Real Madrid 3-1 Liverpool - Champions League: 3 things that went right for Madrid 

#1 Gareth Bale's impactful substitution

Gareth Bale stakes his claim with a match-winning performance

Left on the bench in yet another Champions League final, Gareth Bale was introduced in place of Isco only in the second half but boy did he make the most of the opportunity!

After Sadio Mane's goal in the 55th minute brought Liverpool level, Zinedine Zidane decided to inject his side with raw pace as he brought on Gareth Bale in a move that almost immediately paid dividends.

Haring into position, Bale only took 3 minutes to make his first impression of the game as he found himself on the receiving end of a cross from Marcelo, before rising acrobatically to stun the crowd with one of the best overhead kicks ever. What a time and place to do it.

19 minutes later, Bale found himself with all the space he needed as the Welshman, high on confidence, smashed a long-range effort at full power, albeit straight at Karius. However, such was the force on the shot that Karius could do little to alter the course of the ball, let alone save it.

Here's a glimpse of the stunning overhead goal:

The goal that changed the game! #UCLfinal #ChampionsLeagueFinal #RealMadrid #HalaMadrid #GarethBale #ThreePeat #Champions #Fifa #Spain #Goal #BALE #Fox #Soccer #UCL #Support #Media #Follow #Sports #News #Updates #TBFV pic.twitter.com/ibkA16Kphs

— TBFV (@TeamTBFV) May 26, 2018