Juventus vs Real Madrid, Champions League final live: Ronaldo scores a brace as Real defend their title

All the action from the Champions League final at the National Stadium in Cardiff

(Getty)

Real Madrid face Juventus in Saturday's Champions League final with the Spanish giants looking to secure a historic 12th European crown. It is the biggest game in European club football - possibly the world - and it is coming to British shores.

• 'An appointment with history' beckons for Real Madrid and Juventus this Saturday night
• How Real Madrid and Juventus are two very different types of European giants
• Cristiano Ronaldo is a better player than I ever was, says Zinedine Zidane ahead of Champions League final
• Why the midfield battle will be so crucial for Real Madrid and Juventus
• Andrea Pirlo thinks Juventus are well placed to atone for their 2015 heartbreak tonight

Follow all the action in the live blog below...

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What time does it start?

The game kicks off at 7.45pm BST on Saturday 3 June.

Where can I watch it?

The game will be shown live and for free on BT Sport Showcase (Freeview channel 115, Sky channel 414, Virgin channel 548) and for BT subscribers on BT Sport 2.

It will also be broadcast for free on the BT Sport website here, on YouTube here and on the BT Sport app.

Highlights will be shown on ITV1 at 10.45pm BST.

Preview

Defeat to Barcelona in April's memorable El Clasico ensured a tense finish to La Liga for Real Madrid but seven league wins in a row saw Zinedine Zidane's men wrap up the title on the final day of the season. The Spanish giants are looking to secure a historic 12th European crown on Saturday and will become the first side to defend the Champions League trophy should they win.

The big talking point for Real before Saturday is whether Gareth Bale will make the starting line-up in his hometown. The Welshman is struggling for match fitness after an ankle injury and admitted this week that he may not play the full 90 minutes. Isco is most likely to take his place.

Juventus enjoyed a more sedate climax to the Serie A season, cantering home to a sixth successive title as well as winning the Coppa Italia. But for all their domestic success, Juve's record in Europe is a disappointing one when compared to other big sides across the continent.

However, after dispatching Porto, Barcelona and neutrals' favourites Monaco on the way to the final and with manager Max Allegri having a fully fit squad to pick from, Juve will fancy their chances of picking up a third European crown.

It's a big game for...

Cristiano Ronaldo is looking to pick up his fourth Champions League crown as a player (Getty Images)

Cristiano Ronaldo: After turning 32 earlier this season, many questioned whether the Portuguese forward was past his best. While less likely to roam around the pitch and dominate the play as in his younger days, Ronaldo has now adapted his game to become one of the best poachers in Europe.

After notching 49 goals in as many appearances this season there would be no better way to prove the doubters wrong and cement his place as favourite for a fifth Ballon d'Or with a man of the match performance and a winners' medal on Saturday.

Remember when

It has been 19 years since these sides met in the Champions League final in Amsterdam. Real ran out 1-0 winners thanks to second-half strike from Predrag Mijatovic.

Zinedine Zidane, who played in midfield for Juve that day, will be hoping his evening turns out differently this Saturday.

Player to watch

Paulo Dybala has scored four times in the Champions League this season (Getty Images)

Paulo Dybala: The diminutive Argentine has been at the heart of everything for Juve this season, scoring 19 goals and providing seven assists.

Linked with a move away in the summer, a strong performance on Saturday would surely see him rated as one of the most expensive players in world football.

Past three meetings

Real Madrid 1 Juventus 1

Champions League, May 2015

Juventus 2 Real Madrid 1

Champions League, May 2015

Juventus 2 Real Madrid 2

Champions League, November 2013

Form

Real Madrid: WWLWWW

Juventus: WWLWWW

Odds

To win in 90 minutes

Real Madrid: 7/4

Juventus: 2/1

Draw: 9/4

[3 June 2017 16:20 · Samuel Lovett]

Good afternoon and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of tonight's Champions League final between Juventus and Real Madrid.

We'll be bringing you build-up throughout the afternoon for a fixture Sergio Ramos has described as an "appointment with history".

For Real Madrid, Zinedine Zidane's men are bidding to become the first side to retain the trophy in the modern era and claim a 12th European Cup in doing so. As for their opponents, Juventus remain on course for a historic treble as they look to get their hands on the Champions League trophy for the first time since 1996. 

Stay tuned for updates, team news and a minute-by-minute report of this evening's showdown!

Juventus and Real Madrid go head to head in Cardiff 

[3 June 2017 16:30 · Samuel Lovett]

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[3 June 2017 16:45 · Samuel Lovett]

[3 June 2017 17:10 · Samuel Lovett]

[3 June 2017 17:35 · Ben Burrows]

The roof is closed in Cardiff. Kick-off is now only a little over two hours away...

[3 June 2017 18:08 · Ben Burrows]

Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane firmly believes this one could go either way.

"We know all about pressure at Real Madrid," he said earlier this week.

"We're always favourites, but in reality in a final there are no favourites.

"We're not favourites, nor are Juventus. It's 50-50. But we're in the final again, and everything is possible." 

[3 June 2017 18:27 · Ben Burrows]

There is lots of chatter that Gareth Bale may indeed have won his race to be fit to play from the start here.

It would of course be a huge occasion for the Welshman playing on his home soil.

It would appear that Zidane's decision comes down to one of Bale or Isco, with the Spaniard having been in fine form over the last few weeks in his teammate's absence.

A little over half an hour to wait before all is revealed.

[3 June 2017 18:41 · Ben Burrows]

[3 June 2017 18:42 · Ben Burrows]

Well, there it is. Gareth Bale starts... from the bench.

As predicted for much of the week Zidane has opted for the in-form Isco in his place.

The Welshman will still surely get his chance to make his mark tonight, he'll just have to wait that little bit longer.

Elsewhere, Dani Carvajal starts at full-back in a full-strength first choice for the 11-time champions.

[3 June 2017 18:50 · Ben Burrows]

And here's the Juve team.

Buffon (c), Alves, Chiellini, Bonucci, Barzagli, Sandro, Khedira, Pjanić, Mandžukić, Dybala, Higuaín.

Very much as expected also with Sami Khedira beating Claudio Marchisio for a spot in the centre of the park.