2022 Champions League Final Result: Who won Liverpool vs Real Madrid, Man of the Match, Attendance

Liverpool suffered heartbreak in the Champions League final when a second-half goal from Brazilian star Vinicius Junior helped Real Madrid to a narrow win at the State de France.

It was off-field affairs that dominated the build-up to the much-anticipated clash, as tens of thousands of Liverpool supporters were locked in outside the stadium amid chaotic scenes and utter disorganization.

UEFA decided to delay kick-off by more than half an hour and when the action finally got going it was the Reds who split into the competition.

But they were met by an inspired performance from former Chelsea goalkeeper Thibault Courtois as he frustrated the likes of Mo Salah and Sadio Mane in a largely Red-dominated opening 40 minutes.

But Jurgen Klopp’s men survived a major scare when their La Liga opponents surprisingly ruled out a goal for offside five minutes before half-time.

A defensive mix-up ended with Karim Benzema scoring from close range – but a VAR decision meant the goal was ruled offside, despite the ball coming from Liverpool midfielder Fabinho before the final try.

There was no let-up for the Reds just before the hour mark when Luka Modric launched a counterattack which ended with a routine finish from the lively Vinicius.

Liverpool pushed forward in the last half hour but defensive performance and an impressive display from Real number one Courtois ensured the famous trophy returned to the Bernebeu for the fourteenth time.

Liverpool: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, van Dijk, Robertson, Henderson (Firmino), Fabinho, Thiago (Keita), Salah, Mane, Diaz (Jota) Subtitle: Milner, Gomez, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jones, Minamino, Tsimakas, Matip, Kelleher, Elliott

Real Madrid: Courtois, Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Mendy, Modric (Ceballos), Casemiro, Kroos, Vinicius (Rodrygo), Benzema, Valverde (Camavinga) Subtitle: Nacho, Hazard, Asensio, Marcelo, Lunin, Vazquez, Bale, Isco, Mariano

Unsurprisingly, it was the inspired Thibault Courtois who took home the Man of the Match award after his impressive performance was rewarded with a goal against which laid the groundwork for Real Madrid’s victory.

The former Chelsea stopper delivered a defiant message after the game as he lashed out at a perceived lack of respect from English football players.

He told BT Sport: “Today I had to win a final for my career despite all the hard work to get some respect for my name because I don’t think I get enough respect, especially in England.

“I saw a lot of criticism, even after a great season, (saying) I wasn’t enough.

“I’m just happy and proud of the team’s performance. We stuck to that and when I needed to be there, I was there for the team.”

Over 80,000 spectators sold out to witness the final between two of European football’s truly historic clubs.

But it wasn’t the preparations on the field, but things off the field that dominated the headlines in the hours leading up to kick-off.

Random planning caused chaotic scenes as tens of thousands of Liverpool supporters were confined outside the stadium for over two hours and viciously pepper-sprayed by French police.

Kick-off was delayed by more than half an hour as a result of events, as UEFA wrongly relayed the message that the decision had been made because the fans were late.

A UEFA statement read: “In the run-up to the match, the turnstiles at the Liverpool end were blocked by thousands of fans who had bought counterfeit tickets that didn’t work in the turnstiles,” the statement said.

“This led to a conglomeration of fans trying to get in. As a result, kick-off was delayed by 35 minutes to allow access for as many fans as possible with real tickets.

“When the number outside the stadium continued to increase after kick-off, the police dispersed them with tear gas and forced them out of the stadium.

“UEFA understands those affected by these events and will urgently investigate this matter further together with the French police and authorities, as well as the French Football Federation.”

The Reds released their own statement, saying: “We are extremely disappointed by the stadium access issues and security perimeter collapse faced by Liverpool fans at the Stade de France tonight.

“This is the biggest game in European football and the fans shouldn’t have to live through the scenes we witnessed tonight.

“We have officially requested a formal investigation into the causes of these unacceptable issues.”