Liverpool Are Champions of Europe
After two breathtaking comebacks in the Champions League semifinals, both Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur were confident of ending the season on a high.
After the Reds' 2-0 victory in Madrid, it's safe to say they ended theirs higher.
Neither Mauricio Pochettino nor Jürgen Klopp had ever brought silverware back to their current clubs, so it's the German who's prevailed.
Still, it's been a long time since the lads from Merseyside reached Europe's summit. Their last Champions title was in 2005, and this one adds a sixth star to their shirts.
Sorta.
Following an Imagine Dragons opening show that beat the hell outta Maroon 5 at the Super Bowl, both sides looked nervous as they got the show on the road.
Liverpool quickly broke from the gate, and in a stroke of luck, Sadio Mané's attempted cross to Mohamed Salah brushed Moussa Sissoko's arm inside the area. After a brief check at the VAR, the referee pointed to the spot.
Salah stepped up, and broke the ice at Wanda Metropolitano:
Spurs had a hard time recovering from the early shock and only had chances in long-range shots. Meanwhile, Liverpool were very effective with their high-pressing, even despite their poor game in the offensive zone.
It seemed like Klopp's crew couldn't put two passes together, as they settled for playing long balls from the defense, looking for the front three.
As the second have began, many expected Pochettino to introduce semifinal hero Lucas Moura. The Argentine manager seemed to have other plans, though.
On the other hand, Klopp brought on Divock Origi for Roberto Firmino, expecting to wrap up the game on a counter.
Moral of the story: Don't argue with logic, as all would soon discover.
Tottenham's most dangerous player all night was Son Heung-Min, as both Harry Kane, and Dele Alli may as well have been in a witness protection program.
So Pochettino finally called on Moura in the 66th minute, and Spurs gained an offensive spark. The Brazilian created a good chance, but countryman Alisson Becker was on an inspired night.
But Origi did.
Liverpool wrapped the final up in the 87th minute, as Belgian international capitalized on a loose ball in the box and found the bottom right corner that Hugo Lloris couldn't reach:.
The referee decreed five minutes of additional time, and Tottenham fought until the end, but this one was meant to be for Liverpool.
This was the 'Pool's first bitta hardward since 2012, and they've now surpassed both FC Bayern and Barcelona in Champions League titles.
Spurs claimed UEFA's ridiculously-named Cup Winners' Cup in 1963, so their wait goes on. Still their appearance in this final indicates they could be in the hunt for the next few years.
It's progress.