Real Madrid, the Kings of Europe - UEFA Champions League final review

#2 Gareth Bale, the unexpected hero

Sensational strike!

The Welshman may have just turned his Real Madrid career on its head. There were widespread speculations about who Zidane would choose for the final, this ended when he picked Isco over Gareth Bale in attack.

It might have had more to do with Zidane's choice of going with a diamond formation in the midfield than to simply pick Isco. But Real looked out of ideas in attack during the first half and could hardly create anything significant in the final third.

Then on came Gareth Bale, and within ten minutes of his introduction, scored one of the most memorable goals in the history of Champions League football. It was like a replay of what Ronaldo had done earlier in the competition against Juventus. And later, Bale put another one past Karius, albeit due to an error by the German.

Crowned MOTM, Bale was visibly happy with all the limelight he was receiving and deservedly so. And even in the post-match conference, he wasn't shy to point out he needs more game time.

And he might get that next season, even without having to go anywhere, especially now Cristiano Ronaldo is gone. For now, it looks like the Cardiff express will stay in Madrid.