The game had it all; intensity, hard work, opportunities, posts, incredible saves & plenty of yellow cards & three reds cards: Jose Mourinho, Cristiano Ronaldo & Gabi. A tense extra-time as the nerves overwhelmed many & with a sideline "brawl" included between Club benches, players & Coaches. It was a "classical derby" & Final.
The first half started with both team nervous & accelerated, but Real Madrid struck first with a brilliant 14th min header by Cristiano Ronaldo. To Atletico´s merit they kept at their game plan & in an excellent Falcao won a ball midfield & passed to Diego Costa who equalized in the 34th min.
From here Real Madrid lost the match. Four clear chances that were not taken with either the post intervening or the brilliant young Atletico de Madrid goalkeeper Courtois stopping the ball. Ozil hit the post in the 42nd min, Benzema hit the post in the early second half & another post close to the end, it was clear that the Football "Iron Law" would be applied ( if you miss your goals you will lose ).
The game rose in tension - Mourinho was sent off for protesting - & it was rough stuff, as Atletico played with their hearts & fought for every ball. The Atletico fans sang all night & pushed their team onwards with the official 90 mins finishing 1 -1 & going into extra-time.
Atletico de Madrid hit hard in the 98th min with the second & to be winning goal by a Miranda header that brought the Atletico part of the stadium down with joy. A moral blow to Real Madrid which was tired & Di Maria, Higuain & Arbeloa came on to give oxygen to the team. Real Madrid had another clear chance which Higuain missed with a spectacular Courtois save, another missed opportunity.
From here Atletico held out & stood firm to defend the result. Real Madrid grew more & more frustrated & Cristiano Ronaldo lost his nerves with a foul on Gabi that gave him a red card & the sideline brawl afterwards. It was clear that the Final had been lost.
Some names that need to be mentioned: excellent game from Diego Costa & Captain Gabi, with goalkeeper Courtois tonight on another level who was absolutely brilliant. Great win for Atletico & a barren year for Real Madrid without any titles which will cause "shock-waves" at Real Madrid in coming days & weeks.
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