For the second time, Real Madrid has become the first club to win three consecutive European Cup finals. Real Madrid has written another chapter in the history of the UEFA Champions League. The 3-1 victory over Liverpool in Kyiv was their third final victory in a succession, making them the first team to accomplish it on several occasions.
The previous record was held by Ajax, who won three consecutive titles from 1992 to 1994. Like Real Madrid, they too faced Liverpool in all three finals.
The first final was played at Wembley Stadium on May 26, 1992. The score was 1-0 to Real Madrid after only 15 minutes of play when Davor Šuker scored an own goal. In the second final four years later at the same stadium, Roberto Carlos gave his side a lead early in the second half but Michael Owen scored twice within eight minutes to make it 3-1 and send the game into extra time. Finally, in the last finale in Kiev, Iker Casillas saved a penalty kick from Steven Gerrard in the 89th minute to secure the title for Real Madrid.
Ajax also had two finals during its three-year run. They were defeated 2-0 by Milan in the first final and 4-3 on penalties by Manchester United in the second one.
So, both these legendary clubs have now won three consecutive European Cups. They are the first teams to do so.
Real Madrid's official website The Champions League and European Cup have been won by a total of 22 clubs. Real Madrid has the most victories in the competition, having won it thirteen times, including the initial edition. Finals timetable
| Season | 1957–58 | |
|---|---|---|
| Winners | Team | Real Madrid |
| Score | 3–2 | |
| Runners-up | Nation | ITA |
| Team | Milan |
Real Madrid Real Madrid are by far the most successful team in European Cup history, having taken home the prestigious trophy a total of 13 times... Clubs with the most titles in the UEFA Champions League from 1955 to 2021.
| Characteristic | UEFA Champions League titles |
|---|---|
| AC Milan | 7 |
| Liverpool FC | 6 |
| FC Bayern München | 6 |
Real Madrid's official website Real Madrid is by far the most successful team in European Cup history, having won the famous cup 13 times in total. Los Blancos' closest championship challengers are AC Milan, who have won the Champions League seven times, most recently against Liverpool in 2007. Other major winners include Juventus, Manchester United and Bayern Munich, all of whom have six titles to their name.
In fact, only three other teams have ever won the European Cup: Ajax, Benfica and Steaua Bucuresti. The Dutch club has been victorious the most times with 10 victories, while Barcelona and Real Madrid have each won nine times.
The first European Cup was played in 1956, and since then, only one final has not featured one of the big two: Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur in 1977. However, both these English clubs were disqualified after they participated in political demonstrations during the tournament. This year's final will be the 20th European Cup/European Championship/Champions League event.
The most recent winner is Real Madrid, who defeated Chelsea 4-1 on June 1, 2012 at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, Spain. Dermot Corrigan scored the first goal in Irish football history when he netted for Dublin City against Dundee United in the first round of the 1956-57 European Cup.
Real Madrid is by far the most successful team in European Cup history, having won the famous cup 13 times in total. Other major winners include Juventus, Bayern Munich and A.C. Milan.
The first European Cup was played in 1956, and since then only Real Madrid has been able to win it twice more.
The current champions are Manchester United, who beat Chelsea 4-1 on Wednesday night to claim their third title in four years. The Red Devils were undefeated during the tournament until they met Barcelona at Old Trafford in the final.
They came back from 1-4 down to win 5-4 on penalties after a 2-2 draw after extra time. Paul Scholes scored the winning penalty for Man United. This is their second title following three previous finals lost.
Barcelona had also been victorious in 1991 and 1995 but this was their last trophy until 2008. Since then, they have failed to add any more titles to their cabinet.
Other big names that have won the European Cup include Benfica, Ajax, F.C. Porto, Hamburg SV, H.S.G. Hoffenheim and A.S. Roma.
The Spanish club is also the only side to have retained the trophy after winning it for a record 11 consecutive times from 1957 to 1967.
FC Barcelona is the second most successful team in Europe with nine titles to its name. It all started back in 1931 when the club defeated Haka 1-0 at home to claim its first ever major title. Since then, Barca has been one of the most successful clubs in world football and has always been among the top three or four teams in Europe.
Other notable names are Juventus, Bayern Munich, and A.S. Roma who each have seven titles to their names. Of these teams, only Juventus and Bayern Munich have managed to retain the trophy after winning it twice.
In fact, only five out of 16 current European champions were also present during the inaugural season. These five clubs are Ajax, Benfica, FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Milan who have all won the trophy at least once.
Currently, only two clubs remain undefeated after their first game of the season: Real Madrid and Barcelona.
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