KIEV, Ukraine – Gareth Bale's eye-catching scissor-kick helped Real Madrid to a third consecutive Champions League title Saturday with a 3-1 victory over Liverpool, which was thwarted by a pair of goalkeeping blunders by Loris Karius and Mohamed Salah being forced off injured.
Making an explosive impact as a second-half substitute, the 28-year-old Bale showcased athleticism and technique of the highest quality by sending Madrid in front with only his fourth touch of the final in the 64th minute.
The Welsh star, who added another goal in the 83rd minute when his shot squirmed through Karius' hands, said he was not happy about being a reserve. "I need to be playing week in, week out, and that hasn't happened this season for one reason or another," Bale said.
Salah, who has scored 44 goals this season, landed heavily on his left shoulder in a twisting fall after 25 minutes. Madrid captain Sergio Ramos stepped away from the scene unpunished, and Salah could not continue, and the injury leaves the World Cup hopes of the "Egyptian King" in jeopardy.
"Of course it was a little shock to the team," said Liverpool coach Juergen Klopp, who suffered his sixth successive loss in a final, including a 2013 Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich while Borussia Dortmund coach.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
