Gareth Bale hit a screamer as Real Madrid were comfortable 3-1 victors over Liverpool in the Champions League final in Kiev.
A bizarre Loris Karius mistake allowed Karim Benzema to score the opener early in the second half but Liverpool, who lost PFA Player of the Year Mohamed Salah to a shoulder injury in the first half, responded immediately when Sadio Mane stabbed in from close range.
However, just three minutes after coming on as a substitute, Bale restored Real's lead with one of the best goals ever seen in a Champions League final, connecting superbly with Marcelo's defected cross.
Mane hit the post soon after but Liverpool's hopes of a sixth European Cup were ended when Karius made another costly mistake, this time failing to get any direction on his attempt to push away Bale's fierce strike, with the ball squirming into the net.
Liverpool famously fought back from 3-0 down against AC Milan to win the 2005 Champions League but there was to be no heroic fight back this time as Real Madrid claimed their 13th European Cup.
A proud of Bale stated afterwards: "Obviously I was very disappointed not to start the game, I felt I deserved it but the manager makes the decisions. The best I have been doing is to come on and make an impact, I certainly did.
"It has to be the best goal in a Champions League final, there is no bigger stage. I am just happy to get the win
"It is a team game but when you are a substitute, it is a game of more than 11 players. I made an impact.
"We know what we have achieved and how good we have been. The league was disappointing but we won the Champions League. It turns out to be a great season.
"We let everyone else speak. We know how hungry we are in the changing room, how prepared and motivated we are."
Asked about his future: "I need to be playing week in, week out and that has not happened this season. I had an injury five, six weeks in but fit ever since. I have to sit down with my agent in the summer and discuss it."