Gareth Bale Keeps On Proving He’s Real Madrid’s Man for the Biggest Occasions

Real Madrid won the UEFA Champions League on Saturday thanks to a penalty shootout victory over Atletico Madrid, 5-3, after a 1-1 draw in 90 minutes and extra time.

Cristiano Ronaldo hit the winning penalty after Juanfran struck the post to ensure his side won the trophy against their city rivals for the second time in three seasons, but the Portuguese forward actually had an extremely quiet and ineffective game beforehand.

Instead it was Gareth Bale who once again showed his capacity to take Real to great heights, with the Welshman arguably his side’s top performer and one of the keys to staying level with Atletico in the 120 minutes preceding PKs.

End product, big games

Bale was a constant threat throughout the match at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, even when Atletico dominated possession for long spells after falling behind. He was a powerhouse in the air, winning near-post flick-ons and going close to a goal of his own with an effort off a set-piece and a shot or two on the run.

Most importantly of all, of course, it was Bale who created Real’s only goal of the game with a fine header on from an under-hit free-kick, which Sergio Ramos then turned home from close range.

Bale has come up big for Real Madrid in so many important games already. The 2014 Champions League final, when Bale scored the winner against Atletico, is one example, but he also netted in the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona that season and in the FIFA Club World Cup final.

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