The final of shame and Courtois' miracles

History against the legend. The epic against the talent. The permanent miracle against total football. Two big teams clashed on Saturday. On one hand, Real Madrid, who had more titles - 13 - than any other in the Champions League. On the other, Liverpool, a Premier League emblem. The 2018 final ended up with a controversial Real Madrid win. And even though the Reds beat Tottenham in the 2019 final, they still wanted revenge. Jurgen Klopp’s club had the chance to get it on Saturday, but they met a Madrid kissed by lady luck.

Ancelotti’s team’s path in Europe can only be seen as a miracle. Heroic comebacks against PSG, Chelsea and Man City which only the inexplicable mysticism of the Bernabeu can create. What Madrid did has no footballing sense. They were worse than all their opponents, but ended up eliminating them because of Courtois in goal and Benzema in attack. The saves of one and the goals of the other took them here. The most mediocre Madrid in years reached Paris. Nothing new in their history; they have won a lot while having little. And they did it again, against a team much stronger, technically and tactically and physically.

In a final marked by the shameful organisation, which led to a half-hour delay, Madrid exploited their fortune again. Courtois made great saves and a single Vinicius goal decided it. Champions League history is written like this. They can win titles almost without wanting to. And now they have 14. 

The worst Madrid in years, with no star signings, have won a league and European Cup double. A double which questions the strategy of other clubs who have invested hundreds of millions in world-class players. Florentino Perez is even lucky in that.