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Real Madrid vs Liverpool - LIVE: Champions League final reaction and Mohamed Salah injury latest

Follow latest reaction from Liverpool 1-3 Real Madrid in Kiev after Salah was forced off with a shoulder injury in the first half

Jack Watson
Saturday 26 May 2018 23:47 BST
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Real Madrid lift the Champions League trophy

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Real Madrid have beaten Liverpool FC to claim the Champions League title and lift the European Cup for a third year in a row.

Madrid's victory makes it a record 13 overall and denies Liverpool a sixth crown in their first final since 2007 after last winning it in the memorable 2005 final.

Cristiano Ronaldo was fit and firing but his battle with Mohamed Salah was cut short after the Egyptian was forced off with a shoulder injury in the first half.

Here's how it all played out in Kiev:


What time is it?

The game will kick off in Kiev at the NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium at 7.45pm BST on Saturday 26 May.

Where can I watch it?

The final will be shown live on BT Sport 2 from 7pm BST and also available to watch for free on YouTube. Alternatively, you can follow The Independent’s live coverage above.

45: Karim Benzema picks out Nacho with a cross-field cross. The full back latches onto the ball and volleys into the side netting. What a goal that might have been.

Jack Watson26 May 2018 20:31

45: Three minutes of added time before the break. 

Jack Watson26 May 2018 20:32

45+2: Liverpool need half time because Real Madrid are having their best period of the game. 

Jack Watson26 May 2018 20:33

45+2: Karim Benzema picks up the ball and is slow to be closed down so he shoots from range but drags an effort wide. 

Jack Watson26 May 2018 20:34

Real Madrid 0-0 Liverpool

Jack Watson26 May 2018 20:35

Liverpool started with their usual frightening alacrity but could not find a way through. Trent Alexander-Arnold went close with a powerful effort which was straight at Keylor Navas and Roberto Firmino had some good chances blocked. 

But the real story of the first half was the injury which forced Mohamed Salah to come off after just half an hour. After tangling with Sergio Ramos and landing awkwardly on his shoulder, Salah left the pitch in tears after being treated by physios for an injury to his shoulder

Jack Watson26 May 2018 20:38

Read Madrid started very slowly but held on to withstand the early Liverpool storm. Naturally, they got better after Adam Lallana came on for Salah, and started causing a few problems for Liverpool.

Karim Benzema had the ball in the back of the net after when he converted Ronaldo's saved header, but the flag was correctly raised for offside. Nacho, who replaced the injured Dani Carvajal, also went close when he volleyed Benzema's cross-field cross into the side netting.

Jack Watson26 May 2018 20:41

Steve Gerrard on BT Sport has his say on Mohamed Salah's injury which forced him off in the 30th minute.

"It's a huge blow for Mo because he's been superb all season and the affect its had on everyone for Liverpool has been very big. Liverpool were excellent in the first 25 minutes."

Gerrard, Rio Ferdinand and Frank Lampard are all in agreement Sergio Ramos accidentally fell on Salah's shoulder.  

Liverpool before Mohamed Salah went off: 9 shots

Liverpool after Mohamed Salah went off: 0 shots

Jack Watson26 May 2018 20:43

Jack Watson26 May 2018 20:48

The second half is a couple of minutes away and you can follow all the action right here, if it's even as half as eventful as the first 45 minutes then we're still in for a treat.

Jack Watson26 May 2018 20:49

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