Sergio Ramos drags Real Madrid to 'La Decima' glory

No need to put your head in your hands today Sergio...

Gareth Bale will get all the plaudits but it is Sergio Ramos who dragged Real to Champions League glory last night.

Real Madrid scored three extra time goals to secure Champions League glory after denying city rivals Atletico in normal time.

Diego Simeone's side were a minute away from adding the prestigious European trophy to their first La Liga crown since 1996 thanks to Diego Godin's first half goal at the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon.

However, Sergio Ramos equalised deep into five minutes of stoppage time at the end of normal time to take the game into extra time.

Gareth Bale put Carlo Ancelotti's men ahead before a late Marcelo goal and Cristiano Ronaldo's penalty gave the scoreline a flattering look for Los Blancos, who have now won 'La Decima' - a tenth European Cup - and their first since 2002.

Atletico were hit by the loss of talisman Diego Costa in the ninth minute as his recent hamstring trouble returned to haunt him.

Gareth Bale had the first real chance of the game in the 32nd minute when he intercepted a Tiago ball across the field and raced into the area, but when he delayed the shot Miranda did enough to put him off as he fired wide of the upright.

The Welshman was left ruing that miss just four minutes later when Atletico took the lead.

Real could not fully clear a corner from the right and when the ball was hooked back in, Godin got above Fabio Coentrao and sent his header over the stranded Iker Casillas in no man's land. Despite the keeper's best attempts to claw the ball back from his goal it was well over the line.

Atletico continued to look comfortable after the break with keeper Thibaut Courtois tipping over a 54th minute Ronaldo free kick, which took a deflection on its way towards goal.

Ramos's cross from the left on 62 minutes was inches above Ronaldo and Karim Benzema was unable to slide in at the back post as Real continued to press.

Atletico defended heroically in the final 10 minutes and looked destined to hold on for an historic first Champions League win until deep into stoppage time when Ramos was left unopposed on the edge of the area as he headed in a Luka Modric right-wing corner.

Following an uneventful first half of extra time, Bale finally got Real in front for the first time on the night on 110 minutes. Angel Di Maria burst into the left side of the area and Courtois did well to save his drive but the ball looped up to the Welshman who headed in at the back post.
Atletico started to throw caution to the wind and were picked off in the 118th minute when Marcelo was allowed to advance into the area before hitting a low strike which Courtois got his hand to but could not keep out of his net.

From the restart Ronaldo raced into the area and won a penalty as he was upended by Gabi. The Portuguese star got up and coolly converted the penalty for his 17th Champions League goal of the season.

There was still time for Atletico coach Diego Simeone to be hauled off the pitch after coming on to continue a spat with Raphael Varane having seemingly being upset when the Real defender kicked the ball towards him following the fourth goal.

However, nothing could take the shine off a memorable night for Real Madrid who are kings of Europe once again.