Bale double helps Real Madrid win third consecutive Champions League title

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Real Madrid was crowned 2017/18 UEFA Champions League winners after defeating Liverpool 3-1 in Saturday’s final at the NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium in Kiev, Ukraine.

Madrid has won the coveted trophy 13 times, more than any other European club in the history of the competition.

They’re also the first team to win three consecutive Champions League trophies since the competition was rebranded in 1992, beating Atletico Madrid in 2016, Juventus in 2017, and Liverpool this year.

Liverpool was without their talisman Mohamed Salah for most of the match having been forced off through injury after a challenge with Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos.

Madrid had to make a first-half change of their own when they replaced defender Daniel Carvajal after he picked up what appeared to be an ankle injury.

The game came to life following a goalless first-half as the Spanish side opened the scoring through Karim Benzema who pounced on a mistake from Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius who instead of clearing threw the ball right at the striker’s foot for an easy tap-in.

Liverpool responded immediately after through Sadio Mane, but Real Madrid showed their class and regained the lead in astonishing fashion through substitute Gareth Bale who scored a sublime bicycle kick.

Bale added another goal moments later, a belter from 30-yards which Karius was at fault for again as his weak parry was not enough to keep the shot out.

The Spanish giants finished second in their group behind English club Tottenham Hotspur but worked their way to a third successive finals appearance in as many seasons.

Zinedine Zidane’s men have scored 30 goals during this season’s campaign on their way to the final in Kiev.

The Reds, meanwhile, finished top of their group and scored an astonishing 41 goals in this season’s Champions League campaign.