There was one moment that might have been forgotten among the tension and electric anticipation that surrounded that victorious night in Madrid.
Under pressure from Heung-Min Son in the first half, Joël Matip picked out a cool-headed pass to Andy Robertson that belied the drama and gravity of the game.
The ball to Robbo in space down the left was so precise and intelligent, turning defence into attack in a matter of seconds.
The Scot lapped it up, rampaged down the wing – eating all the vacant space – and let fly with a venemous shot from outside the box.
If it had gone in, Matip would have chalked up a first Champions League assist for the Reds; instead, he waited until the dying embers of the game to prod the ball to Divock Origi to seal the win in Madrid.
Watch the video here:
1 year ago Matip could hardly pass the ball straight.
1 year on he is stringing passes like that.
That’s what belief in your own abilities can make you achieve.
The underrated unsung hero, Joel Matip. pic.twitter.com/Nk27QKr5eb
— Sarib Khalil (@sarib_khalil) June 2, 2019
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Video: Robertson nearly bags one of the CL goals of the season with effort vs Spurs in final