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BY DAVID SAFFER Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior scored the only goal of the UEFA Champions League final to crush Liverpool’s dreams of winning a seventh crown at the Stade de France in Paris.

Records were broken with Madrid’s 14th triumph. Carlo Ancelotti is the first manager to win four finals (two with AC Milan and Madrid). But he was indebted to a stellar goalkeeping display by man of match Thibaut Courtois throughout an absorbing contest.

Ancelotti has eclipsed Liverpool’s Bob Paisley and Madrid’s Zinedine Zidane’s three Euro crowns. He also won two as a player with Milan. Madrid skipper Karim Benzema, Luka Modric, Dani Carvajal, Marcelo, Gareth Bale and Isco have now won five Champions Leagues, a joint record. Only Real Madrid’s Paco Gento with six has won more European Cups.

Away from the action however UK Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries has called on UEFA to investigate “deeply concerning” scenes outside the stadium. The kick off was delayed 35 minutes.

UK sports minister Nigel Huddleston tweeted, “We are very concerned about the upsetting scenes and shall be working with the appropriate authorities to find out what happened and why.”

UEFA issued a statement explaining that turnstiles at the Liverpool end became blocked by thousands of fans with fake tickets that did not work in the turnstiles. As numbers continued to build French police used tear gas and pepper spray to disperse fans waiting to get into the stadium.

Dorries said it was important to “learn lessons” in everyone’s interest.

UEFA were “sympathetic” to those affected by events and would “review these matters urgently” with the French police, authorities and French Football Federation.

Gerald Darmanin, Minister of the Interior of France, blamed fans with fake tickets and thanked police for mobilising.

Liverpool fans told media outlets about shocking scenes. And Merseyside Police’s matchday officers tweeted that the scenes for a European match were the worst they had experienced, adding that fans behaviour at the turnstiles was “exemplary in shocking circumstances”.

Liverpool FC issued a statement before the game noting their huge disappointment over entry issues and a breakdown of the security perimeter.

“Supporters should not have to experience the scenes we have witnessed tonight,” they noted. “We have officially requested a formal investigation into the causes of these unacceptable issues.”

The incident drew global headlines and overshadowed what should have been a showpiece occasion between two of the greatest club sides in world football.

On the field the La Liga champions took the spoils but Jurgen Klopp’s side could have won this game but Courtois, who made a record equalling nine saves, was on top form to deny Mo Salah and Sadio Mane when both looked set to score. Salah had nine attempts on goal and will rue missed chances.

Liverpool were looking to avenge Madrid’s 3-1 triumph in Kyiv four years ago and dominated the first half before Real’s skipper Karim Benzema, who scored 15 goals in the campaign, had a goal disallowed just before half time. The glory goal came when Federico Valverde crossed for Vinicius to strike from close range on 59 minutes.

Ancelotti told BT Sport: “I can’t believe it. We had a fantastic season. We did really well. It was a difficult game and we suffered a lot, more so in the first half. In the end I think we deserved to win this competition.” Commenting on Courtois, he said, “Wow. Unbelievable. I can’t believe it.” Six days earlier Liverpool lost out on the Premier

Madrid crush Liverpool’s dreams but chaos outside stadium

League title race to Manchester City to dash their quadruple efforts. This loss will arguably be tougher to take, but they have lifted the BY DAVID SAFFER League Cup and FA Cup in a 63-match campaign when Reiss Mogilner scored six goals as Maccabi they have lost just four London Lions thumped Scrabble A in the games. second round of the Cyril Anekstein Cup. Critics will point out to Liv-

Th e Premier League side racked up a 16-0 erpool failing to score a goal win with Daniel Green and Michael Kenley in five-and-a-half hours acboth bagging a hat-trick. Ed Brafman, Da- tion in three finals and they vid Dinkin, and Adam Hassanali complet- only triumphed in penalty ed the rout in a mismatch of a tie. shoot outs but that is a harsh

Lions could have scored in the opening assessment. City’s Pep Guarminute of the clash but soon opened the diola and Klopp dominated scoring and led 9-0 by half time. the domestic scene, there are

Th e Division One team, though out- 18 Premier clubs that would classed, battled away to the end. gladly take half what the An-

