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As it happenedended

Juventus vs Real Madrid, Champions League final live: Ronaldo scores a brace as Real defend their title

All the action from the Champions League final at the National Stadium in Cardiff

Joe Miles
Saturday 03 June 2017 16:44 EDT
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(Getty)

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Real Madrid face Juventus in Saturday's Champions League final with the Spanish giants looking to secure a historic 12th European crown. It is the biggest game in European club football - possibly the world - and it is coming to British shores.

Follow all the action in the live blog below...

Please allow a moment for the blog to load...

What time does it start?

The game kicks off at 7.45pm BST on Saturday 3 June.

Where can I watch it?

The game will be shown live and for free on BT Sport Showcase (Freeview channel 115, Sky channel 414, Virgin channel 548) and for BT subscribers on BT Sport 2.

It will also be broadcast for free on the BT Sport website here, on YouTube here and on the BT Sport app.

Highlights will be shown on ITV1 at 10.45pm BST.

Preview

Defeat to Barcelona in April's memorable El Clasico ensured a tense finish to La Liga for Real Madrid but seven league wins in a row saw Zinedine Zidane's men wrap up the title on the final day of the season. The Spanish giants are looking to secure a historic 12th European crown on Saturday and will become the first side to defend the Champions League trophy should they win.

The big talking point for Real before Saturday is whether Gareth Bale will make the starting line-up in his hometown. The Welshman is struggling for match fitness after an ankle injury and admitted this week that he may not play the full 90 minutes. Isco is most likely to take his place.

Juventus enjoyed a more sedate climax to the Serie A season, cantering home to a sixth successive title as well as winning the Coppa Italia. But for all their domestic success, Juve's record in Europe is a disappointing one when compared to other big sides across the continent.

However, after dispatching Porto, Barcelona and neutrals' favourites Monaco on the way to the final and with manager Max Allegri having a fully fit squad to pick from, Juve will fancy their chances of picking up a third European crown.

It's a big game for...

Cristiano Ronaldo is looking to pick up his fourth Champions League crown as a player
Cristiano Ronaldo is looking to pick up his fourth Champions League crown as a player (Getty Images)

Cristiano Ronaldo: After turning 32 earlier this season, many questioned whether the Portuguese forward was past his best. While less likely to roam around the pitch and dominate the play as in his younger days, Ronaldo has now adapted his game to become one of the best poachers in Europe.

After notching 49 goals in as many appearances this season there would be no better way to prove the doubters wrong and cement his place as favourite for a fifth Ballon d'Or with a man of the match performance and a winners' medal on Saturday.

Remember when

It has been 19 years since these sides met in the Champions League final in Amsterdam. Real ran out 1-0 winners thanks to second-half strike from Predrag Mijatovic.

Zinedine Zidane, who played in midfield for Juve that day, will be hoping his evening turns out differently this Saturday.

Player to watch

Paulo Dybala has scored four times in the Champions League this season
Paulo Dybala has scored four times in the Champions League this season (Getty Images)

Paulo Dybala: The diminutive Argentine has been at the heart of everything for Juve this season, scoring 19 goals and providing seven assists.

Linked with a move away in the summer, a strong performance on Saturday would surely see him rated as one of the most expensive players in world football.

Past three meetings

Real Madrid 1 Juventus 1

Champions League, May 2015

Juventus 2 Real Madrid 1

Champions League, May 2015

Juventus 2 Real Madrid 2

Champions League, November 2013

Form

Real Madrid: WWLWWW

Juventus: WWLWWW

Odds

To win in 90 minutes

Real Madrid: 7/4

Juventus: 2/1

Draw: 9/4

Some half-time stats...

Possession: Juventus 46%-54% Real Madrid

Shots: Juventus 8-5 Real Madrid

Shots on target: Juventus 4-1 Real Madrid

Corners: Juventus 1-0 Real Madrid

Fouls: Juventus 10-13 Real Madrid

Vithushan Ehantharajah3 June 2017 20:40

We're underway for the second-half!

Vithushan Ehantharajah3 June 2017 20:51

47 mins: Khedira is in trouble for bundling over Casemiro in Real's half. Carvajal takes the set-piece short and Marcelo chips a long pass forward for Isco to chase down the left, but Barzagli beats him to the ball and pokes it behind for a corner. 

Vithushan Ehantharajah3 June 2017 20:53

48 mins: Nothing comes from the corner. Varane is whistled for shoving Bonucci. 

Vithushan Ehantharajah3 June 2017 20:54

50 mins: Concerning for Juventus. Bonucci stays down after receiving that knock. But after some treatment he's back on his feet and it looks as though he's going to be okay to continue. 

Vithushan Ehantharajah3 June 2017 20:56

52 mins: And now Dani Alves is down for Juventus! It looked like he clashed with Isco after he passed the ball.

Nope! Replays show that Marcelo raked his heel just before Isco slid in. A painful one, but again, he'll be okay to continue. A very stop-start start to the half. 

Vithushan Ehantharajah3 June 2017 20:57

53 mins: The ref has had enough. Khedira is the next player to hit the deck after Kroos jumped into a tackle and caught him on the shin. The ref books him. 

Vithushan Ehantharajah3 June 2017 20:58

55 mins: Superb first-touch from Modric around thirty yards out from goal. He flicks himself into some space and then takes on the shot from distance, blasting the ball towards goal. 

It's a good effort, but Buffon is behind hit and saves well. 

Vithushan Ehantharajah3 June 2017 21:00

58 mins: Real Madrid are building-up their play patiently, with Isco looking particularly threatening between the lines. He ghosts his way past Pjanic and lays off Marcelo, who whips in a cross aimed at Ronaldo at the back stick.

But Alex Sandro does just enough to put the forward off. Moments later, Isco blasts wide.

Vithushan Ehantharajah3 June 2017 21:04

GOAL! Juventus 1-2 Real Madrid (Casemiro '60)

So unlucky for Juventus, Buffon looks distraught. Casemiro scores with a long range strike that clips the heels of Khedira and flies into the bottom corner of the net. 

Vithushan Ehantharajah3 June 2017 21:07

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