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Real Madrid were proclaimed UEFA Youth League champions for the first time in their history on Tuesday, after beating Benfica in a thrilling final (2-3), played in Nyon (Switzerland). The leading role fell on Sergio Arribas, author of two assists, and goalkeeper Luis López, who stopped a penalty 20 minutes from time.
"Look, I have experienced beautiful things at this club, but this is comparable to other great moments that I have been able to experience as a player," said the coach of the team, Raúl González, who currently manages Castilla and had to take over the youth team to this tournament before the departure of Dani Poyatos to Panathinaikos.
“Congratulate the guys because it is an important step for their career. It is also an award for all the people who have worked in the quarry. Congratulations to all Madridistas because this belongs to everyone ”, added the historic former Madrid striker.
The Madrid cubs were able to contain the Portuguese momentum in the first minutes to end up taking control of the leather. Proof of this is that at half an hour the 0-1 came with a great header from Pablo Rodríguez in a measured center of Arribas. The goal was the confirmation of several previous warnings.
Three minutes after scoring, Pablo had to leave the pitch injured, but the Whites did not suffer because they achieved the 0-2 with a minute of rest. A play by Arribas on the right side culminated in a faulty clearance by Portuguese defender Henrique Jocu and left the game practically seen for sentence.
But nothing could be further from the truth, the stake won in excitement with the 1-2 four minutes after the restart. Gonçalo Ramos added spice, although Miguel Gutiérrez returned to land in between at 30 seconds. The Portuguese found the 2-3 in a header from Ramos and those of Raúl still had to suffer in the final stage. A penalty from Pablo Ramón, who jammed an opponent before its launch, could have changed everything, but uis López did not allow extra time. The Murcian stretched out and sealed the final 2-3 although there were still 20 minutes remaining.
It is the first European triumph for Real Madrid at the youth level, in a competition that has held seven editions to date. The whites succeed Porto, the 2019 champions, and are the second Spanish team to win the list after Barcelona, the 2014 and 2018 champions.
