3 Substitute players who won the Champions League for their respective clubs

#3 Gareth Bale (UEFA CL final 2017-18)

Bale scored that terrific overhead kick in the 2018 Champions League final

Bale did not get a place in Real Madrid's starting line-up as they faced Liverpool in the Champions League final in 2018.

However, in a dramatic first half, both the teams lost a player each to injury as both Mohamed Salah and Dani Carvajal left the field. Real took the lead in the second half only for Liverpool to strike back through Sadio Mane a few minutes later.

However, Gareth Bale was introduced in the second half itself and made an immediate impact as he scored with an outrageously good overhead kick. It was undoubtedly one of the best goals scored in the history of the Champions League.

Bale scored another goal through a long-range effort as the Liverpool goalie fumbled and allowed the ball to go in. However, that blunder by the goalkeeper does not take any credit away from Bale, who was stupendous in the match and rightly adjudged the player of the final.

About the author

Subhadeep, an adept tennis journalist at Sportskeeda, has been writing about the sport for seven years. He is known for his exclusive match reviews and opinion pieces, utilizing his MBA degree to tackle them effectively with his problem-solving abilities.

Subhadeep lives and breathes tennis. He watches matches regularly and engages in social media platforms to stay on top of the latest happenings. As a writer, he brings the fan's perspective to his pieces, ensuring his readers enjoy an exceptional experience every time.

Growing up, he idolized Boris Becker, but he now firmly believes Novak Djokovic stands alone as the 'Greatest of all Time', especially considering the 24-time Grand Slam champion's incredible stats. One thing that still puzzles Subhadeep, however, is how Becker's Wimbledon tally might have reached five if not for Pete Sampras.

Speaking of the All England Club, the British Major holds a special place in his heart as he admires its blend of tradition and grass-court excellence. When not working for Sportskeeda, Subhadeep delves into the other "love of his life": football, and enjoys contributing his insights to different websites dedicated to the sport.

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Edited by Debjyoti Samanta