Real Madrid down Liverpool in Kiev to win third straight Uefa Champions League title - in pictures

Two goals from Gareth Bale and one for Karim Benzema led the Spanish side to victory

Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos lifts the trophy as they celebrate winning the Champions League. Kai Pfaffenbach / Reuters

Real Madrid's Marcelo celebrates with the trophy after winning the Champions League. Matthias Schrader / AP Photo

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo holds up five fingers representing his five Champions League wins. Hannah McKay / Reuters

Real Madrid players celebrate their win. Robert Ghement / EPA

Loris Karius of Liverpool looks dejected after the defeat. David Ramos / Getty Images

Real Madrid's Gareth Bale celebrates scoring their second goal. Hannah McKay / Reuters

Real Madrid's Gareth Bale scores their second goal with a spectacular overhead kick. Kai Pfaffenbach / Reuters

Sadio Mane consoles team mate Mohamed Salah l as he leaves the pitch injured. Laurence Griffiths / Getty Images

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah lies on the pitch after a collision with Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos. Darko Vojinovic / AP Photo

Liverpool's Roberto Firmino in action with Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos. Hannah McKay / Reuters

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo evades Liverpool's Georginio Wijnaldum. Michael Regan / Getty Images

General view of the stadium in Kiev before the final. Valentyn Ogirenko / Reuters

Real Madrid were crowned Uefa Champions League winners for a record third successive year on Saturday after a 3-1 victory over Liverpool in Kiev.

French striker Karim Benzema scored the opening goal for the Spanish giants before Sadio Mane pulled one back for the Premier League side.

However, a moment of brilliance from substitute Gareth Bale restored Madrid's lead, before the Welsh winger grabbed his second when Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius palmed his long-range effort into his own net.

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Real Madrid beat Liverpool to Uefa Champions League - as it happened

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Victory in Ukraine ensured Madrid became the first team in the Champions League era to win the tournament for three successive years, extending the record they achieved last year by successfully defending the title. They have now won the tournament four times in the past five years.

For the best pictures from the NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, browse through the photo gallery above. To move on to the next image, click on the arrows, or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.