THIBAUT COURTOIS

It was only a week ago that Liverpool stood on the cusp of immortality.

For many, especially Liverpool fans, pre-match crowd problems overshadowed this final.

For many, especially Liverpool fans, pre-match crowd problems overshadowed this final.

Brazil winger Vinícius Júnior applied a close-range finish in the 59th minute from Federico Valverde's drive across the face of goal.

Real Madrid became European champion for a record-extending 14th time after beating Liverpool 1-0 in a Champions League final that started 37 minutes late because of disturbing crowd issues outside the Stade de France.

Real Madrid has done it again.

Manchester City just couldn’t shake off Real Madrid in the Champions League.

Belgium held Cristiano Ronaldo scoreless and defeated defending champion Portugal 1-0 to advance to the quarterfinals of the European Championship.

Denmark played for the first time since Christian Eriksen collapsed on the field during a European Championship match and lost to Belgium 2-1.

(AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)BARCELONA Karim Benzema helped Real Madrid move one step closer to dethroning Lionel Messis Barcelona on Friday. Benzema scored one goal and set up another to lead Madrid to beating Alavs 2-0 and restoring a four-point lead over Barcelona in the Spanish league with only three rounds left. Benzema scored a penalty kick in the 11th minute and assisted Marco Asensio in the 50th to ensure an eighth straight victory since La Liga resumed play after stopping for three months due to the pandemic. His 18th league goal of the season is second only to Messis 22. Madrid took full control just after halftime when Benzema broke Alavs offside trap to reach Rodrygos through-ball.