Lions boss was lost for words at full time field club achieved. When such was the display from his team who the initial hurt subsides fans gave every respect to the opposition. can look back on an exhila-

“I’m not really sure there’s anything to rating campaign when their say, we are happy to make it through to the team battled on four fronts next round of the cup,” he commented. and went agonisingly close

Hendon United Sports ran out 3-1 victors to creating history. against League One outfi t North London Jurgen Klopp told BT Raiders. Sport: “In the dressing room

Th e Premier side led early in the second nobody feels it was a great half only for Raiders to equalise but struck season. We maybe need two late goals to book a place in round a few hours for that. It was three of the competition. the two decisions against us

Hendon now turn their attentions to the with the smallest margins league as they travel to Oakwood A for a possible. We played a good crucial top of the table clash on Sunday game, not a perfect game. (10am). We had a lot of shots but not

Daniel Kristall’s team stunned the league the clearest. Courtois made leaders last month when they won 2-0, a two top saves. The boys tried everything, victory would move them to within a point especially at 1-0 down.” He added, “It’s not of Hendon with a match in hand. bad to get to the final. It’s a kind of success.

Elsewhere in the latest round of fi xtures, Not the success you want to have. But I have 10-man North London Galaxy made it a a strong feeling we’ll come again. Where’s three-way title race in the only Division One it next season? Istanbul? Book the hotel.” clash of the day after defeating Oakwood B. Liverpool’s heroics aside no one can deny

Jamie Murray saw red early on but Galaxy Madrid deserved this triumph. They are the rallied with goals from Josh Cohen and Ja- masters of knowhow in this tournament. cob Leigh to record an important 2-1 away Written off when they lost 2-1 at home to win. Sheriff Tiraspol in the group stage at the

Galaxy head Redbridge Jewish Care A in Bernabeu, Benzema, who is now favourite the table by just one point after 10 matches, to win the Ballon d’Or, led his team through third place Fairlop FC are fi ve points be- the knock out stages where they came from hind with two games in hand. behind to beat Paris St-Germain in the last

Rafi Bloom scored for Oakwood. 16, Chelsea in the quarterfinals then Man-

“It was a fantastic performance in a chester City in the semis before taking out Liverpool in the grand finale.

must-win game,” commented Galaxy player-manager Luke Lewis.

“We sat back and allowed Oakwood the ball, given the one-man advantage and looked to hit them on the counter attack with pace.

“Both goals came down the right-hand side. Leigh crossed the fi rst one into Cohen to fi nish, before slotting home himself. Up to fi rst we go.”

Th e Division Two title race also took a twist with league leaders Herstwood Vale going down to a 2-1 defeat at Temple Fortune.

Faithfold B have played a game more than Vale but moved level with a 5-3 win at North London Raiders Masters.

Jacob Kalms struck twice for Fortune who scored through leading scorer James Milletwith his 17th goal of the season.

Th e result was all the more remarkable as Temple were down to 11 players with ‘keeper Ben Rebuck dislocating a shoulder in the warm up.

“Th is was a fantastic win given the circumstances,” said delighted Fortune boss Simon Linden.

“We had a number of players out, Rebuck got injured, so I couldn’t have asked any more from the players. We wish Ben a speedy recovery.

“It was a proper old school performance, we battled and defended for the 90 minutes and took our chances. Experience proved to be the winner. It’s a big win, one we will enjoy and we hope to build on it in 2019.”

He added, “Th is win marks 50 years as a football club and will be one Nigel Kyte and everyone associated with the club from day

Sixteen-goal Lions rout Scrabble in Cup “It was a proper old school performance, we battled and defended for the 90 minutes and took our chances. Experience proved to be the winner.”

one will enjoy.” Vale boss Jacob Emanuel was quick to wish Rebuck well following his injury. “First and most importantly, everyone at Vale would like to wish the Fortune ‘keeper a quick recovery, we hope to see him back on the football pitch as soon as possible,” he said. As for the defeat, Emanuel commented, “It doesn’t matter how big a squad you have, you can never account for unavailability or injury. Only fi ve of today’s team played in our recent win over FC Team, a lack of togetherness and poor individual

16-goal Maccabi London Lions PHOTO: DAVID SAFFER Vinicius Junior scored the winner PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK Man of match Thibaut Courtois PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK