The best UCL moments of the last decade

Real Madrid and Liverpool have met eight times in the Champions League over the past decade, and the clash has produced some of the most memorable UCL moments in the tournament’s history.

When two of the biggest clubs in the world collide in the Champions League, the headlines almost write themselves, especially when the clubs are Real Madrid and Liverpool. The two sides have a habit of meeting in the UCL, but the results have gone in Real Madrid’s favor in recent years.

In fact, Los Blancos defeated Liverpool in seven of their last eight UCL matches, including victories in the 2018 and 2022 Champions League finals. The Reds managed a scoreless draw with the Spanish giants in the second leg of the 2021 quarter-finals, but that is their only positive result in the last decade.

The two clubs are set to meet again in the Champions League stage and the upcoming fixture promises to add more highlights to the developing rivalry. Whatever happens at Anfield, though, it will be hard to top the game’s most iconic moments.

The best goal to come out of recent games between Real Madrid and Liverpool is undoubtedly Gareth Bale’s bicycle kick in the 2018 Champions League final. The Welshman came on as a second-half substitute and then scored arguably the best UCL final goal throughout times just three minutes later.

Marcelo played a high cross from the left flank that caused Bale to turn in the box to meet in the air with his weaker foot. As he went to ground, he sent a spectacular overhead kick past Loris Karius to give his side a 2-1 lead.

The goal would continue to live in infamy, and not just for its quality; Bale’s bicycle kick won the match for Los Blancos, making them the only team in UCL history to secure three Champions League titles in three consecutive years.

Los Blancos met Liverpool in the Champions League final again just four years after Bale’s audacious goal, and this time it was Vinícius Júnior’s name on the scoresheet. In a primarily defensive, cagey match, the Brazilian found the breakthrough for his side in the 59th minute after a brilliant run and delivery from Fede Valverde.

At just 21, Vinícius Júnior announced himself on the world stage with his winner against Liverpool, giving the Madridistas their first European title since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo.

The goal itself may lack the brilliance of Bale’s winner, but it added Real Madrid’s 14th Champions League title to its trophy cabinet and secured Vinícius Júnior’s place in both Los Blancos and UCL history.

Having failed to find a win in their last six UCL games against Real Madrid, Liverpool were hungry for revenge against the reigning European champions when they met at Anfield in the 2022-23 round of 16.

Jürgen Klopp’s side got off to a flying start, going 2-0 up in the first 15 minutes thanks to goals from Darwin Núñez and Mohamed Salah. The Reds had several chances to add to their lead in the first half, but instead it was Vinícius Júnior who got a brace and brought Real Madrid back level before heading into the dressing room.

What unfolded in the second half of the game still seems improbable given how end-to-end the first 45 minutes were. Los Blancos hit the ground running and buried three more goals in the 67th minute to silence Anfield.

Militão’s winner would have been enough to give his side the lead heading into the second leg of the match, but Karim Benzema’s brace effectively punched Real Madrid’s ticket to the quarter-finals before either side had even set foot in the Santiago Bernabéu.

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